Taylor Jenkins Reid Speaks Out on the ‘Evelyn Hugo’ Movie: ‘Everyone Is Working Incredibly Hard’
Anna Kendrick is directing, but there's still no release date—here's what Reid says
Key Takeaways
- Anna Kendrick will direct the 'Evelyn Hugo' movie after two directors left.
- Taylor Jenkins Reid says the movie's team is "taking it very seriously."
- The movie adaptation still has no release date or cast announced.
One of the most anticipated book-to-screen adaptations in recent years is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which has been a bestseller for years. It’s been in the works for four years, and Taylor Jenkins Reid has thoughts about it, but there still isn’t a release date. Below, we break down what we know so far about the film.
First, what is ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ about?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was published in June 2017. It was Reid’s first historical fiction novel, and it remains one of the most popular books in Booktok history. In the book, struggling journalist Monique Grant is shocked when reclusive Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo handpicks her to write her biography. As one of the most glamorous actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Evelyn has spent decades guarding her secrets. But now she’s ready to reveal everything about her seven marriages and her complicated relationship with actress Celia St. James.
“This book had so many layers. Everything was thought of and processed. Nothing was sloppy, nothing was lacking meaning. Every single word had its reason to be written. I feel privileged to have had the honor of reading this book. It will stick to me for a very long time,” raves one Goodreads user. “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. I’m always scared of book to movie adaptations.”
What we know so far about the ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ movie
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo movie adaptation has been in the works at Netflix for a while. The script will be written by Liz Tigelaar. The director is actress Anna Kendrick; Reid will serve as an executive producer.
Initially, Leslye Headland was tapped to direct the movie, but she dropped out in February of 2025. She was replaced by Maggie Betts, who also left the project.
As of publication, none of the film’s roles have been cast and the film does not have a release date.
Taylor Jenkins Reid talks about ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ movie
Over the years Reid has given fans little nuggets of information about the The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo movie.
“There’s not much that I am allowed to say but a lot of times I think people mistake me not saying anything as a lack of interest or focus and that’s not the case,” she told the Associated Press in May 2025. “Everyone is working incredibly hard to get this movie made and everyone knows that there is a lot of pressure to get it exactly right. We’re all hard at work. 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. They want to make them happy.”
Reid also teased what people can expect from the cast, telling People magazine,“We got to get Evelyn Hugo exactly right.”
“I feel quite confident that every single person that I’ve chosen to oversee these adaptations is taking them so seriously [and] has such sincerity,” she added. “They’re all doing a very good job.”
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