Charlize Theron In The Running To Join Robert Downey Jr. In Paul Thomas Anderson's INHERENT VICE

Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master turned out to have mixed reviews and audience/awards reception. The director is moving forward with his next project that could be more commercially successful which based on Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice. It's being confirmed by Showbiz411 that Robert Downey Jr. will star in the film along with the addition of Oscar winner Charlize Theron among the actresses (more names on their way) in the mix for the female lead. Theron recently wrapped production on George Miller's Mad Max Fury Road that stars Tom Hardy.

Interesting Poster For THE MASTER

Ambyr Childers Joins Gangster Squad

Deadline reports that newcomer Ambyr Childers has joined Ruben Fleischer's (Zombieland) Gangster Squad. Ambyr recently landed a role in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) The Master playing the daughter of a faith leader played by Philip Seymore Hoffman.

The film currently stars Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, Anthony Mackie, Mireille Enos (The Killing), Michael Pena, Josh Pence (Dark Knight Rises, Social Network), Giovanni Ribisi and Robert Patrick (Terminator 2).

Madisen Beaty Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's Master

FilmStage has confirmed that young actress Madisen Beaty (Benjamin Button) has joined Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights) The Master. The religious drama already stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons, David Warshofsky, Laura Dern, Lena Endre and Rami Malek.

Amy Adams Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master

Deadline reports three time Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams (Man of Steel, The Fighter, Doubt, Junebug) has nabbed the female lead in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) The Master. It focuses on Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), who returns from WWII and starts a religion not unlike Scientology, taking Freddie Sutton (Phoenix), a former alcoholic, under his wing. Amy has been cast as Dodd’s wife who acts as his caretaker and vigilant lieutenant.

The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights, Observe & Report), Lena Endre (Millennium Trilogy), David Warshofsky and Laura Dern (Wild At Heart). Originally the wife role had Reese Witherspoon attached along with Jeremy Renner for Sutton but it didn't work out. It starts production within the month so more casting announcements are expected.

Robert Downey Jr. Takes Interest In Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice

Deadline reports that Robert Downey Jr. is interested in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) adaptation of the novel Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon. The film follows Larry "Doc" Sportello, a private eye based in Los Angeles in the late 1960s. He's a believer in the psychedelic free-love era, and his case involves an ex-girlfriend, her real estate billionaire boyfriend and a kidnapping.

This news means it's not looking good for Anderson's Scientology drama The Master. That project had some interest from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeremy Renner and Reese Witherspoon. It's likely the touchy subject of Scientology could have been too controversial for Paramount. Anyhow, I'm on board for anything Anderson wants to make. Yet this new project sounds slightly more interesting to me.

While Vice might be next for Anderson, Downey has a few commitments with Marvel first. He'll be shooting Avengers in April and for most of the the summer.  I expect it will be less of a workload than Iron Man 3 which could shoot during or after Avengers. There has been lots of reports of Downey being interested in projects but ending up turning them down. Just a few include Gravity and Oz, The Great & Powerful. It sounds promising seeing these two work together but nothing is for sure yet.