Paul Thomas Anderson's Dream Cast: Stars He'd Bring Back From the Dead
The acclaimed filmmaker reveals which legendary Hollywood icons he would resurrect to collaborate with, showcasing his deep appreciation for cinema's golden era performers.
Most filmmakers who've directed Daniel Day-Lewis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Joaquin Phoenix might call it a career highlight and move on. Paul Thomas Anderson isn't most filmmakers. Widely considered among the greatest directors of his generation, Anderson has created films that regularly appear on best-of-all-time lists.
His range spans from the comedic tragedy of Boogie Nights to the sweeping American saga There Will Be Blood. Anderson's ambition shows in every frame, even though he appears surprisingly down-to-earth during interviews. He's collaborated with some of Hollywood's finest talent, giving Day-Lewis and Hoffman career-defining performances. He even managed to transform Mark Wahlberg into a serious actor, if only briefly.
Golden Age Wishlist
During a 2017 Reddit Ask Me Anything session, someone asked Anderson which deceased actors he'd want to work with. His excitement jumped off the screen. "Oh! Oh!" he responded. "Humphrey [Bogart]. Cary Grant. Ida Lupino. Joan Fontaine. Charles Laughton. Myrna Loy. Carole Lombard. James Mason!!!!!!! We don't have enough time to play this game. Jason Robards!"
The list reads like a who's who of Hollywood's golden era. Bogart and Grant represent opposite ends of the leading man spectrum. Bogart brought world-weary cynicism to every role. Grant perfected sophisticated charm and elegance.
Unexpected Choices
Joan Fontaine remains one of the period's most underrated actresses. Ida Lupino presents a fascinating choice, considering she gained more recognition as a director than a performer. She broke barriers as the first woman to direct a film noir.
Charles Laughton follows a similar pattern. Though known primarily for acting during his lifetime, his directorial work has gained more respect over time. His sole directing effort, The Night of the Hunter, became a horror masterpiece that influenced directors from William Friedkin to the Coen brothers.
Myrna Loy and Carole Lombard dominated screwball comedy in the 1930s. Anderson's choice to name them over Katharine Hepburn shows his deep knowledge of cinema history. Hepburn may have the bigger legacy today, but Loy and Lombard pioneered the genre.
What Could Have Been
James Mason would have been perfect for an Anderson makeover. Known for his smooth, slightly threatening British persona in films like North by Northwest and Lolita, Mason could have flourished under Anderson's direction. Think of how the filmmaker transformed Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights.
As for Jason Robards, Anderson actually got his wish. The Oscar-winning character actor appeared in 1999's Magnolia. The experience clearly left such an impression that Anderson still dreams of working with him again.