If The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of your favorite BookTok reads and you've been anticipating the movie adaptation ever since Netflix announced it had acquired the rights to the project in 2022, then you've come to the right place.
Things have been slowly but surely brewing at Netflix for the long-anticipated take on Taylor Jenkins Reid's best-seller, and it seems like the masses are once again daydreaming about who will be cast in the movie, and when it will hit our screens.
In May 2025, Reid, who also serves as an executive producer on the movie, gave the Associated Press a much-needed update, saying, “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.” A year later, the project has found a new director, whom many will recognize.
If you don't want to miss an update on Netflix's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, we've gathered everything we know about the project so far below.
What will the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo be about?
As you've probably guessed, the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will indeed be based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's 2017 novel of the same name, which has become a phenomenon on BookTok and a New York Times best-seller.
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If you want the basic plot, here's the official synopsis for the book, as shared by publisher Simon & Schuster:
"Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways."
Of course, though the main plot will likely remain the same, the movie will also update some elements of the book. Speaking to TIME in 2025, Taylor Jenkins Reid expressed her desire to adapt the movie to reflect the #MeToo movement, which erupted after the book's publication. “There was no Harvey Weinstein conversation when I finished that book. We have a real opportunity here to further that conversation, and to make the movie better than the book,” she said at the time.
Who is working on the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
According to Deadline, Twilight and Pitch Perfect alum Anna Kendrick is set to direct the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Kendrick's reported role in the project broke on June 1, 2026, citing the success of her 2023 directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, which was also backed by Netflix, as the main reason for her involvement.
Previously, in February 2025, American screenwriter and film director Maggie Betts, known for The Burial with Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones and Novitiate with Margaret Qualley, had been announced as director. According Variety, Betts exited the project “for unknown reasons.”
Betts wasn't the only name attached to the project; Leslye Headland had also been tapped to direct the movie and had previously announced her departure. “I remain a huge, huge fan of the book and of the people working on it,” she said. “It's one of those things where you know it's going to be a huge success. I thought, ‘Damn it. It's not going to work out with me involved in it, but it is going to be wildly successful,'” she told Variety.
Betts was also set to co-write the screenplay alongside Liz Tigelaar, who's now reportedly penned the first draft on her own. Tigelaar's previous writing projects include Tiny Beautiful Things, Little Fires Everywhere, Once Upon a Time, The Clique, Dawson's Creek, and many more.
Speaking to the Associated Press in 2023, the original author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, opened up about Tigelaar penning the project, revealing she had already read a script and was “not concerned.” She added, “Liz Tigelaar is a phenomenal talent, and I said, ‘I don't know how you're going to do this. I think you need to condense the story.' And she said, ‘No, I don't.' ... And then she turns in the script, and I was like, ‘I was wrong. You were right. You got it.'”
According to both Deadline and Variety, as of June 2026, American screenwriter Francesca Sloane (whose credits include Big Little Lies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Atlanta, and Fargo, among others) is currently working on revisions for Tigelaar's draft.
Aside from Kendrick, Tigelaar, and Sloane, the project also counts the original author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, as an executive producer alongside Margaret Chernin and others.
Who is in the cast of the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
In past interviews, Taylor Jenkins Reid has emphasized the importance of casting the right actors for the titular roles in the movies, which is likely why there's been little news on the casting front. Speaking to AP in 2023, she said: “Who is going to play Evelyn Hugo and who might play Celia St. James are always on the forefront of my mind. There is no definitive answer (but) there's just a short list of women that I am incredibly, incredibly excited about.”
Despite what you might have seen online, no casting announcements have yet been made for the movie—though that's not stopping fans from dream casting and actors from throwing their names in the hat.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Cuban actor Ana de Armas said she “would love” to play the titular role, while Eiza González told E! News that "it'd be such an honor” to bring the character to life. González added, “I love the book. I love all [Reid's] stuff. I'm a huge fan.” Camila Morrone, who played Camila in another of Reid's adaptations, Daisy Jones & the Six, also revealed that she is “trying to play that part” in an interview with The Skimm.
Selena Gomez was also rumored to be in the running for Evelyn's role after Reid followed her on Instagram. Speaking to Buzzfeed News, the author said that was not the reason for the follow. “I think Selena Gomez is adorable, and I love watching her on Selena + Chef. I thought, ‘Oh, I should follow her because she seems cool.' That's all that happened,” she said. Though she later left the door open: “Selena Gomez as any character ever is not a bad idea. I love her,” Reid said.
For a while, fans dream-cast Jessica Chastain as Celia St. James, but the actor has since told E! News that there's “zero possibility” that she'll take on the role.
As far as when we can expect casting announcements? It should be rather soon. Back in May 2025, Reid's producing partner Brad Mendelsohn told TIME: “We're not casting until we have a script that's ready. There's so much attention on it because of the fan base that there is a pressure to get it right.”
When will the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo be released?
At the time of writing, Netflix has not announced a release date for the project. Though there's chatter online that it could be in 2027, we wouldn't hold our breath. Let's look at People We Meet on Vacation, a similar Netflix project, for reference. The Emily Henry adaptation premiered on the streamer in January 2026, but filming reportedly took place in the fall of 2024. Though things could be expedited once casting and scripts are finalized, we'll likely see a similar timeline, and the project is still in the development stages.
Is there a trailer for the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Or photos?
Seeing as the movie adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is still very much in its development stage, there isn't yet a first look at the project—but stay tuned in case that changes.
This post will be updated as news about the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo movie adaptation breaks.
