After his directorial turn at commenting on the roots of scientology in The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest in-the-works production of Inherent Vice, a film adapted from a novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon, is coming together in terms of its casting. With Joaquin Phoenix already signed on and Charlize Theron and Benicio Del Toro finalizing their contracts, Owen Wilson, too, finds himself in the same boat as the latest addition to the team.
Much like his role in The Master, Phoenix will star as the lead in this as Larry “Doc” Sportello, a pot-smoking private detective investigating a kidnapping case involving his girlfriend. Theron and Del Toro are rumored to play supporting roles while Wilson’s role is currently unknown.
Phoenix, who signed on earlier in the year, replaced Robert Downey Jr. as the lead. Originally, Downey Jr. expressed excitement over the opportunity of working with Anderson, saying “he’s one of our great American directors” in a 2011 interview with MTV. Even though Downey Jr. said he would make space for the opportunity to work with Anderson, it was reported back in April that Downey Jr. had to drop these considerations as Anderson told him he was too old to fit the part, contradicting previous rumors of Downey Jr. unable to find time for the work.
The film, set between the winter and summer of 1969 to 1970 in Los Angeles, is said to be released some time in 2014.
