There’s been quite a bit of news about Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film — you can catch up here, here and here.
The latest is that more actors have joined the film, which already stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Regina King and Chase Infiniti. It’s currently in production and will continue to shoot until, at least, March.
Alana Haim, who made her acting debut in PTA’s “Licorice Pizza”, and Teyana Taylor (“A Thousand and One”) have been added to the cast, along with Wood Harris and Shayna McHayle.
Taylor was the vibrant lead in the 2023 Sundance winner “A Thousand and One,” if you’ve seen that film then you know of her talents. She won the National Board of Review’s Best Breakthrough Performance for that role.
Haim was the lead in PTA’s “Licorice Pizza”, and is part of the rock band Haim, for which Anderson has shot several music videos. She gave a wonderful performance in “Licorice Pizza,” and it was equally impressive that the film was her acting debut.
I don’t know much about Harris — his credits include “Creed III” and the LeBron James biopic, “Shooting Stars”. He’s now poised to break out for being cast in PTA’s next film. Ditto Rapper/actress McHayle, mostly known for “Support the Girls”, and Netflix’s “The Perfect Find”.
No official word on whether this project is a contemporary “Vineland,” but that’s where the rumors are pointing. Also, who is the cinematographer on this one? Some have pointed out Robert Elswit in some of the on-set photos, but it remains to be seen if that was actually him.