Why am I not surprised? According to The InSneider, Paul Thomas Anderson rewrote Patrick Marber’s script for “What Happens at Night,” the new Martin Scorsese movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
By the way, this has nothing to do with behind-the-scenes trouble; rather, PTA was helping out friends — in this instance, Scorsese and DiCaprio. No word on whether he will actually get credited for the rewrite, but he definitely did extensive work, and this was, according to Sneider, at the request of DiCaprio.
Marber is no slouch, a Tony-winning playwright who also wrote the Oscar-nominated script for “Notes on a Scandal,” and the Golden Globe nominated “Closer.”
Then again, this isn’t the first time PTA has done this for Scorsese. Back in 2023, two solid industry sources told me that he rewrote the entirety of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and this was, again, at DiCaprio’s request. None of the trades reported on it. Was this out of respect for credited “Killers” screenwriter Eric Roth? Why should such a story be buried? It’s a big deal—Scorsese and PTA collaborating on a film together is cinephile catnip.
While promoting “One Battle After Another,” PTA was finally asked about the “rumors” of his uncredited writing on “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and, for that matter, Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” which had its lead, Joaquin Phoenix, threatening to quit production unless his friend—and “The Master” director—came in to spruce up the script.
I love to contribute in any way I can if somebody reaches out for help. Both of those things were a thing with Joaquin [Phoenix], a thing with Leo, and obviously with Marty and Ridley. It’s always a privilege to say, ‘Let me tell you my thoughts on the script […] They made me feel encouraged and confident.
It’s worth noting that credited ‘Killers’ screenwriter Eric Roth did admit to having “mixed feelings” about the finished product, and how a major rewrite had occurred after DiCaprio showed concern “that it would be too much of a great white hope story.”
Alongside DiCaprio and Lawrence, the rest of the “What Happens at Night” cast includes Jared Harris, Patricia Clarkson and Mads Mikkelsen. Apple is producing, and production is currently underway in Prague.