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Will author Thomas Pynchon make a cameo in the movie 'Inherent Vice'?

Pynchon's novel 'Vice' is the basis for the upcoming movie of the same name.

'Inherent Vice' is by Thomas Pynchon.
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

Will author Thomas Pynchon soon be appearing on the big screen?

Pynchon, who is the writer behind such novels as “Gravity’s Rainbow,” “Bleeding Edge,” and “The Crying of Lot 49,” is having his novel “Inherent Vice” adapted as a film by “The Master” director Paul Thomas Anderson. The cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Benicio del Toro, and many more. 

Brolin recently told the New York Times that Pynchon himself will be appearing in the film as well – interesting trivia considering, according to NPR, there isn’t even a picture of the writer that’s less than 50 years old.

Brolin discussed the author’s time on set. “I don’t think anybody knew [he was there],” the actor told the NYT. “He came on as the kind of mercurial iconoclast he is. He stayed in the corner.”

Anderson, who also adapted the novel for the screen, wouldn’t discuss whether the cameo was happening or not. “I’m staying out of it,” he told the NYT. “No. No. I just… Somebody spent a long time deciding not to have themselves out there. There’s a reason for that. So I’m just going to step out of that.”

The movie centers on Larry Sportello (Phoenix), a detective who comes to learn about the life of real estate businessman Mickey Wolfmann (Eric Roberts), the new romantic interest of his ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston).

“Vice” is being released on Dec. 12 and it’s being brought up as a possibility for Oscar prizes, though many industry watchers are withholding judgment until the movie’s released. Indiewire writer Peter Knegt says the film is a “strong contender… (at least on paper)” for a Best Picture nomination and David Sims of The Wire writes of “Vice,” “Every upcoming P.T. Anderson project requires our attention even if half the time they end up missing at the Oscars.”

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