It looks like “Inherent Vice” won’t be the last P.T. Anderson–Thomas Pynchon collaboration. After months of speculation, it appears that someone has confirmed just exactly what Anderson’s next film will be: an adaptation of Pynchon’s 1990 novel “Vineland.” But Daniel Richtman says the director’s adaptation will bring the novel up to present day, with newcomer Chase Infiniti co-starring with Leonardo DiCaprio.
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Is it any surprise that Anderson returns to the Pynchon well after “Inherent Vice”? Not really, especially since both the director and novelist are California guys (Pynchon by proximity and interest and not by birth like Anderson). But it raises eyebrows that it’s “Vineland” of all of Pynchon’s novels that gets the green light from Anderson. It’s not that “Vineland” is a bad novel; it’s not. It’s more that it lacks the cultural cache of “The Crying Of Lot 49” or “Gravity’s Rainbow” or even “Against The Day.” But then again, “Inherent Vice” isn’t exactly major Pynchon either, so maybe that’s what attracts Anderson to the story.
Here’s what Richtman has to say about “Vineland” and Infiniti’s casting from his Patreon:
Actress Chase Infiniti has been cast as the lead in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film. I have also confirmed the movie will adapt Thomas Pynchon’s novel, Vineland but making it contemporary. The original novel was set in Reagan-era America, so he’s updating it to modern US.
And here’s a synopsis for “Vineland,” which deals with the aftermath of the radical late ’60s through a motley crew of misfits:
A group of Americans in Northern California in 1984 are struggling with the consequences of their lives in the sixties, still run by the passions of those times — sexual and political — which have refused to die. Among them is Zoyd Wheeler who is preparing for his annual act of televised insanity (for which he receives a government stipend) when an unwelcome face appears from out of his past.
DiCaprio will star in “Vineland” as Wheeler, with Infiniti as his daughter. Take a look at the pair on set in a Twitter post below: This is Infiniti’s film debut, so obviously, Anderson saw something significant in the newcomer. And also take a look at PTA’s new music video for The Smile‘s latest music video for “Friend Of A Friend.” Anderson has worked with The Smile’s and Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood several times for music on his films before, so it’s likely he’ll sign up for “Vineland” as well.
Related Bonus: Watch the PTA-directed for The Smile’s “Friend of A Friend,” Thom Yorke’s Radiohead spin-off band.
