Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' Eyes October Release, Hints Financier

Megan Ellison revealed Tuesday that Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film, tentatively titled The Master, may arrive in theaters as soon as October. Responding to Anderson fan site Cigarettes and Red Vines via Twitter, Ellison said “I know you guys are waiting on a release date for 'the Master', and it's still a bit early, but I'd keep my eyes on October.”

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The Weinstein Company is releasing the film, but the company hasn't offered a official release date. (TWC has been contacted for comment.) If Ellison’s tweet is accurate, it positions The Master for prime placement at fall film festivals, where Anderson has premiered films in the past. He screened Punch-Drunk Love for the first time at Cannes before taking it to the New York Film Festival, and staged the World Premiere of There Will Be Blood in 2007 at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX.

Despite scoring eight Academy Award nominations for There Will Be Blood, including for Best Director and Best Picture, Anderson faced numerous challenges securing financing for The Master. After initial reports surfaced in 2009 that he was working on the project, it took until February 2011 for him to find backers to fund the film, when Ellison agreed to fund it. Anderson released a teaser poster in May 2011 at Cannes, and since shooting began in June 2011, the production has moved quickly. Anderson subsequently debuted a promotional poster for the film in November 2011 at the American Film Market.

Thanks to Movieline for the tip.