Elle Fanning is continuing her run in book-to-screen roles with three upcoming adaptations in the works—“Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” and “The Nightingale.”

The star, who has been nominated for an Academy Award and several Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, has been working nonstop since age 3 when she played a younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning in “I Am Sam.” 

Fanning next stars in the adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s 2015 novel “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” out Wednesday on Apple TV.  The story follows a young single mother navigating financial instability and internet fame. It also stars Michelle Pfeiffer as her mother, a former Hooters waitress and Nick Offerman as her father, a WWE legend. 

On Nov. 20, Fanning will don the ornate costumes and dramatic vibe of Effie Trinket in the prequel “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.” The role was played by Elizabeth Banks in other “Hunger Games” films. Based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 book, the story follows Haymitch’s time in the Hunger Games. The characters all play younger versions of characters we’ve met in the first “Hunger Games” film, showing how they’ve become who they are. Joseph Zada and Mckenna Grace also star. 

These are not her first adaptations. Fanning has starred in many. The star has moved between genres throughout her career and her roles suggest an interest in projects with strong literary roots.

She will also star alongside her sister, Dakota, in an adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s bestselling 2015 novel “The Nightingale.” Set during World War II, the story centers on two sisters, Isabelle Rossignol (Elle) and Vianne Mauriac (Dakota) in Nazi-occupied France and their fight for survival and resistance. The stars have recently begun to film the movie. It will premiere Feb. 12, 2027.

In 2005, Fanning had a small role as Sweetie Pie Thomas in the film “Because of Winn-Dixie.” The film, about a friendly dog named Winn-Dixie, is based on Kate DiCamillo’s 2000 novel of the same name. It also starred Jeff Daniels, Cecily Tyson and AnnaSophia Robb.

Fanning appeared in the 2008 romantic fantasy film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” as a young version of Cate Blanchett’s character Daisy. Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin, a man who ages in reverse. The film is based on a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton and Julia Ormond also star.

In December 2011, Fanning appeared in the film “We Bought a Zoo” as home-schooled tween Lily. The film is based on Benjamin Mee’s 2008 memoir of the same. Cameron Crowe co-wrote and directed the film which starred Matt Damon as a father who, like the name says, buys a zoo. 

Fanning went on to play Princess Aurora in the 2014 film “Maleficent.” Angelina Jolie starred as the title character in the live-action film centered on the life of the famous Sleeping Beauty villain, an adaptation of Charles Perrault’s 1697 book. She reprised the role in the 2019 sequel “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”

In 2016, she had a supporting role as Loretta in Ben Affleck’s film “Live By Night,” which was adapted from Dennis Lehane’s 2012 novel. Her character wanted to be a Hollywood star but instead fell into drug addiction. 

Fanning starred in 2017’s “The Beguiled,” alongside Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell. The thriller was written and directed by Sofia Coppola and was adapted from the 1966 novel of the same name by Thomas P. Cullinan. Fanning stars as the defiant Alicia, one of the boarding school students who tries to win the affections of Farrell’s fallen Union soldier. 

In 2020, Fanning starred as Violet in “All the Bright Places,” based on Jennifer Niven’s 2015 young adult novel. Her character deals with guilt and depression after her sister died in a car crash she survived. Justice Smith stars as the guy who tries to help her while dealing with his own demons. 

From 2022 to 2023, she starred as Catherine the Great in “The Great.” The satire series was created by Tony McNamara and based on his 2008 play of the same name. Nicholas Hoult also starred in the popular Hulu series. 

The star then played Bob Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie Russo in 2024’s “A Complete Unknown.” Adapted from 2015’s “Dylan Goes Electric!” by Elijah Wald, Timotheé Chalamet stars as Dylan in the film, which garnered several award nominations. 

With “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” and “The Nightingale” generating anticipation, Fanning will continue to remain a familiar face in the book-to-screen space.

About the writer

Inspired by “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” and “The Nightingale,” two books this writer is currently reading, she had the great idea to explore Elle Fanning’s list of adaptations. As she compiled said list and wrote her article, she began to wonder, “Is there such a thing as too many adaptations? Maybe Elle Fanning needs to slow down and take a break!”