Netflix has landed a director for one of its most eagerly awaited book-to-screen adaptations. Actress and filmmaker Anna Kendrick will direct The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, bringing Taylor Jenkins Reid’s blockbuster novel to the streaming platform.
Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a highly anticipated Netflix adaptation.
The announcement marks a significant step forward for the long-in-development project, which Netflix acquired back in 2022. The novel became a cultural phenomenon, spreading through word-of-mouth, book clubs, and social media to build a passionate following hungry to see the story adapted.
The film follows Evelyn Hugo, a legendary Hollywood star who finally reveals the truth about her dazzling career, her seven marriages, and the pivotal love affair that defined her life. The narrative unfolds through interviews between Hugo and an unnamed journalist, exposing secrets buried since Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Kendrick’s hiring comes after some turnover in the director’s chair. Filmmaker Leslye Headland was previously attached before leaving the project, while director Maggie Betts was reportedly involved during development. The screenplay, originally penned by Liz Tigelaar, is currently being reworked by Francesca Sloane.
For Kendrick, the project represents her second feature film as director following the well-received Woman of the Hour, which Netflix released in 2023. Her move from celebrated actress to filmmaker has earned widespread praise, making her a compelling choice to handle Evelyn Hugo’s complex and emotionally layered story.
Netflix hasn’t yet announced who will play Evelyn Hugo, but fans have been weighing in with guesses. Ana de Armas, Eiza González, Sofía Vergara, and Salma Hayek have been frequently floated by readers as potential candidates for the leading role.
With Kendrick now directing, the adaptation appears to be on solid ground at last.
