EXCLUSIVE: Following the success of his directorial debut,« Woman of the Hour» Anna Kendrick is re-teaming with Netflix for her next directorial venture, setting her sights on one of the studio's most high-profile adaptations. Sources tell Deadline that Kendrick will direct Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel. «Seven Husbands "Evelyn Hugo". Lisa Chasin through 3Dot Productions, Brad Mendelsohn of Circle Management + Productions and David Hinojosa will produce.
Based on Reed's sensational, New York Times bestselling novel, the film chronicles a young journalist's long-awaited interview with Evelyn Hugo, an aging Hollywood star who lifts the veil on her seven marriages. Recounting Hollywood scandals, betrayals, and heartbreaks, she reveals shocking truths about her life and the lives of those around her. Liz Tigelaar wrote the first draft of the screenplay, and Francesca Sloan is currently working on the revisions.
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Jenkins Reid will serve as executive producer.
Jenkins Reid's novel has sold over 24 million copies worldwide in 43 languages (including English). She has also built an impressive career, building a devoted social media following. On TikTok alone, Taylor has amassed 783 million views, and «The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo» — 759 million. Her books have been selected by GMA Book Club, Reese's Book Club, Read with Jenna, Indie Next, Best of Amazon, and Book of the Month. Prime Video and Hello Sunshine released a miniseries based on Reed's book. «Daisy Jones and the Six.
Her latest novel «"Atmosphere"» was named a 2025 Book of the Year by Target and won the 2025 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. In addition to being selected for book club screening, Good Morning America , it also reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
RELATED NEWS: Eiza González Says She Got Natalie Portman's Approval for Playing Evelyn Hugo: 'It Would Be Such an Honor'«
While Kendrick continues to actively act in films, including in the film "One More Simple Favor"« , she is in no hurry to make her directorial debut in the film «Woman of the Hour» , a film about a serial killer and his dating game, for which Netflix paid an eight-figure sum when it premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival.
Following the success of that film, Netflix went to great lengths to ensure that her next directorial effort would be with them, and after reviewing several scripts Evelyn Hugo seemed like the most suitable candidate, given how highly the studio has valued the project since acquiring the rights in 2022.
Kendrick's next project in her acting career will be an A24 film. «Misty Green» director Chris Rock. She is represented by Range Media Partners, CAA, and attorney Todd Rubenstein. Jenkins Reid is represented by Circle Management + Production, WME, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
RELATED NEWS: Book adaptations to be released in 2026
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