Paramount wanted a reboot. The Safdies delivered a reinvention so radical the studio didn’t even recognize the IP.
Back in 2017, Josh and Benny Safdie—fresh off the kinetic stress-inducer Good Time—were tasked with reimagining Walter Hill‘s 1982 buddy-cop classic 48 Hrs. The project had momentum, with comedian Jerrod Carmichael eyed to star. But just as quickly as it appeared, the project vanished into development hell. Now, in a candid conversation on Deadline’s Crew Call podcast, Josh Safdie and writing partner Ronnie Bronstein have finally explained why the project is dead.
It wasn’t a scheduling conflict. It was a fundamental clash of philosophy.
“This Is An Original Film”
Studios generally want the familiar with a fresh coat of paint. The Safdies, whose trademark style is described as “visceral, gutter-poetry,” don’t do familiar. When they handed in their draft to Paramount, the executives were reportedly baffled.
“We wrote a remake of 48 Hrs for Paramount, and they read it, and they were like, ‘This isn’t a remake, what is this? This is an original film,’” Josh Safdie recalled.
The duo’s response was typically blunt: “Sorry, we tried.”
While the 1982 original defined the genre by pairing Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, Safdie admitted his intention was never to simply replicate that formula. The rejection highlights a recurring friction in modern Hollywood: hiring auteurs for their unique voice, then balking when they actually use it.
The Tank Is Drained
Since the split from the 48 Hrs project, the brothers have gone separate ways. The rejection likely cleared the runway for Uncut Gems, giving us the Adam Sandler anxiety-thriller earlier than expected.
Currently, Josh and Benny are pursuing solo ventures—Benny with The Smashing Machine and Josh with the triumphant Marty Supreme. As for future collaborations between Safdie and Bronstein? Don’t hold your breath just yet. When asked about what’s next, the pair admitted there is “nothing in the can” and described their creative tank as “completely drained.”
There is a glimmer of hope for the Adam Sandler baseball card movie that was derailed by the 2023 strikes, but for now, the Safdie-verse is on pause. We are left only to wonder what a Safdie-brothers buddy-cop movie would have looked like—evidently, something entirely its own.
Summary
- The Project: In 2017, the Safdie brothers were hired by Paramount to reboot 48 Hrs, potentially starring Jerrod Carmichael.
- The Rejection: Paramount killed the project because the script was “too original” and didn’t feel like a remake of the 1982 Walter Hill film.
- Current Status: The project is dead. Josh Safdie admits they tried but couldn’t replicate the standard formula.
- Solo Paths: Josh and Benny Safdie have since parted ways for solo projects like Marty Supreme (Josh) and The Smashing Machine (Benny).
- Future: Safdie and writing partner Ronnie Bronstein say their creative tank is “drained,” though a stalled Adam Sandler baseball movie remains a possibility.
FAQ: 48 Hrs Remake
Why did Paramount cancel the Safdie Brothers’ 48 Hrs remake?
Paramount rejected the script because it strayed too far from the source material. According to Josh Safdie, executives told them it read like an “original film” rather than a remake of the 1982 buddy‑cop classic.
Who was going to star in the remake?
Jerrod Carmichael was reportedly eyed to star in the film back in 2017, shortly after the brothers released Good Time.
Are Josh and Benny Safdie still making movies together?
Currently, no. The brothers have pursued solo careers. Benny directed The Smashing Machine, while Josh recently worked on Marty Supreme.
What happened to the Adam Sandler and Josh Safdie baseball movie?
The project, which revolves around baseball card collecting, was derailed by the Hollywood strikes in 2023. While Safdie hopes it comes back into the equation, there is no confirmed production date.
