Benny Safdieisn’t just one half of the sibling directing duo the Safdie brothers, he’s also a talented actor in his own right, and Collider can exclusively report that he has just been cast oppositeRachel McAdamsin Lionsgate’s adaptation ofJudy Blume’s beloved novelAre You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Ant-ManactressAbby Ryder Fortsonis set to star in the coming-of-age movie, which hails from writer-directorKelly Fremon Craig(The Edge of Seventeen). She’ll play the titular sixth-grader, who moves from the city to the suburbs and prays to God to watch over her as she enters puberty and becomes anxious about the changes her body is going through. With her mother (McAdams) and grandmother (Oscar winnerKathy Bates) trying to guide her through a time when everything is changing, they too find that you never stop questioning your path and defining what is meaningful in your life.
Safdie will play Margaret’s father, Herb, who in the book is depicted as a Jewish insurance salesman, while her mother, Barbara, is a Christian housewife who likes to paint. In the book, Margaret is uncertain of which religion she prefers to follow, which made her prayers that much more interesting.
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“Benny has a truly amazing talent for naturalism and I’m elated to have his collaboration on this film," said Fremon Craig, who is also producingMargaretalongsideJulie Ansell,Richard Sakai,Amy Brooksand Blume, as well asJames L. Brooks’ Gracie Films. Production is currently underway, and Lionsgate executivesMeredith WieckandChelsea Kujawaare overseeing the project for the studio.
“Benny is an incredibly soulful actor and storyteller and a true mensch. We’re honored he’s agreed to join this iconic story as Margaret’s father,” added Lionsgate’sErin Westerman, who called Blume’s book a “timeless and relevant” anthem when theMargaretmovie was first announced in March 2020.
I thought Safdie was really good asRobert Pattinson’s mentally handicapped brother inGood Time, and I enjoyed his work opposite hisUncut GemsstarAdam Sandlerin the amusing short filmGoldman v Silverman. Safdie has been taking more acting projects over the past couple years, as he can currently be seen inPieces of a Womanon Netflix, and he has also wrappedPaul Thomas Anderson’s next movie, which is expected to hit theaters this fall.
Meanwhile, Safdiejust booked a role in theObi-Wan Kenobiserieson Disney+ and he is also expected to playEmma Stone’s husband in Showtime’s comedy seriesThe Curse, which he co-created with comedianNathan Fielder. The gifted multi-hyphenate is represented by WME, Untitled Entertainment and Lichter Grossman.
[Top Photo Credit: Matt Martin]
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