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"Uncut Gems" Is Officially Coming To Netflix In January


Netflix subscribers eatin’.

Adam Sandler is an enigma. True, he never lies nor acts dishonestly, but he remains an enigma all the same. For every Punch Drunk Love is a Jack And Jill. For every Reign Over Me there’s a That’s My Boy. His latest cinematic turn in the Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems had many going so far as to predict Oscar recognition. Alas, that day never came, and Sandler was left reflecting on the positives of the snub. 

"Uncut Gems" Is Officially Coming To Netflix In January

 Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In truth, the film’s critical success is a major win for those involved, despite it undergoing a relatively small-scale theatrical release. And it’s only going to get more recognition, as the A24-backed film is officially coming to Netflix. According to a report from Hypebeast, who caught a since-deleted tweet from the streaming giant, Uncut Gems will be joining international Netflix on January 31, with a U.S. release slated for the mysterious “soon.”

The newsis actually rather curious, given that the prestigious A24 has an exclusive streaming deal with Amazon Prime. While it’s unclear how this deal came to be arranged, the news certainly bodes well for those Netflix subscribers who missed the initial run, as well as those looking for a rewatch. Stay tuned for more news on Uncut Gems. 

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The Weeknd’s "Uncut Gems" Role Could Have Been A$AP Ferg Or Troy Ave


The Safdie Brothers almost went another direction.

For those who have already caught the critically acclaimed Uncut Gems, you’re well aware that The Weeknd (playing himself) is plays a role in the film. Today, NME sat down with the directors behind the A24 flick, Josh and Benny Safdie, who revealed that Abel wasn’t always part of the plans. In fact, there were a few other contenders in the mix, namely A$AP Ferg, who would have played a character named Privilege in Weeknd’s stead. 

The Weeknd's "Uncut Gems" Role Could Have Been A$AP Ferg Or Troy Ave

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

“Before we became friends with Weeknd, he saw a movie we made called Heaven Knows What,” explains Josh Safdie. “Then we became friends after he saw Good Time. He really liked that film a lot, and we became friends — which was awesome. Before we met him, we did a table read with A$AP Ferg. It was a character named Privilege. Before it was Ferg it was going to be an unknown, a local aspiring rapper. Actually, we talked about Troy Ave for a little bit. When we ended up landing on the proper time period with Kevin Garnett, it was with The Weeknd, right when he was breaking through with the Trilogy.”

He also reveals that some of Weeknd’s upcoming music feels like a “cousin” to the film, though he stops short of saying it’s directly inspired. For more about the Safide’s creative process, be sure to check out the full interview NME. For those who have seen the film, could you imagine A$AP Ferg or Troy Ave fitting into the world?