Joel Coen Wouldn't Have Made 'Macbeth' If He Was Still Working With Ethan Coen

While the fact that Joel Coen has ventured off by himself to craft the new Apple TV+ film, “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” might be surprising to some, considering he worked the past 40-ish years alongside his brother Ethan, that doesn’t mean there’s any sort of bad blood between the two brothers. That said, Joel Coen does admit that he would have never had the chance to make ‘Macbeth’ if he continued his relationship with Ethan.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Joel Coen talked about the benefits of working with a directing partner and why he had to fly solo when making his new awards-contending feature, “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Basically, there are pros and cons to working with a partner, even if he’s your brother.

READ MORE: Joel Coen & The ‘Tragedy of Macbeth’ Cast On Adapting Shakespeare, Streaming Services, & More [NYFF]

“It’s fantastic, there’s nothing like it, when people ask if I have directing advice I tell them, ‘find a partner,’” Joel Coen said about the partnership between himself and his brother, Ethan. “It’s an enormous advantage in every way. You have someone you can turn to when things go pear-shaped and, in crass terms, you can gang up on people. I missed him a lot.”

Of course, there’s a benefit to not having a directing partner. Apparently, Joel Coen doesn’t think ‘Macbeth’ would have ever been made if he was still working alongside Ethan. But, by going solo this time, he’s able to do something that is outside of his comfort zone and make a film that he, singularly, finds interesting. Apparently, after the duo finished “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” for Netflix, Joel Coen knew the brothers would likely go their separate ways for a while.

READ MORE: ‘The Tragedy Of Macbeth’: Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand Are Fearless In Joel Coen’s Bleak, But Thrilling Adaptation [NYFF Review]

“‘I think I’m going to change it out and do some other things for awhile,’” Joel said to himself after ‘Scruggs.’ 

“I knew I’d be directing the next one by myself,” he added. “If I was working with Ethan, I wouldn’t have done ‘Macbeth,’ it would not be interesting to him.”

So, while it’s unclear whether or not the Coen Brothers will reunite for a future feature (Ethan seemingly is busy working in the realm of theatre), if the quality fo ‘Macbeth’ is indicative of what Joel Coen can do on his own, we’re excited about films from at least one Coen Brother moving forward.