It’s been years since Joel and Ethan Coen shared the director’s chair — and just when it seemed the famously inseparable brothers were poised to reunite on a new horror film, the project has quietly slipped into limbo. Though the script has long been written, and both brothers are keen to collaborate again, the timing simply isn’t lining up.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ethan Coen confirmed earlier rumours that the untitled horror film — which would mark their first joint directing effort since The Ballad of Buster Scruggs in 2018 — has been put on hold. "We’ve written something. My god, it’s at least a year ago now... But Joel is about to start something, so we kind of got out of sync," he explained.
Joel Coen, of course, already tested the solo waters with The Tragedy of Macbeth in 2021, a stark Shakespearean outing that raised eyebrows for its absence of Ethan. Now, he appears to be doubling down on solo work, while Ethan stays equally busy. His new film Honey Don't — a noir-tinged detective tale starring Aubrey Plaza, Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans — is set to premiere at Cannes this month.
Despite the scheduling clash, both Coens remain optimistic about teaming up again. "We just have to sort of get in sync," Ethan said. Horror fans — and cinephiles at large — may have to wait a little longer, but the reunion, it seems, is still very much in the cards.
