Netflix has locked in Anna Kendrick to direct its long-gestating adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, sources confirmed on June 1, 2026. The project, based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2017 blockbuster novel, has cycled through multiple filmmakers over the past several years, but the streamer is now moving forward with Kendrick at the helm.
The news arrives just as Hollywood’s summer season ramps up, with entertainment headlines recently dominated by major franchise trailers and game adaptations like One Piece Odyssey and Avatar: The Way of Water. Kendrick’s appointment shifts some of that attention toward a quieter, character-driven drama that carries its own fiercely devoted following.
Reid’s novel centers on Evelyn Hugo, an aging Hollywood legend who agrees to one final interview with a young journalist named Monique Grant. Over the course of their conversations, Evelyn unpacks the scandals, betrayals, and secrets behind her seven marriages, culminating in the revelation of her true love: fellow actress Celia St. James. The book’s unflinching look at queer identity and the cost of fame has made it a staple of book clubs and LGBTQ+ reading lists since its release nearly a decade ago.
For Kendrick, this marks her second feature directing credit following Woman of the Hour, her 2023 Netflix debut that earned a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and solid critical praise. The true-crime thriller, which Kendrick also starred in, traced the real-life story of a serial killer who appeared on a 1970s dating show. Critics praised her restrained, actor-focused approach, and the film’s strong reception signaled that she could elicit layered performances while managing a tightly controlled visual tone. She’s reuniting with Netflix for this project, continuing a relationship that appears to be working for both parties.
The production has faced notable director turnover. Leslye Headland, creator of The Acolyte, was previously attached to the adaptation around 2023 before exiting for unspecified reasons. Maggie Betts also came aboard and subsequently departed. Those departures fueled concern among fans that the adaptation might remain stuck in development hell, a fate that has befallen other high-profile book-to-screen translations. According to Deadline, the project is now advancing under Kendrick’s direction with producers Liza Chasin of 3Dot Productions, Brad Mendelsohn, and David Hinojosa steering development. Chasin’s producing credits include prestige dramas that balance commercial appeal with critical credibility, suggesting Netflix is treating this as a priority awards-season contender rather than a straightforward romance.
Casting remains the next pressing question. The role of Evelyn Hugo demands an actor capable of spanning decades, from a ruthless 1950s ingenue climbing the studio-system ladder to a reclusive octogenarian looking back on a life of calculated sacrifices. The part of Celia St. James requires equally formidable screen presence. No announcements have surfaced yet, though speculation began almost immediately after Variety and The Hollywood Reporter broke the story.
Fans didn’t wait for casting news to celebrate. Social media erupted within hours of the announcement, with readers and LGBTQ+ viewers expressing relief that the adaptation was finally gaining momentum. One viral post captured the general sentiment:
Others noted the timing, with users calling the news a perfect start to Pride Month given the novel’s central queer romance. That enthusiasm underscores how fiercely readers have protected this story through years of development limbo. The book’s fans have watched as Reid’s other novels reached screens faster; the musical drama Daisy Jones & The Six became a Prime Video limited series in 2023, while Malibu Rising remains in development elsewhere. That uneven track record left Evelyn Hugo’s supporters anxious about further false starts.
Kendrick now faces the task of honoring a narrative that shifts between Old Hollywood glamour and intimate personal tragedy. The novel’s structure, which jumps across eras and perspectives, presents clear directorial challenges, but her handling of Woman of the Hour‘s non-linear, character-focused storytelling suggests she is prepared for the workload. She will need to balance the opulence of studio-era Los Angeles with the quiet devastation of a woman who built an empire on secrets.
Netflix has not set a production start date or release window, though the rapid succession of reports from major trades indicates the streamer wants the project visible. After years of stops and starts, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo finally appears ready for its close-up.
