Charlie Kaufman is the latest big name filmmaker to take advantage of Netflix‘s seemingly infinite amount of funds. The writer of Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind and Synecdoche, New York will write and direct an adaptation of Iain Reid‘s novel, I’m Thinking Of Ending Things, for the streaming giant.
Reid’s novel is a literary thriller which revolves around a couple who go on a road trip but make an unexpected detour, and explores the depths of the human psyche while questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear and the limitations of solitude. Basically, it already sounds like a Kaufman project.
Kaufman’s career has stumbled despite his critical success since he’s never been a filmmaker to draw large audiences to his work. Thus Netflix is the perfect partner for him, as they’ll likely give him huge creative freedom as they search for more critically acclaimed work to add to their service, while Kaufman can take advantage of the freedom and time he’ll be afforded to make the film without studio pressure.
Kaufman looked like he’d had to move away from his niche, personal storytelling in order to get work as he had been working on an adaptation of the YA novel, Chaos Walking, which is now going to be a blockbuster starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley. He’s been candid about his frustration with financing in the past, so he’s probably giddy at this opportunity.
When the bulk of Netflix’s Original Film catalogue is made up of poor Adam Sandler comedies and throwaway indie dramas it has been hard to take them seriously at times.
There are some gems in there, but with Netflix now bringing Kaufman on board, and with Martin Scorsese‘s The Irishman to come, they’ll be quickly turning some cinephile heads their way as they strive for respectability and critical acclaim.
#Peace.Love.Kaufman
