Last Updated 14/04/25
What was “The Battle of Baktan Cross” will now be called “One Battle After Another“. Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film is set to be a modern reimaging of Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland.” Here’s the trailer and everything we know so far:
The Source Material: “Vineland”
“Vineland,” published in 1990, is set in Reagan-era Northern California and follows a diverse group of characters grappling with the lingering effects of the 1960s. Central to the story is Zoyd Wheeler, who performs an annual act of televised insanity to receive a government stipend. The novel is known for its complex narrative and Pynchon’s characteristic blend of satire and dense prose.
Adaptation Details
Paul Thomas Anderson is modernizing the setting of “Vineland” to the present day. This means the film will adapt the themes and characters alongside the polictical climate and culture of today.
After a private screening, it’s be described as a high-octane, crowd-pleasing action comedy, yet eccentric too.
Additionally, Anderson has cited ‘Repo Man‘ as an inspiration, possibly as an inspiration for a run-down vibe, and sci-fi aspects (which have been confirmed too). Jonathan dark comedy “Something Wild” is another cited influence, and currently it’s set to be a 3-hour epic. The runtime along with the high-octane, set-piece heavy storyline is cited as the reason for the new name “One Battle After Another”.
Cast and Characters
The confirmed cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, who is set to play the novel’s protagonist. Joining him are Sean Penn and Regina Hall, newcomer Chase Infiniti, and in smaller roles will be Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Benicio Del Toro, Alana Haim, and Shayna McHayle. The characters all have new names not from the novel, but still have their book counterparts.
The following roles are all but confirmed:
Leonardo DiCaprio as Zoyd Wheeler (Now “Bob”). Zoyd, an ex-hippie performing bizarre stunts for disability checks, is the novel’s quirky protagonist. DiCaprio’s range makes him a perfect fit for this eccentric role.
Chase Infiniti as Prairie Wheeler. Recent star of Presumed Innocent, Infiniti takes on Prairie, Zoyd’s daughter, who’s on a quest to uncover her family’s radical past.
Regina Hall as Frenesi Gates. Hall plays Frenesi, Prairie’s estranged mother and former radical turned double agent. Her complex history drives much of the plot’s tension.
Sean Penn as Brock Vond (Now “Col. Steven J. Lockjaw”). The book’s villian, Brock Vond, is a menacing federal agent with a dark past linked to Frenesi. His intense screen presence suits this antagonist role.
Based on the book’s characters, the supporting cast might be playing:
Alana Haim as DL Chastain. A member of the radical group and a martial arts expert. Her recent acting debut in “Licorice Pizza” showcased her ability to handle dynamic roles.
Teyana Taylor as Sasha Gates. Frenesi’s sister, who adds depth to the family’s complicated history. Taylor’s strong presence fits well with Sasha’s character.
Benicio Del Toro as Hector Zuniga
Zuniga is a shady friend of Zoyd’s, and is a role that would fit Del Toro’s filmography quite well– recalling aspects of his characters from films like The Usual Suspects and Sicario.
Wood Harris as Takeshi Fumimoto?
Harris’s versatility could place him in almost any of the supporting roles, but Fumimoto has no obvious parallel with any of the current cast, so it could be Harris. If Harris is Fumioto, we can also assume that large swaths of the book set in Japan are being cut too. That said, he could just as well switch with Del Toro and play Zuniga.
Shayna McHayle, also known as Junglepussy, could potentially be cast as:
Van Meter.A member of the radical group and a key ally to Zoyd and Prairie. McHayle’s bold and dynamic presence could bring a fresh and compelling take to this character, who is deeply entrenched in the countercultural movements and offers a strong support system within the story’s narrative.
Or as Isaiah Two Four. Book Prairie’s boyfriend, and a punk rocker in the band “Billy Barf and and the Vomitones”.
McHayle’s casting in such roles would align with her known persona and the edgy, countercultural vibe of the character.
Production and Filming
Filming began in January 2024 across various California locations, including Eureka, which is consistent with the novel’s setting. El Paso, Texas has also been filmed in, and likely more locations will be used to capture the sprawling story of the novel (though Tokyo is up in the air). Currently, the filming is expected to run on into Jan 2025.
The production has seen some delays due to strikes, but is expected to release in August 8, 2025. The film will have a wide release and will also be shown in IMAX, suggesting a visually ambitious project.
Cinematography and Budget
The film is being shot using VistaVision cameras on 35mm film, which promises a visually rich cinematic experience. The budget for the film is reportedly around $115 million– estimates are now up to 170 million– a shocking figure considering his last film, Licorice Pizza was 40 million, and his largest film, Magnolia was 67million with inflation. Part of this will be due to Dicaprio’s salary (he got 10 million for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), but even so it’ll be a major event.
Speculation and Hints
Although the adaptation of “Vineland” has not been officially confirmed by Anderson himself, numerous hints point to this being the case. Set photos, location choices, and direct quotes from the novel being used in the dialogue all suggest that Anderson is indeed tackling Pynchon’s work. The director has previously expressed interest in “Vineland,” and it appears he has finally found the courage to bring it to the screen.
Score & Johnny Greenwood News
Greenwood has been set to compose the score for the film, making it his sixth collaboration with Anderson, but has recently been hospitalised due to an infection. He has cancelled his tour because of this and may also drop out from composing for the film.
Conclusion
Paul Thomas Anderson’s potential adaptation of “Vineland” has a stellar cast, a substantial budget, and Anderson’s unique vision. The fresh take on Pynchon’s complex narrative, reimagining it for a modern audience might not just be a spiritual sequel to his Inherent Vice adaptation, but one that garners major publicity and attention too. Fans of both Anderson and Pynchon are eagerly awaiting more details as the project progresses towards its 2025 release.
For further updates, keep an eye on reliable film news sources like World of Reel, The Playlist, and The Film Stage.
Sources
- “Paul Thomas Anderson’s Next Film Sets August 2025 Release, Including IMAX Theaters” – The Film Stage (FilmStage)
- “Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn & Regina Hall Confirmed to Star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Next Film” – The Film Stage (FilmStage)
- “Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Vineland’ Adaptation Reportedly in the Works” – World of Reel (The Playlist)
- “Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Vineland’ Project” – The Playlist (World of Reel)
- “Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Screens” – World of Reel
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