Florence Pugh will star in and produce Midnight Library, the long-awaited film adaptation of Matt Haig’s best-selling novel.
Studiocanal and Blueprint Pictures, who first optioned the film in 2020, have also tapped Garth Davis (Lion) to direct from a script by Olivier Award winner Laura Wade (Rivals, Riot Club) and Olivier and Tony Award nominee Nick Payne (We Live in Time, The Sense of an Ending).
The film is expected to enter pre-production this fall and begin filming in early 2027. Studiocanal plans to begin global sales at the Cannes market in 2026, with a theatrical release in its territories in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia and New Zealand.
In “Midnight Library”, Nora Seed finds herself in a library between life and death and has the opportunity to experience all the lives she could have lived. The story serves as an allegorical exploration of mental health, focusing on depression, suicide, and regret.
First published by Canongate Books in 2020, the novel has sold 15 million copies worldwide and been translated into 56 languages. This audiobook is read by Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan.
Graham Broadbent and Pete Chernin of Blueprint Pictures will produce the film along with Anita Overland and Pugh. Blueprint’s Ben Knight and Diarmuid McCune will serve as executive producers. Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern and Dan McRae will serve as executive producers for StudioCanal. Haig will also serve as executive producer.
“I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with director Florence Pugh on Midnight Library,” said Davis, who directed Pugh on the upcoming Netflix series East of Eden, based on the novel by John Steinbeck. “Her warmth and talent are magical and I am confident that together we can do something special with Matt’s iconic novel. This is a story that moves us both – a celebration of life in all its possibilities and complexity. I can’t wait to bring this adventure to light in partnership with Graham Broadbent, Blueprint Pictures and Studiocanal.”
Haig added: “I’m thrilled that Nora’s story is in such great hands, and that her myriad potential will be vividly awakened by the perfect team, and I can’t wait for people to see my book reimagined on the big screen.”
Mr. Pugh is represented by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and attorney JSSK. Davis is repped by United Talent Agency, Anonymous Content and Jackoway Tierman. Mr Haig is represented by Nick Marston and Camilla Young of Curtis Brown and Claire Conville of Conville & Walsh. Wade is represented by Charlotte Knight (Knight Hall Agency). Payne is represented by Lily Williams at Curtis Brown and UTA in the US.
