If “Heaven Knows What” put writer/directors Josh and Benny Safdie on the map, it was this year’s “Good Time” starring Robert Pattinson that truly announced to the world that the pair were a filmmaking team of note. However, its been a long journey for the Safdies, who have put in a decade or so of moviemaking just to get to this point. Doors are starting to open, but the pair is in no hurry to rush to the big opportunities that are coming their way.
Speaking with The Independent, the pair reveal that among the calls they’ve received, was an offer to go down the superhero road. Whether it was Marvel or DC who rung them up, they won’t say (share your guesses in the comments section!), however, it’s not something they’re interested in doing. At least not yet. The Safdies have plenty of options on the table as it is.
“It’s been intense,” Josh Safdie said. “ ‘Uncut Gems‘ is going to be a lot bigger than before. Then we’re talking about doing a remake of a movie. It’s weird, a studio offered us to do a sequel to this huge comic-book thing. We just said, ‘No, we don’t wanna do that!’ But we are interested in working in the studio system, so we’re talking about doing something there. Timing is difficult. For the first time in my life, I can see 18 months ahead. I’ve never been able to look a month ahead. Now, I open up a calendar and go, ‘Shit, what am I doing in 2019.’ ”
Among the projects are a TV show and a music video, but “Uncut Gems” is certainly their biggest step yet. Martin Scorsese has already put his name on the project as an executive producer, with Jonah Hill slated to star. The story takes place in the corrupt world of New York City’s diamond district, with Hill playing Howard Ratner. Filming is expected to begin next summer.
For now, the duo will enjoy one last victory lap for “Good Time,” which snatched up a handful of Indie Spirit Award nominations. As for the future, the Safdies seem poised to stay true to their unpredictable selves.