Hollywood star Anna Kendrick is set to return to the director’s chair, taking on the highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. The project marks Kendrick’s second directorial venture following her acclaimed debut and adds another major milestone to her already multifaceted career as an actor, producer, and filmmaker.
The adaptation is being scripted by Liz Tigelaar, known for her work on several acclaimed television dramas, with additional revisions currently being handled by Francesca Sloane. The film is being produced by Liza Chasin under the banner of 3Dot Productions alongside Brad Mendelsohn of Circle of Confusion. Author Taylor Jenkins Reid and Margaret Chernin will serve as executive producers, ensuring that the spirit and vision of the beloved novel remain central to the adaptation.
Originally published in 2017, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo became a literary phenomenon and developed a passionate global fanbase. The novel follows the life of Evelyn Hugo, a legendary and fiercely private Hollywood icon who decides, late in life, to reveal the truth behind her extraordinary career and personal relationships. To tell her story, she chooses little-known journalist Monique Grant and grants her exclusive access to a lifetime of closely guarded secrets.
As Monique listens to Evelyn’s account, the glamorous star recounts her rise to fame during Hollywood’s golden age, detailing the sacrifices, ambitions, and controversies that shaped her journey. Long a fixture of tabloid headlines, Evelyn finally opens up about her seven marriages, the complicated relationships that defined her life, and the hidden truths behind the carefully crafted public image she maintained for decades.
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As the story unfolds, Monique begins to realise that she has a far deeper connection to Evelyn than she initially imagined, leading to revelations that change both women’s lives forever. The novel has been widely praised for its exploration of fame, identity, love, ambition, and the price of success. Its rich portrayal of old Hollywood glamour, combined with emotionally resonant storytelling, has made it one of the most sought-after contemporary books for adaptation.
Kendrick’s appointment as director has generated significant excitement among fans of the novel and industry observers alike.
The actress made her directorial debut with the 2023 crime thriller Woman of the Hour, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and earned praise for its confident storytelling and atmospheric direction. The film showcased Kendrick’s ability to handle complex narratives and marked a successful transition behind the camera.
In addition to directing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Kendrick continues to maintain a busy acting schedule. She is attached to upcoming projects including the comedy Babies and the drama Misty Green. Her most recent screen appearance came in Another Simple Favor, the sequel to the 2018 hit thriller-comedy A Simple Favor, which was released in 2025.
With a bestselling source novel, an experienced creative team, and Kendrick at the helm, Netflix’s adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is shaping up to be one of the platform’s most closely watched literary adaptations in development.
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