Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" will debut a month earlier than originally planned, The Weinstein Company said Friday.
The film, which chronicles the early days of a religion that resembles Scientology, was originally scheduled to open on Oct. 12. It will now open in limited release on Sept. 14 before expanding to other cities.
With "The Master" moving to September, "Killing Them Softly," a film slated for Sept. 21, now will open Oct. 19. Andrew Dominik, who made "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" with Brad Pitt, is directing the actor in this project as well.
Also read: ‘The Master’: Paul Thomas Anderson Reaches Out to Scientologist Tom Cruise (Exclusive)
In its new slot, "The Master" will face off against the 3D re-release of "Finding Nemo," as well as the romantic comedy "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "Resident Evil: Retribution."
"Arbitrage," a financial thriller starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon, and "Liberal Arts," a comedy with Zac Efron, are premiering in limited release.
"The Master" stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as cult leader Lancaster Dodd, an offbeat intellectual in the vein of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Joaquin Phoenix plays a drifter who comes under Dodd's wing, and Amy Adams plays Dodd's wife.
It marks the first film for Anderson since 2007's "There Will Be Blood," a film that routinely pops up on lists of the best films of the previous decade. This film is expected to be an awards contender as well, one of several for The Weinstein Company.
Hoffman has already won a Best Actor award for "Capote" while Phoenix, Adams and Anderson have all been nominated more than once.
"Killing Them Softly," which premiered at Cannes, chronicles the associate of a hitman who is investigating a heist. It also stars Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta.
In moving to October, "Killing them Softly" will now open against Paramount's "Paranormal Activity 4," Summit's "Alex Cross," IFC FIlms' "The Loneliest Planet" and Paramount Vantage's "Not Fade Away."