Despite recent reports suggesting a reunion between Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze might be on the horizon, Kaufman says the rumors have been blown out of proportion. Speaking during A Playlist interview with screenwriter Eva H.D. about their new short film “How To Shoot A Ghost,” Kaufman clarified that while he and Jonze have spoken about working together again, nothing is currently in development.
“I’m glad that you asked about that because that’s completely not true,” Kaufman said, addressing online speculation that emerged after comments he made during a film event in Brazil. “It’s not what I said in Brazil. What I said is—because I was asked, am I ever going to work with Spike again?—and I said, I would like to. And I’ve talked to Spike about it. And we have no plans currently. That’s what I said. And then somehow it got turned into this.”
When asked if he had written for Jonze’s reported but unproduced Netflix series, as some had speculated, Kaufman said, “No, no, I didn’t write on it.”
The conversation then turned to his long history of unrealized projects, including the oft-discussed “Frank or Francis,” a musical satire he wrote and cast around 2011 that ultimately fell apart due to financing issues. “I wouldn’t say there’s a drawer full [of unmade work], but there are certain things I’ve written that I haven’t been able to get going,” Kaufman said. “It would be nice. But the farther I get from the period of trying, you know… I think that ship has sailed.”
As for his next feature, Kaufman said he’s still seeking financing for “Later The War,” his upcoming film, which was recently shut down in Eastern Europe despite securing the cast of Eddie Redmayne and Tessa Thompson. “We’re trying to get financing for ‘Later The War.’ That’s ongoing,” Kaufman said. “We’ll see. I don’t really have anything much to report about it, except that we’re trying.”
Eva H.D. added that, although not part of that film, she and Kaufman have discussed making another short film together. “We’ve talked about doing another one of these, another short,” Kaufman said. “But, you know, as of now, we don’t have anything.”
More from this interview and “How To Shoot A Ghost” soon.
Rodrigo Perez is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Playlist, which he launched in 2008. He has worked in entertainment journalism since 2000, including at MTV, and has written for SPIN, IndieWire, Pitchfork, Complex, Magnet, and various music, film, and entertainment publications over the past two decades.
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