Filmed on Mare Island off the coast of northern California, the production is making use of both a local mansion as well as the USS Potamac, a former presidential yacht that is docked on the island

Industry rumor has it that Will Smith won’t commit to the lead in Quentin Tarantino’s film due to the Weinsteins’ involvement with Paul T Anderson’s Scientology project. And the crew on Anderson’s project was told to publicly deny any similarities between the faith in the film and Scientology, or face losing their jobs. The “challenges” to this production are far from over.

Yeah Will's no scientologist!

Do you think the Smiths are being honest about the school's Scientology affiliation?

Yes, it seems like they have made it clear they aren't Scientologists - and neither is their school. 21%

No. There are too many Scientology connections here. 71%

Not sure. 8%

The restored World War II aircraft carrier was a backdrop for a movie being filmed about post-war life. Film industry websites suggest that the film is based on the life of L. Ron Hubbard, who served in the Navy in World War II and later founded the Church of Scientology

Monday, September 12, 2011
The Master Wraps, Probably Isn't About Scientology Still

One of the single, most common things in sports is having the general manager come out publicly and start insisting that whatever rumor about this player or that manager is dominating the press is 100% not happening or untrue. And then a week or two later, whatever was reported usually happens.

At a wrap-party for Ides Of March, one of the writers from Hollywood Elsewhere caught up with Philip Seymour Hoffman (allegedly known as "Philly" in that group) and he asked him directly about some of the endless Master/Scientology reports.

Their conversation:

PSH: "It's not a scientology film."

HE: "But I've read an early draft and it seems to be about a Scientology-like cult...and I've read about the parallels."

PSH: "I don't know what you've heard and what script you've read...Trust me, it's not about Scientology."
So there you have it officially from The Master's mouth. It is, or is not, about Scientology. Sleep well until around December when we'll actually have the answer and perhaps the first teaser trailer.

“The Master” Official Synopsis Released
Archived on November 12, 2011

An official plot synopsis has been released for the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson film titled, The Mater. The project sees Anderson reteaming with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who takes the lead on this, with a brilliant supporting cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Laura Dern.

“Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Thomas Anderson (the acclaimed director of, There Will Be Blood, Magnolia and Boogie Nights), this story stars Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and Academy Award-nominee Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line). Set in America in the years following World War II, a charismatic intellectual (Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization and taps a young drifter (Phoenix) as his right-hand man. But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor. A truly one-of-a-kind drama, which promises magnetic virtuoso performances, the film marks the fifth collaboration between Anderson and Hoffman, following Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch Drunk Love.”

The film will be Phoenix’s first film following his “exit” from the acting world with his mockumentary, I’m Still Here. The film is now in post-production, so hopefully we’ll be getting some actual images from it soon, and with any luck a title too.

The Weinstein Company picked up the worldwide distribution rights just before Cannes this year, and though there’s still no word on a release date yet, I’m hoping it will be coming sooner rather than later. ( Source: http://tinyurl.com/d47b364 )

After what seems like years of speculation and delays, Paul Thomas Anderson is in post-production on The Master, his film that is either a lot or a little inspired by the life and work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The movie stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as the title character, with Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern and many more appearing as well.

And now it seems that Anderson has turned to Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood to score the film, just as he did with There Will Be Blood.

[...]

The Weinstein Company will release The Master, hopefully after a debut for the movie at Cannes. There is no US release date set at this point, but a late 2012 release seems likely, with the 2013 date in the tweet possibly either an erroneous assumption, or the target window for territories outside the US.

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays “a man who returns after witnessing the horrors of WWII and tries to rediscover who he is in post-war America. He creates a belief system, something that catches on with other lost souls.”

[...Full article in link...]

We had a feeling this would be the case but for some reason that doesn't make it any less thrilling to see it confirmed: Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood is returning to score 'The Master.' His work on "There Will Be Blood" was brilliant and undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film so it's an absolute joy to hear that he'll be back for another round. This news comes via a tweet on 12/2 by British record label Babel founder Oliver Weindling that said simply, "Zed-U recorded part of soundtrack for Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead last week. Film (by Paul Thomas Anderson) to appear in 2013." Zed-U is a British jazz trio signed to Mr. Weindling's label that are apparently being employed by Mr. Greenwood on the soundtrack. You can check out a few videos of the group below.

A commenter has pointed out that it's likely true the films U.K. release would be in 2013 if it's still on track for a late 2012 U.S. release. Crisis averted.

@babellabel
Oliver Weindling.
Zed-U recorded part of soundtrack for Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead last week. Film (by Paul Thomas Anderson) to appear in 2013.
2 Dec via web

One of the most anticipated movies of 2012 (or maybe 2013) is Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, his first since There Will Be Blood. A 1950s period drama, the movie follows a drifter (Joaquin Phoenix) drawn into the fold of a charismatic leader (the Master of the title, a.k.a. Philip Seymour Hoffman) espousing a newly created pseudo-religious belief system ("the Cause") to an increasingly devoted following. The drifter finds himself equally drawn to the Master's daughter (Amy Adams). All of these ingredients would be enough to guarantee attention, but why not add some Scientology into the mix, just for fun?

Several observers have noticed parallels between the story of the Master and his Cause, and the founding of Scientology by L. Ron Hubbard. There are few more potentially dangerous lightning rods in Hollywood productions than making the Church of Scientology angry, as who wants to wake up with John Travolta leaning over your bed, brandishng an E-meter and complaining about your dirty aura. Nevertheless, Anderson and his people deny there is any Scientological allegory in play, so it remains to be seen if The Master will stir up audience acclaim or a nest of angry Thetans, or both.

Meanwhile, photographer Jack Erling was lucky enogh to snap a few photos of the action backstage during filming of The Master, catching extras in costume between takes. No celebs, but you can get a first taste of that vintage Anderson flavor.

Well this was not the news we expected to wake up to this morning. Though it's far from a done deal, we've received word that 'The Master' (or Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project or whatever it ends up being titled) is looking at an October release date! (So we can now officially put those 2013 rumors to rest). How did we come across this information? Well, by none other than Annapurna founder Megan Ellison herself, who was kind enough to drop us a line this morning on Twitter.

@cigsandredvines I know you guys are waiting on a release date for 'the Master', and it's still a bit early, but I'd keep my eyes on October

There are a few interesting things to note about this. This would pretty much rule out those Cannes rumors, which we had figured were a long shot anyway and put it on track to come out around the same time as "Punch-Drunk Love," though that film had premiered at Cannes and NYFF beforehand. Assuming that The Weinstein Co. will want to go the festival route with this one too, 'The Master' might try to score a spot at the New York Film Festival (which typically runs around that time) where 'PDL' and "Boogie Nights" both had their premieres. "There Will Be Blood" had a secret World Premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin around that same time back in 2007 but it looks like that fest is running a little earlier this year (as are Venice and TIFF) so let's just go ahead and cross our fingers that "October" means a firm release date. Time will tell. Whatever ends up happening we're 7 months away from getting a look at the film and we could not be any more excited.

Check out 'The Master' cast and follow the entire history of the project here.