Benny Safdie reveals the Safdie brothers have split
Benny Safdie has confirmed that he and his brother, Josh, have gone their separate ways as directors.
The two brothers made their full-length directorial debut with Daddy Long Legs in 2009 before gaining mainstream recognition for 2017’s Good Time, starring Robert Pattinson. The Safdies followed-up the project with the award-winning Uncut Gems in 2019, featuring Adam Sandler in the lead role, but now, Benny and Josh are set to focus on individual endeavours.
In a new interview with Variety, Benny said of the split: “It’s a natural progression of what we each want to explore”. The director added: “I will direct on my own, and I will explore things that I want to explore. I want that freedom right now in my life.”
Previously, the Safdie brothers were set to reunite with Sandler on an upcoming film set in the world of sports memorabilia, but Benny has now ruled himself out of the project, which he claims is currently “on pause”.
In the same conversation, Benny said he’s unsure whether he’ll work with his brother again in the future.
Benny recently directed the Showtime series The Curse, starring Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone. In the programme, the duo play a newly married couple who are dealing with an alleged curse while starring in a home-improvement show.
Furthermore, last month, it was confirmed Benny is set to helm the upcoming A24 film, The Smashing Machine. The movie will star Dwayne Johnson and is based on the real-life story of former UFC fighter Mark Kerr.
In a statement, A24’s Noah Sacc said: “Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying. We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.”
Watch the trailer for The Curse below.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.