Here’s everything we know about this sapphic adaptation
BY NIC CROSARA
If you are an avid reader of LGBTQI fiction, there is a high chance that you have at least seen the iconic green dress that adorns the cover of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fabulous novel The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo (TSHOEH). Since its release in 2017, the book has become a favourite for readers both inside and outside the queer community.
The novel follows Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood movie star ready to set the record straight about her glamorous, sensational and scandalous life. Readers follow Evelyn from making her way to LA in the 1950s to leaving the industry in the 80s and of course, the seven husbands she wed along the way.
TSHOEH readers have been praying for an adaptation and last month we all celebrated the news that Netflix will be adapting this wonderful, amazing and heartbreaking tale into a feature film. This exciting announcement followed the news that Taylor Jenkins Reid’s other novels Daisy Jones & The Six and Malibu Rising are both being adapted to the screen as well.
Liz Tigelaar, the creator behind the adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere, is set to adapt the novel into a screenplay. If her previous work is anything to go by, TSHOEH is in safe hands.
Cast details are yet to be announced, but it seems like there will be two actors assigned to portray Evelyn. One for the present and one for the past. Of course, the novel has a dedicated fanbase, so what are they saying about the upcoming adaptation?
It’s important to note that in the book, race is an important aspect of the story. Though she is Cuban, Evelyn’s ability to “pass as white” is a core part of her journey into Hollywood. Monique, the reporter she trusts with the mighty task of telling her story, is biracial.
DO. NOT. CAST. EVELYN. HUGO. AS. A. WHITE. WOMAN.
— fiona 12 30 (@romanoffcunt) March 24, 2022
Popular dream castings by fans include the likes of Rita Moreno (West Side Story) as Evelyn in the present, Ana de Armas (Knives Out) as Evelyn from the past, Jessica Chastain (The Martian) and Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) are both favourites for Celia St. James, Nathalie Emmanuel (Game Of Thrones) as Monique and Richard Madden (Game Of Thrones), Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies) and a range of other stars as some of Evelyn’s husbands.
dear netflix,
— bella | Harry’s house (@bellapzreis) March 28, 2022
after I saw this photo I thought “OMG, CELIA AND HARRY”, please I’m begging you, make this happen!
the seven husband of evelyn hugo would be THE movie. pic.twitter.com/XQjexUs4pS
Whilst the majority of the response from fans is pure excitement, we have been thinking about this adaptation long before it was announced and there are some who envisioned Evelyn’s story being told through a series rather than a feature film.
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo should be done as a limited series rather than a film and have an entire hour episode dedicated to each husband. they’re going to miss out so much with just a 2 hour film
— rue (@iLuvFratrry) March 25, 2022
Me writing about how The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo needs to be an 8 episode series and not a movie pic.twitter.com/s79D96Ww0B
— Kit 🐸 (@lovelyallium) March 24, 2022
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo being made into a movie instead of a limited series is my villain origin story
— ash🍒 (@ashlaray) April 2, 2022
Suffice to say, expectations are at an all time high. Whilst I completely understand the desire for this story to be told through multiple episodes, perhaps it is fitting that this movie star’s life story is told through the form of film. I guess we’ll have to wait to see what the team gets up to.
There is no confirmed release date as of yet. With the news of the adaptation only recently coming out, it’s safe to assume we’ve still got quite the wait ahead of us. For now, I’ll be re-reading one of my favourite books of all time for the millionth time.
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