Paul Thomas Anderson’s Dream Cast: Legends He’d Bring Back
Paul Thomas Anderson reveals the classic Hollywood stars he’d love to work with, sharing his admiration for iconic actors from cinema’s golden era.
Most directors would be chuffed to have worked with the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Joaquin Phoenix. But Paul Thomas Anderson isn’t your average filmmaker. He’s often counted among the best of his generation, and his films have a knack for landing on lists of all-time greats. From the darkly comic world of Boogie Nights to the sprawling drama of There Will Be Blood, Anderson’s ambition is matched only by his knack for making it all look effortless. He’s handed out some of the most memorable roles in recent memory, and even gave Mark Wahlberg a shot at redemption, if only briefly.
While plenty of actors would jump at the chance to work with him, Anderson himself has a wish list that’s impossible to fulfil—unless you’ve got a time machine. In a 2017 Reddit AMA, he was asked which late stars he’d resurrect for a collaboration. His response was full of excitement:
“Oh! Oh! 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!”
Classic Icons and Unlikely Picks
Anderson’s list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s golden years. Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant are household names, but their styles couldn’t be more different. Bogart brought a world-weary wit to his roles, while Grant was all about charm and polish. It’s no surprise both made the cut, given their lasting influence.
Joan Fontaine, often overlooked these days, gets a nod as one of the era’s underrated talents. Ida Lupino is a more unexpected choice. While she made her mark as an actor, she’s now better remembered for breaking ground as a director—she was the first woman to helm a film noir, no less. Charles Laughton, too, is remembered as much for his directorial work as his acting, with his only film as director, The Night of the Hunter, now seen as a classic that’s inspired everyone from William Friedkin to the Coen brothers.
Comedy Greats and British Flair
Myrna Loy and Carole Lombard, both masters of screwball comedy, also make Anderson’s dream team. They helped define the genre in the 1930s, and it’s telling that Anderson singles them out over someone like Katharine Hepburn, whose legacy has arguably overshadowed theirs.
James Mason, with his cool, slightly menacing British presence in films like North by Northwest and Lolita, is another intriguing pick. You can imagine Anderson giving him the same sort of career shake-up he gave Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights.
Old Mates and Unfinished Business
Jason Robards is the only one on the list Anderson actually worked with, in Magnolia back in 1999. Apparently, the experience left such an impression that Anderson would jump at the chance to do it all over again.
Anderson’s choices show a real appreciation for the range and depth of talent from Hollywood’s past, and it’s hard not to wonder what kind of films he’d make with these legends if he had the chance.