After much speculation, director and writer Paul Thomas Anderson finally confirmed Philip Seymour Hoffman's character—a 1950s writer who is also the leader of a spiritual movement—is based on Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Anderson even screened the pic for his Magnolia star Tom Cruise. That aside, Joaquin Phoenix is actually the film's lead, starring as an alcoholic WWII vet. (Sept. 14)