The Safdie Brother’s Baseball Memorabilia Film Starring Adam Sandler Is “On Pause,” Says Benny Safdie

Another day, another rumor essentially confirmed. So, you’ll remember that in April 2022, it was reported that Adam Sandler and The Safdie Brothers (“Good Time”) were going to make a follow-up film to their critically acclaimed collaboration “Uncut Gems.” The movie, for Netflix, was supposed to shoot in the late winter of 2023 for a 2024 release. But then the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes happened and messed up all plans. The scuttlebutt whisper from there was that the Safdie Brothers’ movie was being put on hold and or may not happen because of scheduling—Sandler had a 2023 window to shoot their film, and he missed it.

READ MORE: Benny Safdie Confirms He Won’t Direct With His Brother On New Film Starring Adam Sandler

And that’s been somewhat confirmed, at least the part that it’s on hold. In a recent Variety piece with Benny Safdie, one-half of the Safdie Brothers, Benny admitted the film is now “on pause.” Sandler recently suggested the same, saying the film had been derailed by the strikes and had said, “I’m not sure when it’s going to happen,” casting some doubt on the project.

In the interview, Benny also re-confirmed what had been revealed a few months earlier: only Josh Safdie was intended to direct the Untitled Sandler follow-up film and that the brothers were going their separate ways to direct their own projects.

The trade article also confirmed the rumored plot: the film, which was supposed to co-star Megan Thee Stallion, was “set in the world of sports memorabilia and baseball” (though more specifically, it’s rumored to be about the world of baseball card trading too).

When asked whether he’ll direct with Josh again, he shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Now, that doesn’t mean there is animosity between the two brothers. “It’s a natural progression of what we each want to explore,” Benny Safdie explained of their creative split. “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.”

This all makes sense, too. Benny Safdie has a whole side hustle as an actor. He was cast in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” had a sizeable part in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” this past summer, and also had a significant role as the loving father in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” In order for Safdie to enjoy the luxury of these acting gigs, he’s probably going to have to work on his own timetable rather than share one with another filmmaker who doesn’t have to work around such gigs. Benny also recently co-starred, co-directed, and co-wrote “The Curse,” starring Emma Stone, alongside comedian Nathan Fielder (read our review: it’s terrific but strange), so he’s clearly already doing work outside of collaborations with his brother.

Variety points out that Benny was initially set to direct the Untitled Sandler movie with Josh but notes he did “not co-write the script and hasn’t been a meaningful part of the creative process, despite reports to the contrary. “

Last year, Sandler said the script had “romantic” elements to it.

“They’re working hard on it,” Sandler said in another separate 2023 interview about the Safdies and this proposed project. “Their work ethic is bananas. They’re always working, always writing, always thinking. I don’t know what I can tell you, but it’s gonna be very exciting. It’s different. But I don’t want them to ever say, ‘What the hell did you tell him that for?’ So I’ll just let them talk [about it].”

Who knows what’s going to happen with the project (which featured a first draft that was 340 pages long), but given all these reports, it’s not exactly looking great at the moment. Next up for Sandler is a Netflix Noah Baumbach movie, which will co-star George Clooney.

Check out this fun “Question & Answer” bonus feature from the Criterion Collection release of “Uncut Gems.”