The pipeline from page to screen shows no signs of slowing. Here’s a quick look at the latest adaptation announcements, casting updates and projects in development.
Lynn Painter’s ‘Better Than the Movies’ to be adapted
Netflix announced Friday that it’s adapting Lynn Painter’s young adult romantic-comedy “Better Than the Movies” into a feature. The film will star Beatrice Kitsos as high school senior Liz and David Iacono as Wes in what the streamer announced as a “love letter to romantic comedies.”
“Liz’s obsession with the genre proves very helpful when she schemes with her annoying but cute next-door neighbor to get the attention of her untouchable crush,” a synopsis reads. “‘Better Than the Movies’ pays homage to all the romance tropes—fake relationship, enemies to lovers, boy next door — but turns them on their heads in this new take on what happily ever after looks like.
The film will be directed by Julia Hart, who is also co-writing alongside Jordan Horowitz and Heather Flanders. Painter wrote a sequel to the 2021 book in 2024 titled “Nothing Like the Movies.”
‘Fake Skating’ release date announced
In more Lynn Painter news, the adaptation of her book “Fake Skating” is set to hit theaters July 16, Sony Pictures announced Thursday. The romantic-comedy book follows childhood sweethearts Alec and Dani as they reunite in their hometown. Josh Boone is set to direct the film. No casting has been announced.
Filming wraps on ‘Beach Read’
Filmmaker Yulin Kuang announced Thursday that filming for “Beach Read” starring Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger has wrapped.
“Directing this movie was a literal dream come true,” she wrote in an Instagram post showing behind-the-scenes photos from filming. “I got so, so lucky with this incredible cast and crew, they had my back every step of the way in all kinds of weather.
“We made something truly special together this summer, excited to dive into the edit!”
The movie is an adaptation of the Emily Henry novel of the same name. The novel centers on January (Dynevor), a romance writer, and Gus (Schwarzenegger), a literary fiction author, both struggling with different kinds of loss. The rivals swap genres for the summer while living in neighboring beach houses. The film is set to hit theaters May 7.
Marvel cancels ‘Wonder Man’
Actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II responded to news that “Wonder Man” won’t return for a second season. Marvel renewed the superhero series, starring Abdul-Mateen in the titular role, in March, but reversed that decision Thursday.
“That’s life, right?” the actor wrote in his Instagram post.
“Everything will shake out. I wanted to say thank you to everybody who WATCHED the show, ENJOYED the show, and SHARED that they enjoyed the show in some way or other. The show worked. And that’s my favorite thing about it.”
Abdul-Mateen played Simon Williams, an actor trying to make it big in Hollywood despite a ban on superpowered people working in the industry. Ben Kingsley also starred in the first season of the series.
HBO to adapt ‘Alan Opts Out’
HBO is bringing Courtney Maum’s comedic novel “Alan Opts Out” to the small screen with a half-hour series, Deadline reported Thursday. Maum confirmed the news with a post on Instagram.
“A dream announcement with the dream team of all dream teams,” she wrote.
Bill Lawrence (Rooster) is set to produce as part of an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. Creator Emily Kapnek is also writing the adaptation. “Alan Opts Out” tells the story of an ad executive who, after a bad pitch, ditches his career and consumerist lifestyle to live off the land.
Animated ‘Mad Hatter’ movie to channel ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Amazon MGM Studios and Aniventure plan to bring audiences a new adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll story “Alice in Wonderland.” The film, “Mad Hatter,” will be adapted by Scott Mosier and produced by Adam Nagle, Deadline reported Monday. Aniventure confirmed the news with a post on Instagram.
“Mad news from Wonderland!” the studio announced.
Another Alice-adjacent movie is in the works from the Twisted Childhood Universe. Scott Chambers is set to direct the horror film “Alice & the Mad Hatter,” though no release date has been announced.
‘Walking Dead’ universe to stream on Netflix
AMC and Netflix announced Thursday that Netflix has acquired the streaming rights for “The Walking Dead” and all six of its spinoff series. The deal allows streaming to expand to new countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. AMC will also maintain co-exclusive streaming rights for the zombie horror series. In addition to the primary series, which premiered on AMC in 2010, Netflix will stream spinoffs “Fear the Walking Dead,” “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live,” “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” and “Tales of the Walking Dead.”
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