The eagerly anticipatedadaptation of a beloved book, whose success increased thanks to its popularity on BookTok, has hit a new obstacle. Book adaptations have long been a staple within Hollywood, and recent months have seen the release and development of several major titles. Though it is now at the center of several lawsuits, the movie version ofColleen Hoover’sIt Ends With Usbecame a runaway hit in the summer of 2024, grossing $349.7 million worldwide and prompting the fast-tracked development of other adaptations of the romance author’s work.
Netflix has recently made headlines for a number of new projects it has in development, as the streamer has acquired the rights for boththe romantasy hitQuicksilverand the dark romance seriesTwisted Love. Additionally, Paramount’sChildren of Blood and Bonemovie, which first entered development at Fox 2000 in 2017, just got a huge boost by casting 12 stars, including Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Idris Elba. However,not every project has enjoyed a smooth pathforward.
The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo Loses Its Director
Leslye Headland Joined The Project In 2023
Netflix’s adaptation ofThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugohas been in the works since 2022, but it now faces a large setback. Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the book follows journalist Monique as she sits down withlegendary Hollywood star Evelyn Hugoand hears her life story. Though Evelyn is best known for being an onscreen bombshell and for her many husbands, it soon becomes apparent there is more to her story. The book was published in 2017, butrecent years have seen it explode in popularitythanks to its presence on the reading side of TikTok, known as BookTok.
The Acolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland was tapped to directThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugoin 2023, but she now confirms she’s stepped away. Speaking toVarietyabout her recent Broadway playCult of Love,Headland admits that she is no longer involved with the project, though she remains a big fan of the source material. She said:
I am no longer working on that project. I remain a huge, huge fan of the book and of the people working on it. 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.” It is the type of book that if I’d read it in my twenties, I would have had a completely different life. It’s so beautifully done.
Our Take On Headland’s Evelyn Hugo Exit
It’s Disappointing, But Could Have A Positive Side
Coming from someone who has been waiting years toseeThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugoget brought to screen, Headland’s departure is a big disappointment. Now is the perfect time to adapt this story of sweeping romance and Hollywood history, yet the project has struggled to come to fruition; before Netflix was developing a movie, a TV adaptation of Reid’s book was in the works at Freeform.
However, as Headland spent recent years working onThe AcolyteandCult of Love, perhaps her exit actually has a silver lining. She’s a very busy writer and director, and so perhapsThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugowas unable to move forward due to her schedule. Now that she has left,Netflix can find another director and continue development. Though I loved Headland’s work onCult of Loveand am sad to see her go, I have hope there is still a future for Evelyn Hugo.
