Lionsgate recently announced that actor-filmmaker Benny Safdie has joined the cast of its adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Based on the 1970 novel of the same title by beloved children’s author Judy Blume, Safdie will play Margaret’s father Herb Simon.

Said to already be in production, the adaptation is written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, the filmmaker behind The Edge of Seventeen, starring Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson. Craig is re-collaborating with Gracie Films (The Edge of Seventeen) and its founder James L. Brooks for the film. 

Already onboard for the film are Rachel McAdams as Margaret’s mother Barbara Simon and Kathy Bates as Margaret’s paternal grandmother Sylvia. In the role of pubescent Margaret is Abby Ryder Fortson who previously starred in Ant-Man alongside Paul Rudd. 

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a coming-of-age story centering around young Margaret Simon. The sixth-grader has many questions about adolescence and puberty and calls out to her family and the universe for some answers. Margaret’s search resonates with each member of her family as they all come to realize that they too don’t have life all figured out.

The role of Herb Simon marks a new addition to Benny Safdie’s growing list of creative projects. He has recently signed on to the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. Aftering playing a feature role in Pieces of a Woman, he is set to act in Paul Thomas Anderson’s next film and in the The Curse, a new series on Showtime. He is well known for his part in filmmaking duo The Safdie Brothers alongside his brother Josh. Together they have created the popular films Good Time and UnCut Gems.