Tom Cruise reportedly “has issues” with “The Master,” a new movie allegedly based on Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Paul Thomas Anderson movie starring Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman is allegedly based on Scientology, even though Anderson denies such claims, Radar Online reports. A trailer for the movie was released on Thursday. Anderson showed “The Master” to Tom Cruise, one of the most high-profile members of the Church of Scientology , who was allegedly displeased with the movie.
A list of more than a dozen similarities between “The Master” and the Church of Scientology published on The Daily Beast appear to support the notion of a close connection betwen the fictionalized religion in “The Mirror” and Scientology.
“The Master” focuses on a science fiction author who founded a “religion” during the 1950s named “Lancaster Dodd” and played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Those who have viewed the trailer and are familiar with “The Master” movie screenings believe the film is based upon the original Scientologist, L Ron Hubbard, according to The Radar Online.
According to Radar Online the character of “Dodd” wrote a book called “The Clause” and also promoted “addressing harmful past memories” and emphasizes the affect such painful incidents can have in “current life.”
L.Ron Hubbard referred to Scientology dissenters as “squirrels” and so does “Dodd” in “The Master” movie. In Hubbard’s “Dianetics” book he promotes discussing dealing with past painful memories to become content and success in the present and future.
Marc Headley, a former Scientologist also obtained a copy of “The Master” screenplay and shared his thoughts on the brewing L. Ron Hubbard connection controversy surrounding the Anderson movie with The Daily Beast – “I can tell you that even if Scientology comes out with a statement that this movie is NOT about L. Ron Hubbard or Scientology, this movie is the biggest fictional middle finger ever thrown their way.”
Headley was a member of the Sea Org Church of Scientology group before leaving the church and feels “The Master” has “numerous similarities” to Scientology.
Scenes from “The Master” include “Dodd” crafting a contract for new members of “The Clause” the name of the fictional religion created by the allegedly fictional 1950s sci-fi author. The contract requires members to commit to “3 billions years of service” – notably similar to the Church of Scientology “1 billion years” membership clause, according to The New York Post.
Both “The Master” character of “Dodd” and L. Ron Hubbard “believe” prenatal “experiences” cause a person to “behave irrationally” and that erasing such experiences and memories create a far happier individual.
“The Master” will not be released until October, but according to Radar Online, the allegedly Church of Scientology linked flick is already garnering Academy Award buzz. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal as one of the main characters in “The Master” will be Phoenix’s first movie in the past two years.