Paul Thomas Anderson has always had comedic elements in his films going all the way back to HARD EIGHT. But, those moments of levity were generally there to offset the heavy dramatic nature of the material. But, I never expected Anderson to work on anything exclusively in the comedy genre.
During an interview with MovieHole, Anderson was asked about his wife, Maya Rudolph, who is best known as a former SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE castmember and star of BRIDESMAIDS. They asked Anderson if he would ever think about making a movie along those same lines. His answer was a bit surprising:
“You mean like full blown comedy? Soon hopefully. I have to write it. It sounds daunting. [laughter] I’d like to make a film like AIRPLANE. That never gets old. Or TED. It was a big hit. Why? Because It’s great. Movies that are that big a hit are never f*cking bad. I mean, there’s no such… You know, people aren’t that stupid, that movie’s a hit because it’s hilarious. I hope [Seth MacFarlane] makes another film.”
Anderson’s next project is an adaptation of INHERENT VICE, based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon. That is going to definitely be for fans of THE MASTER and THERE WILL BE BLOOD. But, the idea of a PT Anderson comedy is very interesting. My gut instinct was that it would be more Wes Anderson than Seth McFarlane. I have a hard time bringing the filmography of PT Anderson in line with that kind of film. Earlier in the same interview, Anderson said he would be intrigued to direct an action movie like DIE HARD but is not a fan of the work involved with the special effects. A comedy would require no real effects work and would keep with the analysis of the human condition that weaves through all of his movies.
What remains to be seen is if this comedy project ends up being an adaptation or original work. I would love to see him reunite with Adam Sandler. I loved PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE because it took Sandler out of his familiar territory as an actor. if Anderson could make a comedy with Sandler, it would instantly restore Sandler’s credibility as an actor.