The best-selling novel that captivated millions of readers is finally taking another massive step toward the screen. This time, Hollywood icon Anna Kendrick is officially at the helm.
For years, fans of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” have debated one burning question: who should step into the glamorous shoes of Evelyn? Now, there’s a brand-new conversation dominating social media.
According to reports first confirmed by “Deadline”, Netflix has tapped actress and film-maker Anna Kendrick to direct the highly-anticipated movie adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s beloved novel.
The move marks a major career milestone for the “Pitch Perfect” star. It also signals a fresh chapter for a project that has faced several creative shifts behind the scenes.
For readers who have spent years imagining Evelyn Hugo’s glamorous gowns, devastating secrets and forbidden love story, the announcement feels massive. It is the clearest sign yet that one of the most influential novels of the last decade is moving safely out of development delays and into active reality.
Pulling back the curtain on old Hollywood
Few books have captured the global imagination quite like “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”.
Since its release in 2017, the novel has mutated into a global phenomenon, driven by fierce word-of-mouth recommendations, celebrity book clubs and the unstoppable, algorithmic force of BookTok.
The film will closely mirror the book’s sensational plot: it follows a young journalist’s long-awaited, exclusive interview with Hugo, an ageing and fiercely private Hollywood starlet. Hugo unexpectedly decides to pull back the curtain on her legendary life, revealing the calculations behind her seven marriages.
While the title flashes a spotlight on her seven husbands, readers quickly discover that the true emotional centre of the narrative lies in her lifelong romance with fellow actress Celia St. James. It explores the devastating sacrifices women make to survive in a ruthless industry built entirely on image, power and public perception.
Kendrick’s biggest career leap yet
For Kendrick, stepping back behind the camera is more than just another studio gig.
She is reuniting with Netflix following the smash success of her directorial debut, “Woman of the Hour”, which originally scored a glowing 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes after a multimillion-dollar festival acquisition. That dark, confident thriller instantly positioned her as one of Hollywood’s most exciting emerging female directors.
Directing Hugo places Kendrick in charge of a high-stakes studio priority, carrying enormous expectations. Kendrick has spent much of her career portraying complex women navigating ambition, vulnerability and public perception, themes that sit at the very core of this world.
To bring this nuanced world to life, Netflix has assembled a heavy-hitting creative team.
Acclaimed screenwriter Liz Tigelaar (“Little Fires Everywhere”) penned the first draft of the script. Powerhouse writer Francesca Sloane (“Mr. & Mrs Smith” and “Atlanta”) is currently handling the script revisions.
The film is being produced by industry veterans Liza Chasin via 3Dot Productions, Brad Mendelsohn for Circle Management + Productions, and David Hinojosa (“Past Lives”), with author Taylor Jenkins Reid heavily involved as an executive producer.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels have become absolute cultural touchstones, especially among Millennial and Gen Z readers who demand emotionally-rich stories with beautifully flawed female protagonists.
The upcoming adaptation is also another reminder of BookTok’s growing influence on Hollywood. Reid is one of the biggest beneficiaries of that cultural shift. Her books have sold more than 24 million copies worldwide and have inspired multiple screen projects, including “Daisy Jones & The Six”, “One True Loves”, “Malibu Rising” and “Carrie Soto Is Back”.
Casting speculation is already everywhere
The final chapter of production remains under wraps. Netflix has not yet locked down any official casting announcements and production timelines are still being finalised as the script wraps up revisions.
However, the internet has spent years fiercely dream-casting the leads. While names like Jessica Chastain were heavily championed by fans for Celia St. James, the actress previously clarified there is “zero possibility” of her taking the role.
Meanwhile, names like Ana de Armas and Eiza González continue to dominate the fan-casting circles for the role of Evelyn, with both actresses publicly noting it would be an absolute honour to play the iconic starlet.
If early social media reactions to Kendrick’s hiring are anything to go by, audiences are already lining up and saving themselves a seat in the front row.
