Del Toro Joins Phoenix In Paul Thomas Anderson's INHERENT VICE

Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro has agreed to appear alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Paul Thomas Anderson's new feature film INHERENT VICE according to a new report.

While he will be playing a secondary character - that of a lawyer - in the new big screen adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's 2009 novel of the same name, the part as written in the script apparently affords the gifted actor the opportunity to make quite an impression in his potentially scenary-chewing-worthy handful of scenes.

Of course, Del Toro famously essayed the role of an attorney on film quite memorably once before - opposite Johnny Depp in Terry Gilliam's deliriously trippy 1998 Hunter S. Thompson homage FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS.

The only confirmed cast members thus far for INHERENT VICE prior to this new development were Phoenix - in the central role of Doc - and character actor Kevin J. O'Conner (who previously appeared in PTA's THE MASTER and THERE WILL BE BLOOD). Further casting is expected shortly for the period piece, which is set in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in 1969 and 1970 and concerns a pothead private investigator.

Previously, Robert Downey Jr. was attached to star but dropped out and was replaced by recent PTA collaborator Phoenix, who starred in the helmer's THE MASTER last year.

Additionally, Oscar-winner Charlize Theron has been rumored to have a role in the film, as well, though her involvement has not been confirmed.

INHERENT VICE is set to start shooting later this month.

Check out the original story on the matter here.