The Story to Screen Report - July 2nd

Anne Hathaway has Sarah J. Maas fans talking after she was spotted carrying what appears to be a copy of 'House of Flame and Shadow' while out in New York. Sarah J. Maas previously told Alex Cooper that no adaptations were in the works, but this has everyone wondering if Anne is simply reading the book or doing a little research for a possible future project. 

It's all rumours and pure speculation for now, but how amazing would it be to finally see the Sarah J. Maas universe on the big screen?

The wait is finally over. Warner Bros. has released the first full trailer for 'Practical Magic 2', reuniting Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens almost 30 years after the original film. 

Based on Alice Hoffman's 'The Book of Magic', the sequel follows the Owens family as they attempt to break the generations-old curse once and for all, with Joey King and Maisie Williams joining the magical family alongside returning favourites. If the trailer is anything to go by, we're in for plenty of sisterhood, spells and all the cosy autumn vibes when it arrives in cinemas this September.

Ali Hazelwood fans have another reason to celebrate. Amazon MGM is officially developing a film adaptation of 'Love, Theoretically', with 'The Idea of You' writers Sarah Haskins and Ayesha Carr attached to adapt the bestselling romance. 

The announcement comes just as excitement builds for 'The Love Hypothesis', which arrives on Prime Video later this year. It looks like Hollywood isn't slowing down when it comes to bringing Ali Hazelwood's science-filled love stories to the screen.

The first trailer for the new adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' has finally arrived, giving us our first proper look at Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood.

 Directed by Georgia Oakley, the film also stars Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne Dashwood, alongside George MacKay, Caitríona Balfe, Fiona Shaw and Frank Dillane. Based on Austen's beloved 1811 novel, the story follows two sisters navigating love, heartbreak and family expectations after their father's death. With stunning period costumes and a star-studded cast, this is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated literary adaptations of the year.

Lynn Painter has officially announced an open casting call for Netflix's adaptation of her bestselling romance 'Better Than the Movies'. Anyone can apply for the lead roles of Liz and Wes, with no previous acting experience required. 

Filming is set to take place in Chicago from mid August through to October, and applications close on 15 July. Fans are already buzzing with excitement as the beloved BookTok romance takes another big step towards the screen.

Mystic Falls fans, this one's for you. Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley are officially reuniting for Hulu's adaptation of Aggie Blum Thompson's thriller 'You Deserve to Know'. 

The former 'The Vampire Diaries' co-stars won't be battling vampires this time, instead starring as neighbours caught on opposite sides of a murder investigation after a close-knit group's secrets begin to unravel. Even better, both stars are also executive producing the series, making this long-awaited reunion even more exciting.

If you couldn't get enough of Mary Bennet, there's good news. Following the huge success of 'The Other Bennet Sister', the Jane Austen inspired series has officially been renewed for a three-part Christmas special. 

The new episodes will go beyond Janice Hadlow's novel with brand new storylines, following Mary and the beloved characters after the season one finale. With filming already underway, this is one festive return period drama fans won't want to miss.

A first look at the upcoming movie 'The Last Sunrise' is here! Based on the novel by Anna Todd, the author behind the hugely popular 'After' series, Prime Video has also confirmed the romance adaptation will premiere on 26 August. 

Starring Maia Reficco, Fernando Lindez and Eva Longoria, the film follows a college student who finds unexpected love during a summer in Mallorca while navigating chronic illness and long-held family secrets. This is one to add to your watchlist if you love emotional romance stories.

The romance isn't over yet! Prime Video has officially renewed 'Every Year After' for a second season, less than a month after the series premiered. The next chapter will adapt Carley Fortune's bestselling sequel, 'One Golden Summer', with Charlie Florek stepping into the spotlight as the new romantic lead while familiar favourites from season one return to Barry's Bay. 

With more lakeside romance, emotional twists and fan favourite characters on the way, it looks like we'll be heading back to Barry's Bay sooner than we expected.

Another bestselling romantasy series is heading for our screens. Lauren Palphreyman's viral BookTok hit 'The Wolf King' is officially being developed as a TV series, with 'Vida' creator Tanya Saracho attached as showrunner and executive producer. 

The network has secured the rights to all three books in the series, giving the adaptation plenty of source material to work with if it moves ahead. Packed with enemies-to-lovers romance, dangerous secrets and fantasy intrigue, this is one we're definitely hoping makes it all the way to production.

The world of Chloe Walsh's 'Boys of Tommen' just keeps getting bigger. Prime Video has announced eight more cast members for the highly anticipated adaptation, including John Hewson, the son of U2 frontman Bono, who will play fan favourite Gerard "Gibsie" Gibson. 

With Claire, Lizzie, Hughie and several other key characters now cast, the series is continuing to bring the beloved BookTok phenomenon to life, and excitement is only growing ahead of production.

BookTok's influence is bigger than ever, with new research from Ampere Analysis showing that romance novels are reshaping what streaming platforms are making. 

More than 80% of new romance commissions this year are scripted series, with adaptations like 'Bridgerton' and 'Off Campus' leading the way. Even more impressive, around 40% of all new romance commissions are now based on books, proving that publishers and readers are helping decide what ends up on our screens next.

It's been a while since we heard anything about Netflix's adaptation of Carley Fortune's 'Meet Me at the Lake', but there's finally an exciting update. 

Carley has confirmed the film is still in development, with a director now attached (although no name has been shared officially yet) and the script currently being revised. The adaptation is being produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Productions, and Fortune says she feels the story is in "very good hands".

The Monterey Five are officially making a comeback. Reese Witherspoon has confirmed that 'Big Little Lies' season three is finally "in process". Speaking on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', she revealed she's reunited with Nicole Kidman and author Liane Moriarty to bring the next chapter to life. 

The new season will be based on Moriarty's upcoming sequel novel, 'Big Little Truths', which revisits the lives of Madeline, Celeste, Jane and the rest of the Monterey crew years after the events of the hit HBO series. While there's still no release date, it finally feels like one of the most requested book-to-screen returns is becoming a reality.

Another graphic novel is making the jump to the screen. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is set to executive produce a TV adaptation of Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf's horror comic 'Bone Parish'. 

Set in New Orleans, the story follows a powerful crime family who create a deadly new drug made from the ashes of the dead, sparking a brutal battle for control as users begin experiencing terrifying visions. With 50 Cent behind hits like the 'Power' universe, this dark supernatural thriller is already shaping up to be one to watch.

Max Brallier's bestselling children's series 'The Last Kids on Earth' is officially heading back to the screen, this time as a live-action series. Disney has handed the project a pilot order, with 'The Vampire Diaries' writers Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux leading the adaptation and director Kevin Tancharoen attached to helm the pilot.

 Following orphan Jack Sullivan and his friends as they battle monsters and zombies after the apocalypse, the hugely popular books previously inspired a hit animated Netflix series. Now, fans could soon be seeing the adventure brought to life in a whole new way.

One of the world's most beloved children's books is heading to the big screen. Marcus Pfister's classic 'The Rainbow Fish' is being adapted into an animated feature film by Studiocanal, with award-winning filmmaker Florian Moch writing and directing. 

The story of the shimmering little fish who learns the importance of kindness and sharing has captivated families for more than 30 years, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. A whole new generation of children will soon get to experience the underwater classic on the big screen.

And that’s a wrap on this week’s Story to Screen Report! We’ll be back soon with more casting news, trailers, adaptation announcements, and all the latest book-to-screen news 🍿📚