Paul Thomas Anderson has revealed that he secretly worked on rewrites for two major film scripts. Known for works like Phantom Thread and Boogie Nights, the acclaimed filmmaker’s latest film, One Battle After Another, just hit theaters. During the press run for the film, Anderson teased that his writing credits are more varied than the public thinks.

As reported by SlashFilm, during a recent interview with Dazed, Anderson revealed that he did script work for Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. While his involvement in these scripts had been speculated before, the director finally confirmed it, saying, “I love to contribute in any way I can if somebody reaches out for help.” Read his full comments below:

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.’

Adding to this, Collider reported that rumors about Anderson’s contribution to the 2001 comedy Corky Romano have also circulated for years. While that film seems tonally far from his signature dramas, former Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Kattan alleges that Anderson contributed to the film’s script.

What This Means For Paul Thomas Anderson And One Battle After Another

Anderson’s revelations show how influential he is outside his own films. While Anderson is famous for projects like There Will Be Blood and Licorice Pizza, his uncredited work on Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon proves that some of Hollywood’s biggest directors value his talent. Even without official credit, these contributions highlight Anderson as both a visionary artist and trusted collaborator.

It’s not unusual that his work on other scripts went uncredited, as punch-up writers do not typically get official credit due to WGA rules, contracts, and other behind-the-scenes stipulations.

These revelations also reframe how audiences perceive his career at this stage. While One Battle After Another marks his latest high-profile auteur project, his behind-the-scenes contributions to other acclaimed projects prove that his creative reach extends far beyond films carrying his name.

For One Battle After Another, this context adds another layer of intrigue to the project. As the film has just premiered in theaters, audiences may approach it with more curiosity, eager to see if Anderson’s work on other projects with legendary directors informs his own storytelling.

Our Take On PTA’s Contributions To Other Films

Paul Thomas Anderson’s open admission about rewriting other scripts is a reminder that Hollywood is rarely as straightforward as auteur theory suggests. Even the most acclaimed directors occasionally leave fingerprints on films far outside their signature work, which makes their career all the more fascinating.

Ultimately, the revelation solidifies Anderson’s reputation as one of the most adaptive and quite impactful figures in modern cinema. Whether audiences are watching One Battle After Another or an entirely unrelated film, there’s a chance that Anderson, and other of their favorite directors, could have contributed to the final project.