Joaquin Phoenix to Lead Paul Thomas Anderson's INHERENT VICE Adaptation

Paul Thomas Anderson has had his sites set on adapting Thomas Pynchon's novel INHERENT VICE for months, with Robert Downey Jr. attached to star. Now, news has broke that Downey Jr.'s out, and The Master's lead, Joaquin Phoenix, is in.

Phoenix would play Larry "Doc" Sportello, a pot-smoking private detective, embroiled in a noir tale involving the obscenely rich, the poor, crooked cops, and murder. Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison will produce the film.

The actor recently teamed with Anderson for the Oscar-nominated film, THE MASTER. Phoenix is best known for his roles in GLADIATOR, WALK THE LINE, and SIGNS.

Anderson helmed such films as Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Hard Eight and Punch-Drunk Love.