Jeff Snieder had an update on The Safdies next movie, starring Adam Sandler, Gael Garcia Bernal and Ben Affleck.
Bradley Cooper was the first choice for a role, but, after “Maestro”, he was expecting a big paycheck from Netflix and they weren’t going to pay him what he wanted. They instead offered the role to Affleck.
Speaking of Affleck, his deal is progressing, he really wants to work with The Safdies. I’m willing to bet he’ll be announced very soon.
Meanwhile, Benicio Del Toro was the first choice for another role but because of budgetary issues, they couldn’t pay him and the role went to Gael Garcia Bernal instead. Del Toro was also the first choice to play Howard in “Uncut Gems,” but that role ended up being Sandler’s (for the better).
I had stated in October of last year that Timothee Chalamet was also being rumored to be part of the cast. Sneider has reignited these rumors by saying that Chalamet is indeed in talks to star, although that seems to be less of a lock than the others.
It really comes down to this: as long as Sandler wants to make this movie, Netflix will make it. The Safdies expected to get the Netflix Royal Carpet treatment when it comes to them saying yes to everything, but that is not the case due to Netflix now reigning in budgets for their films.
The success of “Uncut Gems” on the platform wasn’t enough for them to get total creative freedom, in terms of casting, from Netflix. Regardless, we have an interesting cast being assembled here.
The untitled upcoming film is set to shoot in June. They were supposed to start in April, but the script needed a few edits. Sandler had previously mentioned that it was a 340-page screenplay and that he’s been on and off working with The Safdies on it.
Earlier this year, Zack Snyder mentioned having seen James Gunn’s “Superman.” Heaping praise on it. Now he’s saying he actually hasn’t caught up with it yet?