Anderson’s Next Chapter: A New Film in the Works
The acclaimed director, whose recent adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s One Battle After Another swept the Oscars, has moved on from that triumph. According to longtime collaborator Jonny Greenwood, Anderson is “getting close to pressing the button on the next film” and has “chosen” a concept. In a candid interview with ScreenDaily, Greenwood – also the lead guitarist of Radiohead – revealed that the project is already gathering momentum. “I’m already trying to learn a new instrument that would be central to it,” he said, hinting at the film’s musical backbone. After the interviewer noted that a new Anderson film seemed unlikely for a while, Greenwood added: “It may well not even be a while, but he had a few ideas and I think he’s chosen one and he seems to be gaining momentum again. You think the [next] film is going to take years to do, and often they do. But then he turned [the 2021 romance] Licorice Pizza around in a matter of months.” The comments suggest that the filmmaker’s creative engine is revving at full throttle, despite the notoriously deliberate pace of his previous releases.
The Jazz Epic Rumour: Denzel Washington and a 1940s LA Setting
Speculation is mounting that Anderson’s chosen project will be a jazz‑centric epic starring Denzel Washington. In 2024, Washington disclosed that he had spoken with Anderson about a potential collaboration, fuelling fan speculation that the film would explore LA’s “Little Harlem” jazz renaissance of the 1940s – a setting that has long fascinated the director. The idea resonates with Anderson’s interest in capturing the tension between artistic freedom and social constraint. “You know how they got Harlem Nights? I was like, ‘What if we did “South Central Nights”,’ like what South Central used to be? How LA was this place where you could come and be free, but it was still very segregated, and how that worked in the relationships, the interracial relationships, and all that dynamic?” said Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish, who has also discussed the project with Anderson. If realised, the film would likely blend period detail with contemporary storytelling, a hallmark of Anderson’s recent work.
Potential Cast and Themes: From Haddish to Del Toro
Beyond Washington, the project’s casting circle appears expansive. Haddish’s involvement suggests a focus on diverse voices and the cultural landscape of mid‑century Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Anderson has expressed a desire to reunite with Benicio del Toro, whose performances in Inherent Vice (2015) and One Battle After Another have been praised. Their chemistry could be a central pillar of the new film, possibly exploring themes of loyalty, ambition, and the clash of generations. The director’s reputation for weaving complex narratives with rich visual textures means the jazz setting will likely serve as both a backdrop and a metaphorical engine for the story’s emotional core.
The Broader Picture: Concert Film and Creative Momentum
While the narrative feature remains the primary focus, Anderson has also recently stepped behind the camera for a concert film. Titled Cameron Winter at Carnegie Hall, the project captures the 24‑year‑old lead singer of rock band Geese during a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in December 2025. The film is slated for a theatrical release later this year, offering audiences a glimpse of Anderson’s versatility beyond his hallmark feature films. This dual output underscores a period of heightened productivity for the director, who appears to be balancing experimental music documentation with his next large‑scale narrative venture.
Why it Matters
The announcement of Anderson’s next film signals a pivotal moment for contemporary cinema. With a director known for his meticulous storytelling and visual grandeur poised to explore the rich tapestry of 1940s jazz culture, audiences can anticipate a work that may redefine the genre‑blending possibilities of modern filmmaking. The potential involvement of heavyweight talent like Washington, Haddish, and del Toro not only raises the commercial stakes but also promises a fresh perspective on America’s cultural crossroads. As the industry watches closely, the project underscores the enduring power of collaborative artistry and the capacity of a single visionary to reshape how history, music, and identity intersect on the silver screen.
