Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film to star Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall

The acclaimed director of Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson, is teaming up with Warner Bros for his next project, an untitled film that will feature an impressive cast of Oscar winners and nominees, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall.

The film is expected to start production this year in California, with Anderson writing and producing the script.

According to Deadline, the film is set in a contemporary setting and is the most commercial one that Anderson has ever attempted, with a budget that reflects more mass-market appeal. The plot details are still being kept secret, but the film will have a large ensemble cast that is yet to be announced. Anderson is known for his ensemble films, such as Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Inherent Vice.

The film marks the second collaboration between Anderson and Warner Bros, after Licorice Pizza, which was produced by MGM when Warner Bros Picture Group co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy were running the studio. Licorice Pizza received three Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director, and was praised by critics and audiences alike.

The film also represents a major coup for Warner Bros, which has been struggling to compete with other studios in recent years. The studio hopes to change the narrative with some exciting projects in the pipeline, such as the Tom Cruise strategic alliance, the Paul Greengrass adaptation of Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 421, and the Robert Pattinson sci-fi thriller Mickey 17.

The film’s stars are also in high demand, with DiCaprio, Penn, and Hall having busy schedules and multiple projects in the works. DiCaprio is coming off the success of Killers of the Flower Moon, the Martin Scorsese epic that has him in the Oscar race along with Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone. Penn is starring in Daddio, a drama with Dakota Johnson that was a festival favorite, and Gonzo Girl, a comedy directed by Patricia Arquette. Hall is starring in Odessa, a rock opera by Geremy Jasper, and Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul, a satire by Adamma Ebo. She also executive produced Gonzo Girl and appeared in Peacock’s The Best Man: The Final Chapter.

The film is expected to be released sometime in 2024 or 2025, depending on the production schedule and the pandemic situation. Fans of Anderson and the cast can look forward to a potentially groundbreaking film that will showcase the talents of some of the best actors and filmmakers in the industry.