Director Paul Thomas Anderson Updates Progress on THE MASTER; Also Provides the First Image of Philip Seymour Hoffman in Character

Director Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood) has kindly provided an update on the status of his recently rescued project, The Master.  As the picture is being shot in 65mm film, Anderson provided a first image (of sorts) of star Philip Seymour Hoffman (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead) in character. Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Jesse Plemons and David Warshovsky also star in the drama about a man (Hoffman) so shaken by the horrors of World War II that he creates a new religion.  Anderson’s There Will Be Blood composer, Johnny Greenwood, is scoring the film.  The Master is aiming for an October 12th release.  Hit the jump to read the message from Anderson and to take a look at the first images.

Anderson posted an update over at Cigarettes and Red Vines, along with some behind-the-scenes images.  Take a look:

CJ -
good evening.  it’s been so long
and you’ve been so patient, thought
i’d fill you in on where we’re
at with it now:

These shots include our lovely
Negative Cutter, Simone, imported
all the way from France to cut 65mm
negative.   She does it all with a pair
of scissors from Staples.

I’ll have more to share in the
coming days/weeks/months.  Hope
you’re well. Thank you for all the support.

See you soon.
paul.

The folks over at Cigs and Red Vines were also kind enough to “develop” the film negative image in order to take an educated guess at what the finished shot might look like.  An eagle eye can spot Hoffman in the center in character as the titular Master: