Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, and Martin Short join 'Inherent Vice'

The fact that Reese Witherspoon is now joining Paul Thomas Anderson's retro detective comedy Inherent Vice in a way seems like it was always meant to be. First of all, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix, who she starred with in Walk the Line and won her only Oscar for Best Actress. But think back to June of 2010 and she was one of Anderson's top choices to take the female supporting role in The Master, before it ultimately went to Amy Adams. Looks like good things really do come to those who wait.

Witherspoon may be the biggest new addition, but Anderson has been busy filling out the ranks by including Jena Malone (Saved!) and comedy legend Martin Short. With Benicio Del Toro and Owen Wilson also attached, Anderson is pulling together a truly exciting crew for the adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's 1960s mystery novel, which is set in drug-fueled Los Angeles follows detective "Doc" Sportello (Phoenix) as he investigates the kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend.

It's unclear what role Witherspoon will tackle, but there are a couple of options. Owen Wilson has recently been revealed to play presumed-dead musician Coy Harlingen, so it's possible that she could play his wife. Or she could be Sportello's missing ex, and the one who basically sets the plot in motion. Short's role is being kept a secret for now, while Malone will play a drug addict seeking Sportello's help.

However things turn out, Witherspoon is on a roll right now. She can be seen now opposite Matthew McConaughey in Mud, and has Atom Egoyan's Devil's Knot later this year. [TheWrap]