Books
Get ready, world. Big Little Lies star Reese Witherspoon has at least 12 more book to screen adaptations coming our way... and she doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Since Reese first started sharing photos of the books she was reading on her Instagram account, her fans have been obsessed. Sharing her thoughts on books like J. Courtney Sullivan's The Engagements, Jojo Moyes' Me Before You and Neil Gaiman's The Ocean At The End of The Lane became a vital part of the actress's online presence just as she was also dipping her toe into the Hollywood producing pool. The story goes that Witherspoon's agent set her up with the already-seasoned producer Bruna Papandrea, and they started the company Pacific Standard with one goal in mind: To feature dynamic women. And feature dynamic women they have.
It all started with the big screen adaption of Cheryl Strayed's memoir, Wild. The film garnered both Witherspoon and co-star Laura Dern Oscar noms that season. The follow-up was the film version of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, which grossed over $370 million and received a Best Actress Oscar nom for Rosamund Pike's performance. Now, with the fan obsession and massive success of HBO's take on Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, it seems that the sky is the limit for Witherspoon's #RWBookClub. Want to learn more about the twelve currently confirmed book to screen adaptations Witherspoon has in the works? We've got all the details below.
1
'A Wrinkle In Time' by Madeleine L'Engle
While she isn't producing the movie adaptation of this classic, Reese Witherspoon was cast as Mrs. Whatsit in the Disney adaptation of A Wrinkle In Time, directed by Ava DuVernay. The story follows Meg Murry, her little brother Charles, and her friend Calvin as they time travel to a strange new dimension to rescue their father. Chris Pine, Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey are all also confirmed to be starring in the film, which is expected to hit theaters in 2018.
2
'Truly Madly Guilty' by Liane Moriarty
Witherspoon has acquired the rights for another of Liana Moriarty's novel, Truly Madly Guilty, along with her Big Little Lies co-star Nicole Kidman. The novel follows six adults and their families at a simple weekend barbecue that changes everything. Moriarty's again tackles marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm. No word yet on whether Witherspoon and Kidman will star.
3
'Luckiest Girl Alive' by Jessica Knoll
Another adaptation set to make its way to movie screens with Witherspoon producing is Luckiest Girl Alive. Jessica Knoll's debut novel follows Ani FaNelli, a 28-year-old New Yorker with a seemingly perfect life... that is, until dark trauma from her past starts to resurface. The novel explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.
4
'All Is Not Forgotten' by Wendy Walker
Witherspoon and team are currently developing a film adaptation of Wendy Walker's All Is Not Forgotten. The novel follows Jenny Kramer after she is attacked at a local party in her picture perfect Connecticut town. In the hours immediately after, she is given a controversial drug to medically erase her memory of the violent assault. The fault lines within this close-knit community emerge from the shadows where they have been hidden for years, and the relentless quest to find the monster who invaded their town - or perhaps lives among them - drive this psychological thriller.
5
'Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow' by Garth Callaghan
Napkin Notes is also being worked on for a big screen adaptation. The memoir details how he began writing short inspirational notes on napkins to put in his daughter Emma’s lunchbox daily to connect with his daughter. The practice took on far more significance after Callaghan was diagnosed first with kidney cancer, shortly after Emma turned 12, and subsequently received four other cancer diagnoses. Determined to make the time he has left meaningful, he has compiled years’ worth of notes to get his daughter through her high school graduation.
6
'Opening Belle' by Maureen Sherry
Witherspoon's next project? Starring in and adapting Opening Belle for the big screen. Set in 2008, the novel follows Isabelle, a self-made, thirty-something Wall Street star who appears to have it all. But in reality, her work environment resembles a 1980s frat party, her husband feels employment is beneath him, and the bulk of childcare and home care still falls in Belle’s already full lap. When Henry, the former college fiancé she never quite got over becomes her largest client, Belle gets to see the life she might have had with him. While Henry campaigns to win Belle back, the women in her office recruit Belle in taking action to improve their working conditions. All along, Belle can sense the financial markets heading toward their soon-to-be historic crash.
7
'Ashley's War: The Untold Story Of A Team Of Women Soldiers On The Special Ops Battlefield' by Tzemach Lemmon
Another film Witherspoon has in the works is Ashley's War, a nonfiction book that takes an inside look at the poignant and gripping story of a groundbreaking team of female American warriors who served alongside Special Operations soldiers on the battlefield in Afghanistan — including Ashley White, a beloved soldier who died serving her country’s cause.
8
'The Thing About Jellyfish' by Ali Benjamin
Witherspoon has also acquired screen right for celebrated middle grade novel, The Thing About Jellyfish. After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting-things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory, even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.
9
'Second Life' by S.J. Watson
Second Life is also in the works for a film adaptation. The psychological thriller centers on a woman who creates an online persona to find the truth behind her sister’s violent murder — and starts to dangerously lose herself in the lies she creates.
10
'In A Dark, Dark Wood' by Ruth Ware
Another book poised to hit theaters is Ruth Ware's In A Dark, Dark Wood. This one follows Nora, who hasn't seen Clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back. Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen do arrives. Is this a chance for Nora to finally put her past behind her? But something goes wrong. Very wrong. And some things can’t stay secret for ever.
11
'Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice On Life And Love From Dear Sugar' by Cheryl Strayed
Re-teaming with Chery Strayed and Laura Dern, Witherspoon is adapting Tiny Beautiful Things for an HBO series. The drama is based on the book of the same name, a collection of Strayed's moving essays on life, romance, relationships, career and more, compiled from her celebrated Dear Sugar advice column.
12
'Supreme Courtship' by Christopher Buckley
Witherspoon's company is also said to have acquired the television rights for Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley. The book satirizes Washington institutions (which we could all use these days, right?) After one nominee is rejected for insufficiently appreciating To Kill A Mockingbird, the President chooses someone so beloved by voters that the Senate won't have the guts to reject her: Judge Pepper Cartwright, the star of the nation's most popular reality show, Courtroom Six. Will Pepper, a straight-talking Texan, survive a confirmation battle in the Senate? Will becoming one of the most powerful women in the world ruin her love life? And even if she can make it to the Supreme Court, how will she get along with her eight highly skeptical colleagues.? Soon, Pepper finds herself in the middle of a constitutional crisis, a presidential reelection campaign that the president is determined to lose, and oral arguments of a romantic nature.
