Anna Kendrick has been tapped to direct Netflix’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Two other filmmakers, Maggie Betts and Leslie Headland, were previously attached to the project, but resigned for unknown reasons.
Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2017 bestselling novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story of a fictional aging Hollywood star who gives her final interview to an unnamed journalist. The secretive celebrity reveals the true story of her seven infamous marriages, as well as a wild tale of showbiz scandal, betrayal, and bitterness.
Netflix acquired the rights in 2022, but the project has struggled to get off the ground. Cast details have not been announced. Fans of the novel have been vocal about wanting Jessica Chastain to play the titular role of iconic redhead Evelyn Hugo, but Jessica Chastain said a few years ago that there was “zero” chance of that happening.
Liz Tigelaar, whose credits include Tiny Beautiful Things and Little Fires Everywhere, wrote the first draft of the script. Francesca Sloan (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Atlanta, Fargo, Big Little Lies Season 3) is currently revising.
This is Mr. Reed’s second novel to receive the Hollywood treatment, following Amazon’s 2023 limited series “Daisy Jones & the Six,” which was loosely based on Fleetwood Mac’s recording of “Rumours.” Reed will executive produce The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with Margaret Chernin. Liza Chasin of 3Dot Productions and Brad Mendelsohn of Circle Management + Productions serve as producers.
Kendrick is best known as an actress in the “Pitch Perfect” and “Twilight” series. She made her directorial debut with Woman of the Hour, which Netflix made an eight-figure box office hit and submitted to the 2023 Toronto Film Festival. Kendrick will next be seen in Chris Rock’s drama “Misty Green” and Lauren Miller Rogen’s comedy “Babies.” Deadline first reported the news of Kendrick’s hiring.
