Anna Kendrick has officially signed on to direct Netflix's highly anticipated adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, ending the project's years-long search for a director. The move marks a reunion between Kendrick and the streamer following the success of her directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, a serial-k***** dating game thriller that Netflix snapped up for an eight-figure deal at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

The appointment hands Kendrick the keys to one of the most coveted literary adaptations currently in development, a project that has inspired years of fan casting, endless online speculation, and mounting expectations from readers eager to see Taylor Jenkins Reid's Hollywood epic finally make its way to the screen.

The beloved novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid has sold over 24 million copies worldwide across 43 languages, cementing its place as a global phenomenon. Before the Sorting Hat finally declared Anna Kendrick as the director, as revealed exclusively by Deadline, the awaited adaptation was linked to Maggie Betts at one point and Leslye Headland at another, both of which are no more associated with the project.

Given Kendrick's experience with not just directing but also acting in tales about twisted Thumbelina's, the shoe could not have fit better.

The screenplay has undergone careful development, with Liz Tigelaar writing the first draft and Francesca Sloane continuing revisions. Reid remains closely involved as an executive producer, ensuring the adaptation stays true to the novel’s emotional core. 

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Netflix secured the rights in 2022 and has remained committed to delivering a version that meets fan expectations. However, this is not on the only major novel that Netflix has set its eyes on. 

Netflix is set to release The Whisper Man, based on Alex North’s bestselling novel, continuing its partnership with the Russo brothers’ AGBO production company. The psychological thriller features a chilling premise built around a haunting rhyme that signals danger for children. The film brings together an acclaimed cast led by Robert De Niro, alongside Michelle Monaghan and Adam Scott.

The story follows a widowed crime writer whose young son is abducted, forcing him into a desperate search for answers. He turns to his estranged father, a retired detective who once captured a notorious serial k***** tied to similar crimes. As new disappearances emerge, the investigation reveals unsettling possibilities about whether the threat was ever truly contained.

Directed by James Ashcroft and written by Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer, the film blends emotional storytelling with suspense-driven narrative stakes. Supporting performances from Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, and Acston Luca Porto add depth to the unfolding mystery.  Set for release on August 28, The Whisper Man aims to translate the novel’s atmosphere of dread into a cinematic experience. 

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What do you think about Anna Kendrick directing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Netflix’s push toward bestselling adaptations? Let us know in the comments.