Safdie Brothers Have Split Creatively, Benny Confirms: ‘I Want That Freedom’

Sometimes brothers just need a time-out before they can play together again, and the Safdie brothers directing duo is no different.

Benny Safdie confirmed in an interview with Variety that he and his brother Josh have amicably decided to go their separate ways creatively, putting their upcoming follow-up to 2019's Uncut Gems on hold.

"It's a natural progression of what we each want to explore," said Benny. "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."

The brothers have directed five movies together since 2009, including Good Time (2017) starring Robert Pattinson. They were next set to co-direct a movie set in the world of baseball and sports memorabilia, which would have reunited them with Uncut Gems star Adam Sandler and also starred Megan Thee Stallion.

Benny said that movie is "on pause," noting he didn't co-write the script and hasn't been very involved creatively. When asked if they'll ever direct together again, Benny said: "I don't know."

Since their critically acclaimed work on Uncut Gems, Benny has teamed up with Nathan Fielder and A24 on the Showtime series The Curse, which they co-created and also star in with Emma Stone.

The Curse airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime and is available to stream on the Showtime app.