Uncut Gems is widely considered a revival movie for Adam Sandler who was struggling with critically panned films. The Safdie brothers, Josh and Benny, directed the anxiety-inducing thriller after their earlier critically acclaimed movie, Good Time. The brothers have since had a fallout and Josh Safdie has been struggling to land a movie while Benny Safdie’s career is thriving. According to reports, Josh has turned to Sandler to save his rocky career.
Reportedly, Sandler and Josh had a few issues going between them, however, the 50 First Dates actor has now given Josh a chance to direct his upcoming Netflix comedy special. The transition from successful movies to a comedy special is reportedly humbling for the director.
Adam Sandler Gives Josh Safdie A Chance Despite Their Alleged Rift
Not long ago, Benny Safdie came public about splitting up with his brother and co-director Josh Safdie to pursue a career of his own. According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Josh has been struggling ever since to land good projects as a director. In an earlier episode of The Hot Mic podcast, Sneider talked about Josh’s volatile behavior and his falling out with not just his brother Benny but also Adam Sandler.
In the latest episode of The Hot Mic, Sneider’s co-host John Rocha revealed the news that Josh is directing a Netflix comedy special starring Sandler. Sneider had an interesting back story for the news as he revealed that it was a humbling moment for the Safdie brother who had been displaying questionable behavior.
Unlike Benny Safdie’s successful career, Josh has had little luck. The Safdie brother’s announced MLB project with Ben Affleck and Megan Thee Stallion was put on indefinite pause, partly due to the split and partly due to the strikes last year. It might have been a final straw as Sneider shared that the struggling Josh finally reached out to the one person who could save his career. Sandler has a reputation for going to extreme lengths to help out those he calls ‘friends’.
When the director who helped revive his career reportedly approached him, it was very Sandler-like to throw him a bone. Earlier, Sneider hinted at Josh Safdie’s questionable behavior when he shared that Safdie and Sandler had their own “falling out”. If that’s true, the new development suggests that Josh is trying to mend his ways. Jeff Sneider revealed on the latest episode of The Hot Mic:
“Josh tried to like, again this is what I was told, set up other projects and stuff like that and he just couldn’t. For whatever reason, he’s struggling right now and he went back to Adam, sort of cap in hand, like, ‘Adam, I gotta work. My brother’s doing very well and look what we did for your career. Can you help me out?’ Sandler being the f**king mensch that he is, who is very loyal to his friends and stuff like that, he threw him a bone. He said, ‘You know what kid, you can direct my Netflix comedy special.'”
Interestingly, the issues between the Safdie brothers and between Josh and Adam Sandler effectively led to the potential cancelation of the highly-anticipated Uncut Gems sequel.
The Safdie Brothers’ Notorious Split That Ended Plans For Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems 2
In an interview with Variety, Benny Safdie revealed that bowing out of the working relationship with his brother was a “natural progression”. Safdie shared that he wanted to make his own films and explore his own things. Safdie has since ventured into other projects, most notably, in acting roles. Benny Safdie shared with Variety:
“It’s a natural progression of what we each want to explore. 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.”
While Benny insists that he parted ways with Josh amicably, many doubt the claim. Benny Safdie leaving the partnership also meant dropping out of films like Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems 2 and Ben Affleck’s MLB drama. Many speculate that it was Josh’s arrogant and self-destructive behavior that drove Benny away from his brother (via The Hot Mic).
However, the split seems to have not affected Benny much, who recently acted in projects like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Oppenheimer, and The Curse. In the Showtime series The Curse, Benny Safdie shares the screen with Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder. Interestingly, Safdie and Fielder are also the co-creators of the show. Uncut Gems is now available for streaming on Netflix.
