Is there anything this man can’t do? After a career filled with fantastic films, Paul Thomas Anderson clearly thought this whole directing thing was getting a little too easy, so he’s decided to double his workload by serving as his own cinematographer on upcoming film Phantom Thread.
The film, which began production in February, takes place in London’s 1950s fashion world and stars Daniel Day-Lewis in what is now set to be his final role after announcing his retirement a few weeks ago. When production began, the absence of an official director of photography was conspicuous, and led many to predict that Anderson would perform the role.
Robert Elswit has long been Anderson’s go-to DoP, having shot Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood, but he’s currently shooting Dan Gilroy‘s second feature Roman Israel, Esq.
That led to Anderson choosing to shoot his own film, something he’s been wanting to do for a while now. Of course, while Elswit is a more than competent cinematographer – he won an Academy Award for his work on There Will Be Blood – Anderson’s fingerprints are always all over his own work. Just compare Elswit’s work on something like Inherent Vice to his other non-PTA films such as The Town and you see a big difference.
Reportedly, Phantom Thread is still just the working title and Indiewire reports that when the film arrives in cinemas later this year, it will be under a different name.
So, bring on Phantom Thread (or whatever it’s going to be called). At this point in his career, Anderson could direct the upcoming Emoji Movie and turn it into something spectacular.
#Peace.Love.PaulThomasAnderson
