Paul Thomas Anderson’s San Fernando Valley movie may shift over to MGM

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

I'm always eager to see what Paul Thomas Anderson has up his sleeve, and the director has been quietly developing his next feature, which is said to be a period movie set in San Fernando Valley in the 1970s.

The last we heard, the project was looking to find a home at Focus Features, the same studio which distributed his last film, PHANTOM THREAD, but Deadline has heard that the film looks to be jumping from Focus Features to MGM. While neither studio would confirm, it's not clear why the project is moving, although Deadline wonders if the production was shaping up to be too costly for Focus. We don't have too many details regarding the project, but it's reportedly set to feature intersecting storylines but will center around a high-school student who also happens to be a successful child actor. This won't be the first time that Paul Thomas Anderson has returned to the San Fernando Valley for a film, as BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA, and PUNCH DRUNK LOVE all took place in the region. When the project was still destined for Focus Features, studio chairman Peter Kujawski said, "There is simply no other filmmaker like Paul Thomas Anderson. He is a true original who consistently mesmerizes fans with unparalleled vision and storytelling. We are beyond thrilled to be teaming up once again with Paul, JoAnne and Daniel."

Which is your favourite Paul Thomas Anderson film?