LOS ANGELES, 20 November 2025 — Hollywood heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio and acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson are reportedly locked in an escalating production conflict over creative control and budget for their forthcoming project. Sources say the clash involves creative direction, cost overruns and a struggle for autonomy between star and director.
While details remain under wraps, the dispute is said to centre on Anderson’s ambitious vision for the film — including location shooting, extended take counts and an elevated budget, and DiCaprio’s insistence on stringent scheduling, cost discipline and box-office assurance. Industry insiders suggest that the tension has caused delays and internal unease at the studio backing the film.
High Stakes for a High-Profile Team-Up
- DiCaprio is attached to star and produce the film, which marks his first collaboration with Anderson.
- The movie reportedly has a budget in the range of US$150-200 million, making it one of Anderson’s largest undertakings to date.
- With Anderson’s previous films (such as There Will Be Blood and Licorice Pizza) earning critical acclaim, the commercial expectations are elevated, and so are the stakes.
Impact on the Industry
For the global film industry and especially the Asian market, this production battle may signal broader trends: star-director power struggles, rising costs in auteur cinema, and pressures on large-scale independent projects to deliver both art and earnings.
What to Watch
- Whether the studio intervenes and imposes tighter oversight or cost-controls.
- How DiCaprio and Anderson resolve their creative differences, and whether one party prevails.
- The potential impact on production timeline, marketing rollout and global release strategy.
