Anna Kendrick is set to direct the adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” at Netflix, TheWrap has learned.
Maggie Betts and Leslye Headland were previously attached to direct the project.
The book and film tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a fading Hollywood star, who reveals to a young journalist the secrets and scandals of her career, as well as her life with her seven husbands. “Little Fires Everywhere” screenwriter Liz Tigelaar will write the adaptation.
The book has been a hot property since its publication in 2017. It’s already spent over 120 weeks in a row on the New York Times bestseller list. The book was initially planned as a series for Freeform before Netflix secured the rights for a film adaptation.
Jenkins Reid has become a massively adaptable author in recent years. Amazon’s Prime Video released a TV adaptation of her musical drama “Daisy Jones and the Six,” while a filmed version of “One True Loves” debuted in theaters back in April 2023
Liza Chasin for 3Dot Productions, Brad Mendelsohn for Circle of Confusion and David Hinojosa will produce, with Jenkins Reid as executive producer.
Jenkins Reid has sold over 24 million copies worldwide in 43 languages (including English). Additionally, she has built an impressive career that has garnered a dedicated following on social media. On TikTok alone, Taylor’s name has garnered 783 million views, and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” gathering 759 million views. Her books have been chosen by GMA Book Club, Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, Indie Next, Best of Amazon, and Book of the Month.
Kendrick is repped by Range Media Partners, CAA and attorney Todd Rubenstein. Jenkins Reid is repped by Circle Management + Production, WME and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
Deadline first reported the news.
