10 Things You Didn't Know About Paul Thomas Anderson's Movies

6. Paul Thomas Anderson And Tom Cruise Argued Over The Master

The announcement of The Master and its basis on the origins of Scientology caused an instant storm of controversy in some Hollywood circles - Hollywood, after all, is something of a breeding ground for members of this strange cult-like organisation, with stars including John Travolta and Tom Cruise counted in their numbers. Having worked with Tom Cruise on Magnolia and struck up a friendship, it's no surprise that Paul Thomas Anderson was keen to hear Cruise's reaction to The Master. Needless to say the Scientology spokesman wasn't happy with the finished result, while the folks back at Scientology HQ reportedly "hit the roof" at the scene which suggested the belief system was the product of their leader's imagination. Anderson left all the "controversial" scenes in the final cut, insisting that "everything's fine" between himself and Cruise. Whether or not they'll work together again remains to be seen.