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Anne Hathaway to Star in Harry Styles Fan Fiction Film
The Force is strong in Ali Hazelwood's art.
After all, her best-selling romance novel The Love Hypothesis—which is being adapted into a film starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman—originally came from a galaxy far, far away.
That's right, Hazelwood, a longtime fan of Star Wars, first published the fanfiction story that would become the TikTok sensation in 2018. Inspired by the 2015 film The Force Awakens, the original iteration, Head Over Feet, reimagined Princess Leia and Han Solo's son Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Jedi Rey (Daisy Ridley) in an academic setting.
"I was really, really into writing fanfiction," Hazelwood told Collider in 2021. "Then what happened is that I started slowly thinking about trying to write something original, just to challenge myself and to do something different."
It turns out, her now-agent Thao Le had read some of her work on the fanfiction website Archive of Our Own (AO3), and reached out believing her stories had the potential to be a hit.
"That's how I took the fanfiction of mine that I thought was the most reworkable," Hazelwood recalled of their first conversation, "and I sent it to her and then I signed with her."
After "approximately 70 billion more revisions," her fanfiction was transformed into The Love Hypothesis, with Kylo becoming Professor Adam Carlsen and Rey turning into PhD student Olive Smith.
To legally bring her story to life, Hazelwood—like other fanfiction writers who went mainstream—had to remove any details that tied to the original intellectual property.
Lucasfilm/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock/Berkley Books/Penguin Publishing Group
But Hazelwood is far from the first writer whose fanfiction became a sensation. After all, E.L. James' best-selling Fifty Shades of Grey books were based on Stephanie Meyer's Twilight saga.
"Just after Christmas, I sat down and read the books, and I escaped for five days," James told the Chicago Tribune in 2012. "I just loved them. It's just such a fabulous love story. I read them and reread them and reread them."
Two weeks after sinking her teeth into the series and the 2008 film, James went on to write Master of the Universe, which saw Edward Cullen and Bella Swan's story refashioned in a big corporate setting. And like the series on which it was originally inspired by the Fifty Shades trilogy was adapted into its own successful film series starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Vintage Books Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group/Penguin Random House
And while some writers found their inspiration in fiction, other writers found their muse onstage. For Anna Todd, it was One Direction that ultimately changed the story of her life. As a Directioner, she spent a lot of time reading fan-written stories about Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson online.
"I was reading fan fiction on Wattpad, but they were taking a little bit to update the stories, so I started writing my own stories to entertain myself," she told E! News in 2014. "I didn't think anyone would read it."
GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images/Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster
That story, After, became such a hit that it went on to become a five-film franchise starring Hero Fiennes-Tiffin as a character inspired by the "Watermelon Sugar" singer. The story follows the complicated love story of bad boy Hardin and Tessa.
Despite the stigma around fanfiction, especially when it's traditionally published, Todd sees the value it brings to the art.
"Just as a reader, there's something so special about the passion you can feel when you're reading someone's fanfic because it's not a contracted thing," she explained to Swooon in October 2024. "They're doing it purely out of love. Some of the best stuff I've ever read came from fanfic."
Now, for more books that are turning into movies and TV shows, keep reading.
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3
Based On: Jenny Han's 2011 book We’ll Always Have Summer
Starring: Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, and Rain Spencer
Premieres: July 16 on Prime Video
Why We’re Excited: After spending Summer 2024 away from Cousins, viewers are clamoring for another trip to check in on the ever-evolving love triangle between Belly Conklin and brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. While Team Jeremiah is currently feeling the love, the 11-episode third installment may just reveal which Fisher brother is Belly’s end game.
Chris Baker/Netflix
My Oxford Year
Based on: Julia Whelan’s 2018 book
Starring: Sofia Carson, Corey Mylchreest, Dougray Scott, Catherine McCormack, Harry Trevaldwyn, Esmé Kingdom, Nikhil Parmar and Poppy Gilbert.
Premieres: On Netflix Aug. 1
Why We’re Excited: Who doesn’t love a sweeping love story set at one of Britain’s most prolific institutions? In this case, it’s Carson’s Anna, an American who arrives at Oxford to fulfill a lifelong dream only to quickly meet local Jamie (Mylchreest), with whom she embarks on a life-changing romance.
Pamela Dorman Books/Penguin Random House
The Thursday Murder Club
Based On: Richard Osman's 2020 novel
Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Naomi Ackie and Jonathan Pryce
Premieres: August 28 on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: The books themselves, following four retirees who have an eye for solving crimes, are simply delightful. Add this cast into the mix and we’re in for a cozy mystery for the ages.
Apple TV+
Slow Horses Season 5
Based On: London Rules, book five of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series
Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Ruth Bradley, James Callis, Tom Brooke, and Jonathan Pryce.
Premieres: September 24 on Apple TV+
Why We’re Excited: Once again, Jackson Lamb and his ragtag crew of MI-5 misfits out of Slough House are on the case as they’re assigned to protect the prime minister from a series of threats while juggling a threat to one of the team. But as this is the Slow Horses we’re talking about, prepare for many blunders, Lamb to consume a series of disgusting snacks and hopefully few casualties.
Montlake
Regretting You
Based On: Colleen Hoover’s 2019 Book
Starring: Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, Mason Thames, Willa Fitzgerald, Scott Eastwood and Clancy Brown.
Premieres: In theaters Oct. 24
Why We’re Excited: Hoover has already taken BookTok by storm and now her work is continuing to make a splash on the screen. The romantic drama follows Morgan and Clara, whose already-fraught dynamic is put to the test after a shocking event leaves them picking up the pieces of their broken family.
Signet Books
The Running Man
Based On: Stephen King’s 1982 novel (writing as Richard Bachman)
Starring: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Katy O'Brian, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra and William H. Macy
Premieres: In theaters Nov. 21
Why We’re Excited: Let the season of Glen Powell continue. The Hit Man star takes on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role in the remake, which follows a man’s quest to survive a game show that sees people chased around the world by murderous “Hunters” for money. Making this all the more sinister? The film, like its release date, is set in a rapidly approaching 2025. We’re absolutely on board for this one—although a bit terrified, tbh.
Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Wicked: For Good
Based On: The Broadway play of the same name and Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, and Keala Settle
Premieres: Nov. 21
Why We’re Excited: Look no further than the cast list, for starters. Add in that it’s the iconic Broadway musical—based, of course, off the Wizard Of Oz prequel tome—was split into two rousing parts and we are booked and busy for the next two Thanksgiving weekends.
ristan Fewings/Getty Images; Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
The Woman in Cabin 10
Based On: Ruth Ware’s 2016 novel of the same name
Starring: Keira Knightley, Guy Pierce, Hannah Waddingham, Daniel Ings, Kaya Scodelario, David Adala and Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Premieres: October 10 on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: Being trapped on a cruise is already a nightmare for many but imagine witnessing someone get tossed overboard—only to not be taken seriously when trying to raise the alarm. That and a whole lot of danger is what Knightley is facing in the Netflix adaptation of one of Ware’s earlier thrillers.
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images;
Frankenstein
Based On: Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 gothic horror
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz
Premieres: November 2025 on Netflix
Why we’re excited: Knowing Isaac is starring as Victor Frankenstein and Elordi will play the monster himself is enough to have us seated already. Still, while there have been countless works based on the iconic novel, Guillermo Del Toro—whose vision will come to life at Netflix after nearly two decades—has proven time and time again that when it comes to gothic horror, nobody does it better.
Knopf/Doubleday
Hamnet
Based on: Maggie O’Farrell 2020 Novel
Starring: Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Joe Alwyn and Emily Watson.
Premieres: In theaters December 12
Why We’re Excited: A fictional account of the tragic death of William Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son in the mid-16th century, this book flew off shelves with good reason: it’s utterly engrossing. And with an all-star cast being directed by bold name Chloé Zhao—who co-wrote with O’Farrell—this film will be a devastating can’t miss.
Hachette Books
The Housemaid
Based On: Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar and Michele Marrone
Premieres: December 25
Why We’re Excited: The cast alone is enough to have us seated for the adaptation, which follows a maid to a wealthy family with some very sinister secrets bubbling under the surface. But Paul Feig, who is no stranger to a twisty story with A Simple Favor—and its sequel—is at the helm so it’s safe to say we’re in for quite a ride.
Montlake
Reminders of Him
Based On: Hoover’s 2022 novel
Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Lainey Wilson and Nicholas Duvernay.
Premieres: February 13, 2026
Why We’re Excited: After five years, Kenna returns to her hometown looking to reunite with her daughter. Instead, she finds solace in a local bar owner who remains one of the few who is willing to give her another chance. While the next few years see several of the best-selling novelist’s books hitting the screen, she’s a big part of bringing this book to life as she co-wrote the script with Lauren Levine.
Berkley
People We Meet on Vacation
Based On: Emily Henry's 2021 novel
Starring: Tom Blyth, Emily Bader, Lucian Laviscount, Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage and Sarah Catherine Hook
Premieres: January 9, 2026 on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: Henry has already taken women’s literature by storm in recent years, so it was only a matter of time before her novels got the big screen treatment. And after major turns in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and My Lady Jane, respectively, Blyth and Bader have proven they may just be the perfect Alex and Poppy.
Mike Marsland/WireImage; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Gotham Film & Media Institute
Wuthering Heights
Based on: Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Starring: Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie
Why We’re Excited: Cue the Kate Bush classic, we’re heading back to the moors. Filmmaker Emerald Fennell is reteaming with her Saltburn collaborators—Elordi starred and Robbie produced—for a take on Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff that we’ve surely never seen before.
Ballantine Books
Project Hail Mary
Based On: Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller and Milana Vayntrub
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Why We’re Excited: Sure, Gosling’s been to space as the first man, but his latest mission takes him out of this galaxy as he wakes up from a coma as the sole survivor in an expedition to the Tau Ceti solar system—a cool 12 light-years away from Earth. Things only get worse now that he’s solo and must continue his mission to reverse solar dimming and save humanity from extinction. NBD!
Grand Central Publishing/Hachette
Verity
Based on: Hoover's 2021 book
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett
Premieres: May 15, 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: 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.
Gavin Bond/Netflix
Bridgerton Season 4
Based On: Julia Quinn's 2001 Bridgerton novel An Offer From A Gentleman
Starring: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Jonathan Bailey, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei.
Release Date: TBD 2026 on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: After three seasons trying to cement a place in his family and discovering himself, fan-favorite Benedict Bridgerton at last finds love in the upcoming installment. And newcomer Ha is joining the Netflix hit’s ever-growing ensemble as his love interest Sophie Baek.
William Morrow
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Based on: Rufi Thorpe’s 2024 novel
Starring: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman
Premieres: TBD 2026 on Apple TV+
Why we’re Excited: Is it really a limited series if it doesn’t have Kidman popping up in it? Thorpe’s book—following the daughter of a former Hooters waitress and a onetime pro-wrestler who turns to OnlyFans after becoming a single mom at 20—is already excellent on its own. But this casting has certainly placed this eight-episode series at the top of the must-watch list.
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?
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Kay Scarpetta
Based On: Patricia Cornwell's mega-popular series of the same name that has 26 books in total
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana DeBose, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker and Jake Cannavale
Premieres: TBD on Amazon Prime Video
Why We're Excited: If it's based on a book and Kidman stars in it, we will binge the s--t out of it. (See: Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and the fact that this is her second appearance on this list.) Add in that the Oscar winners will be playing crime-fighting sisters and it's already become our favorite new show of the year.
Back Bay Books
Five-Star Weekend
Based On: Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel
Starring: Jennifer Garner
Premieres: TBD on 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.
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.
Apple TV+
Lucky
Based On: Marissa Stapley's 2021 book
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Premieres: TBD 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.
Flatiron Books
His & Hers
Based on: Alice Feeney’s 2020 Novel
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Crystal Fox, Sunita Mani, and Rebecca Rittenhouse
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: A twisty thriller that brings a recluse back to their hometown is always an immediate yes, and in this limited series, it’s Thompson’s Anna whose return following a murder captivates a local detective (new Emmy winner Bernthal) who is also investigating the crime.
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