The latest posts about Later the War.
Mentioned this briefly earlier today, but in an interview with Filmmaker Magazine to promote "How To Shoot A Ghost," Charlie made passing mention of a film being shot in Belgrade, which is probably Later The War.
Kaufman: One of the things I really liked about the idea of shooting in Belgrade for this movie that we’re going to make is that it’s such an interesting visual environment, and I want to take advantage of that. (Source)
Good news!
[Edit, 2 Sept '25: a recent comment from Charlie makes it sound like this film is still happening.]
Later The War was a surprise anouncement earlier this year--a project nobody had ever heard of, written and directed by Charlie and headed into production. World of Reel broke the news, and Deadline confirmed it.
Merely 3 months later, World of Reel reported that production had shut down. That was in May... and still nobody has confirmed that report.
So. Just a little update to say I haven't forgotten this little episode, but I have no further info on it.
Who knows?
Well, that was quick. From World of Reel, the site that first brought us news of an upcoming CK feature called Later the Water (reports later confirmed by Deadline) comes this disheartening update:
Production has shut down on Charlie Kaufman’s ”Later the War,” no clear reasons were given to me, but cast and crew have left, and one of the Polish producers bailed.
Actors Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson and Patsy Ferran were in Poland for this one, but have now left, which means we’re probably never going to see this film get made, unless the entire thing gets recast.
“Later the War” was supposed to be an adaptation of Iddo Geffen’s short story “Debby’s Dream House,” and would have continued Kaufman’s fascination, and blurring, of dreams with reality in cinema. The story follows a man who manufactures dreams for people but ultimately begins creating nightmares for them.
The project had gotten a grant from the Polish Institute of Film, and comes more than five years after the release of Kaufman’s last film “im thinking if ending things.” (Source)
Given the filming location, the shutdown could be related to Trump's tariff on American films being made overseas.
The first news about this film came less than 3 months ago. Take today's news with a pinch of salt until we hear anything else, but World of Reel are the ones who broke news of the film in the first place.
Deadline comes through with more info on last week's rumour:
Oscar-winner Charlie Kaufman has found his next project as he is set to write and direct Later The War and tapped Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson and Patsy Ferran to star. Kaufman adapted the script from the short story Debby’s Dream House by acclaimed author Iddo Gefen from his short story collection titled Jerusalem Beach.
The original short story follows a man who manufactures dreams for people but ultimately begins creating nightmares for them. Exact plot details of the feature adaptation are unknown. (Source)
Of course, Frank or Francis had a "who's who" cast lined up, How and Why filmed a pilot, so who knows how far this will go, but fingers crossed! And we have The Memory Police on the way, which does seem like it's going places, and hopefully Charlie's next novel--no news on that one, but Antkind took years to materialise after its announcement, so I don't doubt he's writing something.
And if you're particularly curious about "Debby's Dream House," u/pavingmomentum found this.
I don't know what it is, I don't know if he wrote it, and I don't know if this is legit, but World of Reel's Jordan Ruimy reports that Charlie is lined up to direct a film called Later the War with Sarah Green linked as a producer.
Two notable pieces of evidence have Kaufman’s “Later the War” starting production in 2025. Sarah Green is being linked as producer on this new film which might have gotten a grant from the Polish Institute of Film. Word is that it was secretly shopped around this month at EFM Berlin. (Source)
Personally I wish his take on IQ83 would go into production. Technically it's an adaptation, but really it's an original script with the novel as a loose inspiration.
Thanks u/pavingmomentum and Bart!
