Paul Thomas Anderson isn’t one to divulge what his next project might be. The filmmaker likes to read, research, write, put things away, come back to them — asking him about his next film is a fool’s errand, because he probably doesn’t quite know himself. However, the director does seem to be entertaining the notion of finally making a movie that his kids — aged 12, 8, 6, and 4 — can watch.
Doing some pre-Oscar press with The Los Angeles Times, Anderson confirmed the story that his son had seen him cutting some promos for “Phantom Thread,” and when he noticed it was rated R, complained, “Aaaaw….c’mon!” Well, the director’s daughter might forge the path for Anderson to make something more family friendly.
“Well, I’m working right now on a story with my daughter Lucy. She’s 8. She has taken it upon herself, realizing that if I wasn’t going to do it, she would do it with me. We’re trying to hash out something right now. It’s a good collaboration too. It keeps you on your toes,” he shared. I was trying to guide the story to something a little bit darker, where my instincts wanted to take it, and she was politely, very sweetly reminding me I was aiming it that way and brought it back. We had a good run at it and took a break. We’ve got to get back to it.”
Obviously, who knows if this will turn into a movie, but it’s probably a fun exercise for Anderson, who always seems to enjoy have a few things to poke around with and develop. For now, it looks like he’ll just have to take his kids to see “Isle Of Dogs” when it opens next month, and yes, Anderson is anticipating it just as much as you are.
“That’s a nice thing to look forward to, a new Wes Anderson movie around the corner. I can’t wait,” he said.
“Phantom Thread” is now playing.