Anna Kendrick has been hired to direct “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” for Netflix. Two other filmmakers, Maggie Betts and Leslye Headland, were previously attached to the project but departed for unknown reasons.
Adapted from Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling 2017 novel, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” follows a fictional Old Hollywood star who gives a final interview to an unknown journalist. During her tell-all, the fiercely private celebrity pulls back the curtain on the true story of her infamous seven marriages and other wild tales of showbiz scandals, betrayals and woes.
Netflix picked up rights in 2022 but the project has struggled to get off the ground. No casting details have been announced. Fans of the novel were vocal about wanting Jessica Chastain to play the title role of Evelyn Hugo, an iconic redhead, but the actress shared years ago that there’s “zero possibility” of it happening.
Liz Tigelaar, whose credits include “Tiny Beautiful Things” and “Little Fires Everywhere,” wrote the first draft of the script. Francesca Sloane (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Atlanta,” “Fargo,” “Big Little Lies” Season 3) is currently working on revisions.
This is Reid’s second novel to get the Hollywood treatment after Amazon’s 2023 limited series “Daisy Jones & the Six,” which was loosely based on Fleetwood Mac’s recording of “Rumours.” Reid will executive produce “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” with Margaret Chernin. Liza Chasin for 3Dot Productions, Brad Mendelsohn for Circle Management + Productions will serve as producers.
Kendrick is best known as an actress in “Pitch Perfect” and the “Twilight” saga. She made her directorial debut with “Woman of the Hour,” which Netflix shelled out eight figures to land at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival. Kendrick will appear next on screen in Chris Rock’s drama “Misty Green” and Lauren Miller Rogen’s comedy “Babies.” Deadline first reported the news of Kendrick’s hiring.
