Leonardo DiCaprio will star in the next major film under director Paul Thomas Anderson’s portfolio, which is due to be released on August 8, 2025. Even so, he is only one out of a number of big stars who take on leading roles in the film.

Di Caprio is of course no stranger to working in star-studded ensembles. In 2021, for instance, he joined Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet and other Hollywood heavy hitters for the Adam McKay political satire film Don’t Look Up.

DiCaprio has also worked with big-name casts in Django Unchained, The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and others. He would not have been out of place at all when director Anderson called “action” on the first shot of their upcoming film, also full of star names in Hollywood.

Sean Penn Is One Of The Big-Name Stars Joining Leonardo DiCaprio In Paul Thomas Anderson’s Next Major Film

Sean Penn is among the stars who will feature alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson movie. The controversial actor has continued to land roles in Hollywood despite often sharing opinions that caused consternation in the industry. Regina Hall also joined the lineup, making up a trio, with Penn and DiCaprio, as the first confirmed cast members for Anderson’s highly anticipated project.

Later, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Anderson had completed the casting for his latest film. Alana Haim, who first appeared on the big screen in the director’s Licorice Pizza, and Teyana Taylor, known for her standout role in A Thousand and One, also joined the cast. They went in alongside Wood Harris, Shayna McHayle, and a newcomer in the shape of Chase Infiniti.

The new, untitled film is set to mark Anderson’s first return since the release of Licorice Pizza in December 2021. Despite its lackluster performance at the box office, the romantic comedy-drama secured three nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

Is Joaquin Phoenix Also Part Of The Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Film With Leonardo DiCaprio And Sean Penn?

In the earlier days of the untitled Paul Thomas Anderson project, it was rumored that Joaquin Phoenix and Viggo Mortensen were going to be part of the cast. The Gladiator star has a notable history of working with Anderson, beginning with their collaboration in The Master, a 2012 psychological drama film that also starred Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

The actor-director duo teamed up again for Inherent Vice, Anderson’s 2014 period comedy film. While promoting his 2021 picture Licorice Pizza, Variety featured a profile on Anderson where he shared his eagerness for another collaboration with Phoenix.

“I’m very anxious to work with Joaquin again,” Anderson expressed. “There’s a disproportionate amount of talent in the acting department and a lack of material that rises to their ability.”

Given their history of successful collaborations, and Anderson’s publicly stated wish to do so again, the idea of Phoenix being part of the 2025 project is not far-fetched. However, there really has been no confirmation that the Joker star has been added to the ensemble cast.

Paul Thomas Anderson Was Involved In Controversy With Homeless People While Shooting His Untitled Film In Sacramento

While shooting his untitled film in Sacramento, California, Paul Thomas Anderson became embroiled in controversy involving the local homeless population. The production, which kicked off in late January 2024 in Humboldt County, spanned roughly 11 days into February.

By the 3rd of February, the crew had relocated to Sacramento, setting their sights on the Sacramento County Administration Building and Sacramento County Courthouse for filming locations. The conflict ignited when, according to the Sacramento Homeless Union, the production team had cleared out homeless tents from Cesar Chavez Park.

Notices of filming were allegedly tagged on the tents, and those residing within were compelled to vacate the area. Crystal Sanchez, President of the union, criticized the decision to allow filming in this manner, stating that the permit “should have never been given.”

The film’s presence in downtown Sacramento also led to temporary disturbances in the area’s daily operations. ABC10 reported that the production activities included a helicopter equipped with a large camera flying overhead for several hours, a car emitting smoke, and other noticeable disruptions.