After years of development updates, creative changes, and endless fan casting debates, Netflix’s adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has finally taken a major step forward.
Anna Kendrick has officially been tapped to direct the highly anticipated film adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel, marking her second feature film behind the camera and one of the biggest directing assignments of her career.
For fans who have been waiting since Netflix acquired the rights to the novel in 2022, this is arguably the most significant update the project has received in years.
Anna Kendrick Will Direct Evelyn Hugo
According to industry reports published on June 1, 2026, Kendrick will oversee Netflix’s adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, the wildly popular novel that has sold more than 24 million copies worldwide.
The announcement comes after the project experienced several behind-the-scenes changes. Previous directors attached to the adaptation, Maggie Betts and Leslye Headland, ultimately departed, leaving fans wondering when the film would finally gain momentum.
Now, with Kendrick officially onboard, production appears ready to move into its next phase.
The move also strengthens Kendrick’s relationship with Netflix following the success of her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.
Why Anna Kendrick Is an Interesting Choice
While most audiences know Kendrick from acting roles in the Pitch Perfect franchise, the Twilight films, and numerous comedy and drama projects, she impressed critics with her first directing effort.
Her 2023 thriller Woman of the Hour earned widespread praise following its release and later became a successful Netflix title after the streamer acquired distribution rights.
The film currently holds strong critical reviews and demonstrated Kendrick’s ability to balance suspense, character development, and emotional storytelling.
That experience could prove valuable for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which relies heavily on character-driven drama and decades-spanning storytelling.
What Is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo About?
Published in 2017, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel became a global phenomenon through word-of-mouth recommendations, book clubs, and social media.
The story centers on Evelyn Hugo, an aging Hollywood legend whose glamorous public image hides decades of secrets.
As she nears the end of her life, Evelyn selects an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, to tell her story.
Over the course of a series of interviews, Evelyn reveals the truth about her rise to stardom, her complicated personal life, and the seven marriages that defined much of her public identity.
But the novel is far more than a Hollywood romance.
It explores fame, ambition, identity, sacrifice, and the cost of protecting one’s true self in an industry built on appearances. The story also features significant LGBTQ+ representation and remains one of the most celebrated contemporary novels of the last decade.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
Netflix has assembled an experienced group of creatives to bring the novel to the screen.
Key Creative Team
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Director | Anna Kendrick |
| Screenwriter | Liz Tigelaar |
| Script Revisions | Francesca Sloane |
| Executive Producer | Taylor Jenkins Reid |
| Producer | Liza Chasin |
| Producer | Brad Mendelsohn |
| Producer | David Hinojosa |
Liz Tigelaar, known for acclaimed projects including Little Fires Everywhere, wrote the screenplay, while Francesca Sloane later contributed revisions.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is also involved as an executive producer, helping guide the adaptation of her beloved novel.
Have the Cast Members Been Announced?
Not yet.
Despite years of speculation from fans online, Netflix has not revealed who will portray Evelyn Hugo, Monique Grant, or any of the seven husbands.
Casting remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the project.
Given the popularity of the source material, any future casting announcement will likely become one of Netflix’s biggest entertainment news stories of the year.
When Could the Movie Release on Netflix?
Netflix has not announced a release date.
However, reports suggest the project is preparing to begin production, which is an encouraging sign after years of development.
If filming starts in the near future, a release sometime in 2027 appears realistic, although Netflix has yet to confirm a timeline.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been following Netflix’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo adaptation for years, and this feels like the clearest indication yet that the movie is finally moving forward.
Anna Kendrick may not have been the name most fans expected, but her work on Woman of the Hour proved she has a strong directorial voice and a keen understanding of character-focused storytelling.
With a beloved novel, an experienced creative team, and production finally gaining momentum, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is once again shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated future film releases.
Now all eyes are on the casting announcements.
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