From Woman's World · Carissa Mosness · · 1m 40s
Anna Kendrick Takes On Evelyn Hugo
Four years, three directors, and still no cast: here's where the Evelyn Hugo movie actually stands.
In brief
Four years, three directors, and still no cast: here's where the Evelyn Hugo movie actually stands. The adaptation is moving, just slowly. Netflix now has Anna Kendrick directing, but no cast and no release date yet. Originally reported by Woman's World.
The adaptation everyone is waiting for
Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has been a bestseller since 2017. The movie has been in the works for four years with no release date.
A reporter and a legend
Struggling journalist Monique Grant is picked out of nowhere by reclusive Golden Age star Evelyn Hugo to write her biography. Evelyn is finally ready to talk.
Seven marriages, one real love
Evelyn spent decades guarding her secrets, including her complicated relationship with actress Celia St. James. The book was Reid's first historical fiction.
Readers are protective
Fans credit the book with making every word count, and they are openly nervous about a film version. That fear is exactly the pressure the team is under.
“This book would be such an amazing source material for a movie adaptation. WE NEED THIS TO HAPPEN. But I'm scared they would ruin it.”
Two directors walked away
Leslye Headland was first to direct, then dropped out in February 2025. Maggie Betts replaced her and also left the project.
Anna Kendrick is directing
The actress now has the director's chair at Netflix. Liz Tigelaar is writing the script, and Reid is an executive producer.
Silence is not disinterest
Reid says fans misread her lack of updates as a lack of focus. She credits Netflix with respecting how much the readership cares.
“We're taking it very seriously and I give Netflix so much credit because they have such an immense respect for the readership of that book.”
Casting is the whole game
No roles have been announced and there is still no release date. Reid's one public demand is the part everyone will judge first.
“We got to get Evelyn Hugo exactly right.”
The bottom line
The adaptation is moving, just slowly. Netflix now has Anna Kendrick directing, but no cast and no release date yet.
