In the heat of the 2026 awards season, there is no conversation more anticipated than Variety’s annual “Directors on Directors” series. Today the publication revealed the four high-profile pairings that will anchor this year’s deep dives into craft, vision, and the future of the medium. These filmed conversations have become a staple for Oscar prognosticators and film students alike, offering an unfiltered look at how the world’s most influential filmmakers view each other’s work. This year’s roster is particularly eclectic, bridging the gap between the “Old Guard” of New York cinema and the bold, experimental voices of the modern A24 and Marvel eras.
The 2025 Lineup
Guillermo del Toro and Bradley Cooper
This pairing marks a fascinating full-circle moment for the two artists. Having collaborated on the neo-noir Nightmare Alley, they reunite to discuss del Toro’s visually stunning 2025 reimagining of Frankenstein and Cooper’s latest directorial effort, the musical drama Is This Thing On?. Expect a deep dive into the architecture of monsters—both literal and metaphorical—and the challenge of balancing high-concept production design with raw, intimate performances.
Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg
Longtime on-screen collaborators (Adventureland, American Ultra), Stewart and Eisenberg sit down this year as two of the most exciting new voices behind the camera. Stewart will discuss her highly anticipated directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, while Eisenberg explores the success of his sophomore feature, A Real Pain. This conversation is expected to focus on the transition from acting to directing and how to maintain an “indie” spirit within the Hollywood machine.
Ryan Coogler and Spike Lee
A meeting between two generations of Black cinematic excellence. Coogler enters the conversation following the massive buzz for his 2025 vampire epic Sinners, while Lee returns to the spotlight with his high-stakes thriller Highest 2 Lowest (starring Denzel Washington). This dialogue will undoubtedly touch upon the responsibility of the Black auteur, the evolution of the “Brooklyn aesthetic,” and the technical demands of shooting high-tension genre films in the modern era.
Chloé Zhao and Josh Safdie
Perhaps the most stylistically diverse pairing of the year, Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao and indie firebrand Josh Safdie come together to discuss their latest hits. Zhao will offer insights into her literary adaptation Hamnet, while Safdie breaks down the manic, high-wire energy of his solo directorial debut, the ping-pong odyssey Marty Supreme. Fans are eager to hear how Zhao’s meditative, naturalistic approach clashes or converges with Safdie’s trademark “anxiety-inducing” realism.