Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film Baktan Cross, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, might be getting pushed back to 2026. More here.
One of the interesting narratives surrounding Warner Bros in 2025 is the studio’s apparent eagerness to fund several relatively expensive auteur-driven projects, a somewhat unexpected step away from studio chief David Zazlav’s public promise to focus on its core business of franchise mining.
Warner Bros’ marketing department underwent a rather erratic 2025, managing to draw in big audiences to some tentpole movies but not others (changes are afoot within the studio). The bar has undoubtedly been set higher this year given that films from the likes of Bong Joon Ho, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ryan Coogler and Barry Levinson are going to need to earn wide audience interest to perform well.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s next film Baktan Cross has often numbered among that list as well but according to a new report, the studio could delay the next film from the Magnolia director, pushing it all the way into 2026.
According to World Of Reel, Warner Bros is publicly denying the switch as it stands, but the report comes from Puck's Matt Belloni who has a good track record with these types of claims.
As to why the studio might be tempted to push Anderson’s film into 2026, we can only speculate. Perhaps the filmmaker needs more time to hone the project or could Warner Bros be looking to spread the risk of having so many expensive non-franchise films arriving in one financial year.
Pushing the film into early summer of next year would move it out of this year’s balance books and allow it to stake an early claim for the big Hollywood auteur picture of next year’s Cannes, giving the project a greater opportunity to build critical and commercial momentum than a late summer release,
Nothing is official as of right now though, but if and when we do hear of a solid date change for the film’s arrival, we’ll let you know. Should this story prove to be accurate though, we’re hoping the studio doesn’t push any of its other projects further down the release schedules given as its string of films directed by critically revered directors is one of many reasons we’re very much looking forward to 2025’s theatrical slate.