P.T. Anderson's Scientology-skewering The Master turned down by Universal
According to Deadline, Universal has said thanks-but-no-thanks to Paul Thomas Anderson's latest project, The Master—a film set to star Philip Seymour Hoffman as an L. Ron Hubbard-esque cult leader and, potentially, The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner as his protege. Before we all scream "Scientological conspiracy," it's reported that Universal balked at Anderson's $35 million budget, not the subject matter. (Or so they say…) Here's a recent script synopsis from The Playlist: