In the early days of reporting on Paul Thomas Anderson‘s latest movie, before it was called The Master, we tentatively referred to it as PTA’s Scientology Film. The conception of the movie has since evolved, focusing on a man (Philip Seymour Hoffman) so shaken by the horrors of World War II that he creates a new, nonspecific religion. But still, there are similarities between this story and the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard—specifically the post-WWII time frame and the philosophical epiphany on a boat trip. This seems enough cause for tension between Anderson and Tom Cruise, his Magnolia star and outspoken Scientologist. Anderson, giving us yet another reason to respect him, decided to address the conflict head on and screen a rough cut of The Master for Cruise. Hit the jump for Cruise’s reaction.
Cruise’s representation declined to comment, but The Wrap spoke to two sources close to the production. Both said Cruise “had issues” with a few parts. Anderson still has a few months to fine tune The Master before the October 12 release date. So he could feasibly alter any perceived critiques between now and then. While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cruise’s name included in the special thanks section, the main reason we respect Anderson is his astounding ability to execute his singular vision on screen. Addressing the issue months in advance is a good idea. Softening the impact of the story is a bad idea.
Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Jesse Plemons, and David Warshovsky also star in The Master. The first clip was released yesterday, and it’s captivating. Just to make sure you watch it, I embedded it below.
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why would PTA “tune” his film because of Tom Cruise who is a scientologist and who probably hated it anyway?
So P.T. Anderson is waiting for the seal of approval from Tom Cruise on behalf of the Scientology group? They may have worked together before but I hope Anderson doesn’t bend over backwards for Cruise or the Scientology group/religion/ what have you and feel the need to make cuts in the script or whatever has been shot so far. Controversy can be bad at times for film, but also great. C’mon it’s free marketing!
I have high hopes nonetheless. It’s good to see Directors and DP’s that prefer to shoot in film over HD cameras. Especially this one being shot in 65mm, which no one shoots in. That’s pretty awesome. Film to me has always looked better. It may not be the standard in shooting feature films anymore(film is much more expensive to shoot in) but it should never be wiped out or overlooked as a medium.
I’m going to reserve my judgement until I fully understand Anderson’s intentions. Tom Cruise may be a Scientologist but it doesn’t make him the foremost authority, just the most famous. But even if he is an expert, so what. Would we have gotten the same movie if the Monty Python team thought the same way and showed their film to the church for approval before the final edit?
Films about religion are always going to cause controversy and that’s the point, but pandering to people like Cruise indicates the potential to edit in favour of the religion unless he’s looking for some equilibrium rather than performing a scathing hatchet job? This would be a fair motive.
But given the bizarre obsession with religion in America considering it’s a so called first world country (sorry, you just don’t see that level of fanatacism in the UK these days) you have to ask if there something more sinister at play here? Given L Ron Hubbard’s Hollywood background and the number of actors and musicians following this questionable modern movement (from Wiki – *Another controversial belief held by Scientologists is that the practice of psychiatry is destructive and abusive and must be abolished) maybe Anderson is just trying to do his best and keep his job and secure his future in the industry by not shitting on his own doorstep.
Either way, something’s rotten in Denmark.
Cruise is not the brightest guy on this planet, hence his believe in this contrived and dangerous cult. His career is on a decline because more and more people get annoyed buy him and his bad acting. Why would PTA get him involved anyway – he is brainwashed and won’t understand what the movie is about anyway. Strange indeed
They are colleagues, and it sounds like they are also friends so he go his input. What’s the big deal? And for the genius who knocked Tom Cruise’s intelligence you made a lot of grammatical mistakes and spelled words wrong. Hard to take you seriously sport. As for knocking Cruise’s career as being on the decline….ARE YOU SERIOUS? The guy just had a massive critical and financial hit with M:I4, has two big budget sci fi flicks on the way and took a shot at singing in a big summer musical. Whether we like it or not, a lot of HUGE stars have been part of or are still part of Scientology, and those connections alone probably have helped their careers, not hurt them. You’d be shocked by some of the Hollywood talent associated with Scientology. Don’t get me wrong, I think the whole thing is pretty freaking strange, but it seems to work for them.
I was gonna say the same.
2 of my friends got roped into joining the cult/religion (both the same thing so why they bicker over what to call it is beyond me!) and my friends are now truly lost.
They got “audited” (kind of like a reveal your deepest darkest secrets “so we can fix your troubled mind/life”) Which they then use against you should you try to leave the cult/religion, or expose their wrongdoings. One of my friends i sense wants to leave, he’ kinda bound to them as he owes them favours as these Dianetics courses they do cost £$£$£$ and they want his cash, if he aint got it, they have him working for them doing odd jobs, etc… more to it than that. But, he’s trapped, and hes changed.
The brainwashing is so extreme he’s like a preacher, cant have a conversation about anything anymore without him bringing it up. My other friend, well, he’s in so deep he’s got to the level of Auditor
So, is Scientology a religion? Ok, yes it is, and its just as corrupt and manipulative and deceitful and enslaving and greedy as any other! (I exclude Buddhism, as although its still a cult/religion its the most placid and peaceful and honest) Though I still think its followers take it too far and don’t live their lives to the max. (spending as much time on a prayer mat going Ommmmmmmmmmmm as they do sleeping wastes at least 2 thirds of their lifetime.
Still, what do I know, I’m just an atheist, still, if they can preach their beliefs, I can preach mine. (except mine are facts, not myths)
(collider, sort your messaging system out ffs! I just love writing long responses to have it not appear on the page)
Yes, Scientology is clearly a cult but that doesn’t make Tom Cruise a bad actor. He and PTA are friends and almost everybody who has contact with Cruise (including comedian Jay Mohr, writer/director Cameron Crowe, etc) have nothing but high praise about him as a man and an actor. I think it’s important to separate the man from his religion. Most of his movies are very good and his acting is absolutely top-notch.
your thinking is highly flawed.
1) Tom Cruise is one of the best actors working today.
2) His career is not on a decline. In fact, he just had his highest grossing movie in 30 years. He has more projects and big movies now then he ever did in the past.
3) This man is a genius. It takes one to achieve what he has in the last 3 decades.
4) There is the religion and there are those who follow it, following a belief system does not make you accountable for all things that occur under it.
2 of my friends got roped into joining the cult/religion (both the same thing so why they bicker over what to call it is beyond me!) and my friends are now truly lost.
They got “audited” (kind of like a reveal your deepest darkest secrets “so we can fix your troubled mind/life”) Which they then use against you should you try to leave the cult/religion, or expose their wrongdoings. One of my friends i sense wants to leave, he’ kinda bound to them as he owes them favours as these Dianetics courses they do cost £$£$£$ and they want his cash, if he aint got it, they have him working for them doing odd jobs, etc… more to it than that. But, he’s trapped, and hes changed.
The brainwashing is so extreme he’s like a preacher, cant have a conversation about anything anymore without him bringing it up. My other friend, well, he’s in so deep he’s got to the level of Auditor
So, is Scientology a religion? Ok, yes it is, and its just as corrupt and manipulative and deceitful and enslaving and greedy as any other! (I exclude Buddhism, as although its still a cult/religion its the most placid and peaceful and honest) Though I still think its followers take it too far and don’t live their lives to the max. (spending as much time on a prayer mat going Ommmmmmmmmmmm as they do sleeping wastes at least 2 thirds of their lifetime.
Still, what do I know, I’m just an atheist, still, if they can preach their beliefs, I can preach mine. (except mine are facts, not myths)
I love Tom Cruise. Scientologist? So what. Now if he was a Mormon, I might have to question some things. JK
Excellent clip. I wish I could watch the movie right now.
I guess P.T.A showed the truth about scienbullshitogy and Tom didn’t like it. Anyways, i don’t care about Tom’s fiction religion. Probably Tom is gonna like Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” (for obvious reasons))).
Honestly, Scientology? I don’t care. I don’t mind Tom Cruise, aside from his religious beliefs, which everyman is entitled to his own, he doesn’t seem too bad. He’s a descent actor and i like many of his movies. But agreed, PTA shouldn’t soften or change his vision to please Cruise or the Scientology cult. I thinks its nice that he and Tom are friends and he showed him the movie way in advance. Its a sign of good faith that he was like look, heres my movie, i know you believe in this, so i wanted you to understand where im coming from, and its not a parody or a slight, its just the story I wanna tell.
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Why does PTA need to please Tom Cruise? Is Tom so powerful he can destroy the careers and souls of mortal men. Scientology is a crock of crap and Cruise is stinking in it.
“Hit the jump for Cruise’s reaction.
*Jump hit
Cruise’s representation declined to comment…”
Come on, man. I know you’re trying to up your unique hits, but that’s a pretty lame way to do it.
I agree.
Just because Cruise has “issues” with it doesn’t mean PTA is goin to change it. I think it is a masterful move by PTA. When the film comes out and Scientologist cry foul, there Cruise will be to say hey, its not what you think.
Joaquin Phoenix looks ready for another Oscar nomination….
I thought Joaquin Phoenix quit Hollyweird to become a BIG country music star? I like you Joaquin, how’s that working out for you?
As far as Tom Cruise as Scientologist, what’s that got to do with Orson Scott Card being a Mormon? It doesn’t matter. Only their end product matters – movies and books. Get over it.
I doubt PT anderson would alter his film to not upset tom cruise. Pt is one of the only renegade expert filmmakers. If he did alter his film just to not piss off tom cruise, it would be one of the most disapointing moves ive heard of, and would always have hate toward PT for doing that. But like the other post said, we should await judgement and hear exactly pts intentions. Dont be a bitch PT!
Had he shown “Valkyrie” to Adolf if he was the director of it? Or ask Ma Ying-jeou for his opinion about a capitalis-movie? Strange idea:-)