Benny Safdie joins Lionsgate adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie, fresh off being cast in the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series, has joined the cast of Lionsgate’s anticipated adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, according to Erin Westernman, Lionsgate’s President of Production.
Safdie will play Margaret’s father, Herb, which the book describes as a Jewish insurance salesman who is married to Barbara, a Christian housewife.
RELATED: Kathy Bates Joins Lionsgate’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Adaptation
Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret tells the timeless, coming-of-age story of Margaret Simon, a sixth grader who is questioning everything about adolescence and puberty and searching the universe for whatever answers she can find. With her mother and grandmother 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.
The film also stars Abby Ryder Fortson, best-known for her scene-stealing performances in Marvel’s Ant-Man series, who portrays the lead role of Margaret Simon, Academy Award nominee Rachel McAdams (Game Night) stars as Margaret’s mother, Barbara, and Oscar winner Kathy Bates (Titanic) as Margaret’s grandmother, Sylvia.
Academy Award-winning producer James L. Brooks (As Good As It Gets) produces via his Gracie Films banner, re-teaming with Craig following their collaboration on the acclaimed film The Edge of Seventeen. Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Amy Brooks, Fremon Craig, and Blume will join Brooks as producers.
RELATED: Rachel McAdams & Abby Ryder Fortson to Star in Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
As mentioned above, Safdie is currently filming the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series for Disney+, but has also appeared in films such as Person to Person and Pieces of a Woman.He will also star in Showtime’s TV series The Curse with Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder. He also wrote and directed the Adam Sandler drama Uncut Gems with his brother Josh; and likewise teamed up with his sibling for the crime thriller Good Time, starring Robert Pattinson.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
