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Anna Kendrick to Direct Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Film Adaptation
Tessa Bailey is thrilled it’s truly happening this summer.
As the It Happened One Summer author—whose book is being adapted into a film starring Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin—shared, her epic love story centered around Piper Bellinger and Brendan Taggart is coming to life sooner than you may think.
“It starts filming on July 13,” Bailey told E! News in an exclusive interview at Amazon Books’ Literary Lounge event celebrating Amazon’s Best Books of the Year So Far. “And so, it's really happening, which I'm like—it seems surreal that they're like, ‘Here's the dates for filming, and you're welcome to come to set,’ and I'm like, ‘Really?’”
Indeed, seeing the couple—Piper is a Los Angeles influencer exiled to the pacific northwest where she crosses paths with no-nonsense sea captain Brendan—fall for each other in Westport, Washington, will no doubt be the highlight of her season.
“I'm just excited to see what they bring to the characters,” Bailey explained. “I think they're both such talented actors, and they're both really funny. So, I'm really excited to see the spin they put on Piper and Brendan. I think they're going to kill it.”
In fact, Bailey is especially excited to see how Piper’s softer side translates on-screen.
“There’s the moments where Piper is vulnerable with Brendan, I think are the ones I most care about,” Bailey explained. “Because she's never really let her let herself kind of shine through in front of a romantic partner, or maybe even anybody besides her sister.”
“And it's just a hard thing for her to do,” the author—whose story S’more of You is a part of Amazon’s Summer Lovin’ short story collection—added, “to say, ‘I don't know who I am outside of this party image, and I don't know where I belong.’ And then him sort of responding to that—I just like can't wait to see that play out.”
Jeremy Chan Photography/Getty Images
And another potential romance that Bailey—who has delved into every world possible in her books including crab fishing, true crime, golf and more—would be excited to see play out? Well, though it doesn't quite exist yet, she isn't exactly racing away from a new idea.
"I mean, people have been asking for years for a Formula One romance," she noted. "That seems to be really popular right now, and I think Americans are becoming more savvy with the sport itself. It's a lot of drama, it's a lot of history, there's like so many galas where you know, there's opportunities for like clandestine meetings."
"It's just kind of like something that's been sitting in the back of my head," Bailey shared. "Who knows if I'll get a chance to explore it, but I would say Formula One, absolutely."
Until then, keep reading to see what other books are making their way from their pages and onto the big screen...
Back Bay Books
Five-Star Weekend
Based On: Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel
Starring: Jennifer Garner
Premieres: July 9 Peacock
Why We’re Excited: Hilderbrand is the queen of Nantucket beach read. Add in a megastar like Garner and its place in our queue is solidified. The Alias alum stars as Hollis, a food blogger whose life is turned update down by tragedy. As part of her healing journey, she resolves to host a “five-star” weekend with her closest pals—only for it to go awry as the cracks in her friendships deepen and game-changing secrets emerge. Yep, we are firmly seated.
Apple TV+
Lucky
Based On: Marissa Stapley's 2021 book
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Clifton Collins Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Premieres: July 15 on Apple TV
Why We’re Excited: If seeing Anya and Drew leading the cast isn’t enough of a draw—and it should be!—the story itself is pretty thrilling, a young woman returning to the con artist life she was raised in an attempt to secure her future. And with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine producing and a stellar supporting cast, we are already seated.
Getty Images / Handout
Practical Magic 2
Based On: The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing, Dianne Weist, Joey King
Premieres: In theaters September 18, 2026
Why We’re Excited: Another midnight margarita night is finally on the books. Nearly three decades after the original movie, the sequel, based on Hoffman’s 2021 novel, follows Sally (Sandra), Gillian (Nicole), Frances (Stockard) and Jet (Dianne) contend with their family’s curse as it begins to plague the next generations of Owens ladies.
Lili Reinhart/Instagram
The Love Hypothesis
Based On: Ali Hazelwood’s 2021 Novel of the Same
Starring: Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman
Premieres: September 23 on Prime Video
Why We’re Excited: The fake dating romance that sent #BookTok into a spiral is heading to the big screen. And the novel that has roots in fanfiction centered on Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren is starring none other than Rey actress Daisy Ridley’s IRL husband Tom—joined by the Riverdale alum. And if that’s not a reason to be excited by what’s to come—or at least curious—we don’t know what is.
Grand Central Publishing/Hachette
Verity
Based on: Hoover's 2021 book
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett
Premieres: In theaters October 2, 2026
Why We're Excited: For starters, we can look no further than Anne, Dakota and Josh. The book—which follows a struggling writer who is asked to complete a best-selling series after the author's mysterious accident—is already a wild, twisty ride. And with this trio at the center, seeing it brought to life on screen is all the more exciting.
Lionsgate
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Based On: Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel
Starring: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons and Ralph Fiennes.
Premieres: In theaters November 20, 2026
Why We’re Excited: On the same day Collins’ latest trip to Panem was announced, Lionsgate confirmed it would be adapting the much-anticipated story following a young Haymitch Abernathy—Peeta and Katniss’ famously haunted mentor in the 74th Hunger Games—during his winning battle in the 50th Games.
Doubleday
The Husbands
Based On: Holly Gramazio’s 2024 novel
Starring: Juno Temple
Premieres: TBD on Apple TV
Why We’re Excited: Prepare to meet more than one hundred husbands. Indeed, the story follows Lauren, who arrives home to be greeted by her husband Michael—only she has never seen him before in her life. A different husband soon takes his place, and she soon learns a seemingly-endless supply of spouses are coming from her attic. As she navigates this complicated romantic journey, key questions emerge, namely, what does she want from life and will she take the reins to get it?
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Midnight Sun
Based On: Stephanie Meyer’s 2020 novel
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: While fans had to wait more than a decade for Meyer to release the retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen’s POV, viewers will soon see an animated version of the story coming to their screens. And it’s safe to say catching a glimpse of an animated killer’s sparkly skin will be must-see TV.
Berkley
Funny Story
Based On: Emily Henry's 2024 novel
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: Among the many adaptations of Henry's novels coming to the big and small screen is her 2024 best-seller, which gives viewers a look at how Daphne finds herself again after Peter breaks off their engagement to be with his childhood best friend Petra. And of course, Daphne gets an assist from Petra's own ex-boyfriend, Miles.
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