Joaquin Phoenix may join Philip Seymour Hoffman in Paul Thomas Anderson's untitled religious drama. The actor could make his return to film after I'm Still Here is in early talks at this point.
Anderson directs from his own original script, the film which follows a disaffected disciple's relationship with the founder of a new faith which resembles Scientology, reports Variety.
Hoffman plays Lancaster Dodd, a character called The Master, while Phoenix would play Freddie Sutton, an alcoholic drifter who ends up being the right-hand man for The Master and then starts questioning his manipulating mentor.
Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison is considering co-financing the period film which Anderson and his longtime producing partner JoAnne Sellar are producing via Sellar's Ghoulardi Film Co.
Prior to hi supposedly fake documentary, Phoenix's last feature role was in James Gray's 2008 drama Two Lovers with Gwyneth Paltrow.