Joel Coen is to direct another film solo in 2025, meaning the reunion of Joel and Ethan on a movie is further put back.
After decades of working as a directing duo – a collaboration that stretches all the way back to 1984’s neo-noir, Blood Simple – the last seven years have seen a significant shift in the Coen brothers’ output. They’ve instead opted to make solo projects, with 2018’s The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs currently standing as their last film together.
While it’s been interesting to see each brother pursuing their own projects and see how they function as individual storytellers, when news emerged around a year ago that they would be reuniting to write and direct a ‘pure horror’ story, it was a welcome announcement.
According to a new report (via World Of Reel), it’s possible that we may be waiting a while longer for that project, as the outlet reports that Joel Coen has lined up another solo project for 2025. It also states that the film with Ethan has been ‘put aside’ while he works on it.
Joel’s previous solo release was 2021’s The Tragedy Of Macbeth, an icy take on Shakespeare’s tale of ambition and betrayal. There’s no word as to what his next project might entail. Meanwhile, Ethan has one film out and another one in the can. Last year saw the release of Drive-Away Dolls, which released to mixed reviews.
Meanwhile Honey, Don’t is set for a March release. It’s set in Bakersfield, California and stars Margaret Qualley (who starred in Drive-Away Dolls) playing a private eye; Aubrey Plaza will appear as a mysterious woman and Chris Evans will portray the leader of a cult.
Both brothers faced some criticism with their first solo outing for pushing their respective tones too far, but after decades of working in a partnership, you can hardly blame them for wanting to stretch the limits of their individual style. Given how early we are in the year, there’s certainly a conceivable scenario that could see Joel making his solo project and then the brothers reuniting to shoot their horror project. That’s the direction we’re hoping things go in, anyway.
When we learn more about Joel’s upcoming project and how it affects the timeline of a Coen Brothers reunion, we’ll let you know.
