How the Coen Brothers’ Remake of The Ladykillers Fell Apart

It ’s a risky move for any director or actor to dive into a film they’re not fully passionate about. For filmmakers as unique as the Coen brothers, whose signature style shapes every project they touch, that risk is even greater. After two decades of redefining American cinema with their inventive and acclaimed work throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Joel and Ethan Coen seemed ready for something different. But in trying to shake things up, they nearly lost their creative spark.

Creative Fatigue and Unusual Choices

The early 2000s marked a strange chapter for the siblings. Their first film of the new millennium, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, was a wild, comedic ride, while The Man Who Wasn’t There showcased all their trademark quirks and cinematic tricks. But soon after, critics accused them of selling out. When they cast George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the glossy romantic comedy Intolerable Cruelty, it was the first time they’d stepped in as directors for a project they hadn’t originated. Originally, they weren’t even supposed to direct it, but after Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme left, the Coens took over, delivering a film that was solid but forgettable.

A Reluctant Remake

Their next move was even more unexpected. The Coens wrote a script for a new version of the British classic The Ladykillers, intending it for Barry Sonnenfeld to direct. Despite having Tom Hanks in the lead and the Coens’ creative minds at the helm, doubts lingered from the start. Hanks himself sensed trouble ahead, telling

“I know that when it comes time to talk to English papers, they’ll just crucify us for doing it. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter. It’s not like we were gonna remake Jaws. But nor is it Scaramouche. It’s this other kind of thing.”

The skepticism wasn’t limited to the British press. The film failed to win over critics or audiences. The Coens admitted they never felt a spark for the project. Joel reflected,

“In the abstract, we never would have said, ‘Let’s remake The Ladykillers.’”

Ethan added,

“We wrote it for Barry Sonnenfeld, who was going to direct.”

Even Hanks was hesitant, saying,

“If someone had said to me, ‘Listen, I’m sending you a script that’s a remake of The Ladykillers that Disney is making’, there’s just no way. I never would have got to reading it.”

He only reconsidered because the Coens were involved, but that uncertainty showed in the final product.

A Rare Misfire

Though the film managed a modest box office return, it’s widely seen as the weakest entry in the Coens’ joint filmography. Even with top-tier talent, it’s tough to salvage a project that feels doomed from the outset. The lack of genuine enthusiasm from everyone involved was evident on screen. Fortunately, the brothers’ next film, No Country for Old Men, marked a triumphant return to form.