Major Setback for Netflix’s Highly Anticipated Adaptation of Popular Romance Novel

The highly awaited film adaptation of a celebrated novel has encountered a significant hurdle ahead of its release. As book adaptations continue to capture Hollywood’s imagination, the landscape has seen numerous exciting projects unfold recently. Among them, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, bolstered by a wave of BookTok popularity, performed exceptionally well at the box office, amassing $349.7 million globally during the summer of 2024. This success has led to swift developments in adapting additional works by the renowned romance author.

In the realm of streaming, Netflix has been in the spotlight, announcing a series of upcoming projects, including adaptations of the romantasy favorite Quicksilver and the intriguing dark romance Twisted Love. Meanwhile, Paramount’s long-gestating Children of Blood and Bone film, which traces its origins back to Fox 2000 in 2017, has recently gained momentum with a star-studded cast that includes Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Idris Elba. Unfortunately, not all projects are progressing as planned.

Challenges for The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo

Leslye Headland Stepped In, Now Steps Out

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on Netflix

Netflix’s adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which has been under development since 2022, faces a notable setback with the departure of its director. The story, which portrays the glamorous life of its titular character, Evelyn, illustrates that there is much more to her narrative than merely her cinematic allure and multiple marriages. Originally published in 2017, the novel’s rise in popularity has been largely attributed to the influence of BookTok, creating a passionate following among readers.

Leslye Headland, known for her work on The Acolyte, was initially brought on to direct the project in 2023. However, in a recent interview with Variety, she announced her exit from the film. While acknowledging her deep appreciation for the source material, Headland shared her sentiments regarding her departure:

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.

Analyzing Headland’s Departure from Evelyn Hugo

A Disappointment with Possible Upside

Osha (Amandla Stenberg) and Qimir (Manny Jacinto) looking determined in The Acolyte season 1 episode 8

As someone deeply invested in bringing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to the big screen, Headland’s exit is disheartening. The timing could not be more ripe for a cinematic adaptation of this sweeping romance set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s golden age. However, the project has faced hurdles in moving forward; prior to the film adaptation, a television version was in the works at Freeform.

Yet, there could be a silver lining to this development. Given Headland’s active involvement with other projects, such as The Acolyte and her recent Broadway play, Cult of Love, her departure may actually open doors for new possibilities. With Headland stepping aside, Netflix will have the opportunity to seek another director to advance the project. While her talent and vision will be missed, there remains hope for a successful adaptation of Evelyn Hugo.

For more updates, visit Variety.

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