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Universal Passes on P.T. Anderson's Next, But Renner Joins?

by Ethan Anderton
March 17, 2010
Source: Deadline

Back in December we reported on news that writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson was finally casting Philip Seymour Hoffman in the lead role of his upcoming and still untitled drama about a charismatic intellectual who hatches a faith-based organization that begins to catch on in America in 1952. Apparently Universal was looking to distribute, but Deadline reports that poor box office returns last weekend on the expensive action flick Green Zone mean the $35 million budget for Anderson's film was just too pricey for them to take the risk. Yeah, Universal, keep making movies like Wolfman and you'll be rolling in the profits.

So Anderson, with his consistently stellar work that doesn't go unnoticed comes awards time, is looking for new financiers and distributors, but I don't think he'll have too hard of a problem finding one. Apparently River Road (who has helped films like Terrence Malick's Tree of Life and Doug Liman's CIA leak/Valerine Plane story get off the ground) is already having serious talks about picking up Universal's loss. Along with this news, they also say Jeremy Renner, fresh off his Oscar nomination for The Hurt Locker, is circling the role of Freddie, a twenty-something drifter who becomes the leader's lieutenant. As the faith begins to gain a fervent following, Freddie finds himself questioning the belief system he embraced, and his mentor.

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jeremy Renner? Yes, please! Hoffman is one of my favorite actors of all-time and Renner has come a long way since crap like S.W.A.T., so I really hope that River Road or whoever has the cash money to finance this P.T. Anderson (also one of my favorite filmmakers) flick steps up. This will be a big regret for Universal as that studio sits dead in the water losing tons of money by making shitty movies. This is the studio that is responsible for Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and more recently The Bourne Trilogy, but now they make nothing but garbage and pass on projects like this. Keep up the good work guys!

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Opinions

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http://www.themoviemash.com Barrett

"Jeremey Renner...is circling the role of Freddie, a twenty-something drifter who becomes the leader's lieutenant." Isn't he almost 40? I mean he looks young, but that's kind of an age stretch. I do hope this works out though. Imagine how John Travolta, Tom Cruise, etc. would react to a movie about Scientology. Could be extremely controversial. Fingers crossed.
People's Champ

Green Zone didnt look good to begin with. If they were going to spend $35 mill, they would want the movie to make at least $75 million. With the subject matter in this film, good luck! It might bring in $15-$20 million. Hoffman or Renner doesnt have any box office clot.
DiR3cT

Well I hope he can secure finance and distribution asap, because I can't wait to see another one of his films.
Sharlto

Come on Universal, anything with P.T. Anderson at the helm is worth investing in. I frickin love his work. Hope this gets rollin soon.
Steve

Stupid premise, the movie would lose money.
jimmey

#5 Nothing P.T.A. has done up to this point has been stupid. Show the man a little respect, seriously.
Robert patinson should be dead.

HATE renner, didn't deserve that oscar nomination at all. (he's still a shitty actor) P.T. ANDERSON AND HOFFMAN GOLD.
SlashBeast

Well, given PT Anderson's penchant for making expensive bombs, this is not surprising.