Writer sorry for Scientology flick; Anderson works on Hubbard biopic

The poor guy who will forever be remembered as the screenwriter of the consensus worst movie of the decade, perhaps ever, is doing a mea culpa.

J.D. Shapiro, who showed up in-person recently to accept the Razzie award for his stinker, recounts the hilarious story of how he came to work for the Church of Scientology. After all, the movie Battlefield Earth is based on a sci-fi novel by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the celebrity-studded neo-religion.

In the New York Post, Shapiro tells the whole story in a column called "I penned the suckiest movie ever - sorry!"

And speaking of Scientology, have you heard that one of America's best young film directors is making a movie about Hubbard (rocking the neckerchief at left) and the founding of his religion? Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood) is hands down my favorite director these days. He has been working for some time on getting his Scientology film off the ground. Not surprisingly, he's had some trouble finding the money to make his movie in Hollywood, where the church has for years worked very hard to win converts. Besides Travolta, star of Battlefield Earth, the church also claims as members Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and Jenna Elfman, as well as dozens of producers, directors and other behind-the-scenes entertainment types.

New York Magazine reports that Universal is passing on the project. Reports are that Hubbard's separated-at-birth twin Philip Seymour Hoffman will star, if and when Anderson gets the financial backing.

And for those who care, South Park did a devastating, truth-filled take on Scientology a couple of years ago.