Beach Read is becoming a beach movie! The popular romance book written by trending author Emily Henry is officially in the works, and the author has started to share some updates — and possibly some hints on which actors are playing the two romantic leads.
Keep reading for everything we know about the movie.
When Will ‘Beach Read’ Movie Come Out?
Deadline confirmed that an adaptation of Beach Read was in the works in April 2023, and will be distributed by 20th Century Films.
Dollface director Yulin Kuang is set to write and direct the movie, and also recently adapted another Henry novel, People We Meet on Vacation, for 3000 Pictures and Brett Haley attached to direct.
“Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers are all in development to be films,” Henry writes on her official website. “Things tend to move very slowly on this front, and even once they are moving, there are specific guidelines for when you’re able to share that information.”
Are Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri Starring In ‘Beach Reach’?
After both Henry and Kuang shared a 2024 St. Patrick’s Day post of Ayo Edebiri and Paul Mescal posing together, fans immediately began speculating that the two actors would be playing the movie’s main two leads.
“A Beach Read adaptation starring Ayo Edibiri & Paul Mescal would become my whole personality,” one fan wrote on X, while another posted: “ayo edebiri & paul mescal for emily henry’s beach read movie adaptation to be directed by yulin kuang would ACTUALLY save lives (mine).”
It seems Emily is on board with the casting choice as well! “I can’t confirm or deny anything with casting for any movie. I will say that those are two of my favorite ‘Irish’ actors,” she told Variety in March 2024.
When asked if she thought they would be good fit for the film, the author explained, “I do. I think that they would be amazing. I actually saw them being discussed [online] for several different roles — and I definitely have a favorite.” The fan theories might not be more than just a theory after all …
What Is Emily Henry’s ‘Beach Read’ About?
Beach Read follows the love story between January Andrews and Augustus Everett, a romance author and literary fiction writer, respectively, who stay in neighboring beach homes on Lake Michigan. In order to best their battle writers’ block, the two attempt to switch genres.
“I started writing Beach Read really, entirely for fun. There was no intention to try and publish it,” Henry told Today.com in April 2023. “I just wanted to be working on that kind of story.”
Henry was not originally an avid fan of romance books before writing Beach Read, and dived into the romantic genre before getting started on the soon-to-be New York Times bestseller.
“I remember the joy of becoming a romance reader and the discovery of how many amazing books there are, and the pace at which your favorite romance authors tend to work and put out books,” she told the outlet. “There’s just so much to read. You’ll just never run out of fantastic romance novels.”
She added, “I tripped sideways into romance as both a writer and a reader, and I was just delighted to find out that I really love it as both a writer and a reader.”
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