Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming religious drama, tentatively titled, "The Master" could be in a bit of trouble.  Rumored to begin shooting last month, costar Jeremy Renner told the print edition of Total Film [via The Playlist] that the project has been "postponed indefinitely at this point," and "It really kind of stalled because when we were rehearsing — [Philip Seymour Hoffman], Paul and myself — we kept coming up against a wall that we couldn't overcome. Or at least Paul couldn't overcome."

Hit the jump for more on project including what Hoffman had to say about its current status.

Here's what Hoffman said to The Playlist when they spoke to him about the project during the press rounds for Jack Goes Boating (which Hoffman stars in and directed):

"I don't have any new information ['The Master']. I really mean that, I'm not being obtuse. I don't quite know what that is at the moment, but hopefully I will and hopefully I'll be part of something soon. It would be great to work with him again."

Not exactly inspiring words, but it doesn't necessarily mean the project is dead either.  We'll be keeping a close eye on this project since Anderson is an incredible director and any project he's working on deserves attention.

Here's a brief synopsis of The Master:

“The Master” is a charismatic intellectual who hatches a faith-based organization that begins to catch on in America in 1952. The core is the relationship between the Master and Freddie, a twentysomething drifter who becomes the leader’s lieutenant. As the faith begins to gain a fervent following, Freddie finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor.

In addition to Hoffman playing The Master and Renner playing Freddie, Reese Witherspoon was reportedly offered the role of the Master's wife.  Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone, and Deborah Ann Woll were being considered for the role of The Master’s daughter.