Lionsgate has prevailed in a seven-studio bidding war for the acclaimed breakthrough book “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. Screen legend Jane Fonda, the two-time Oscar winner and seven-time Oscar nominee, is attached to star and produce along with Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, who most recently produced Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid”—another successful book-to-film adaptation—which has taken in nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. The companies also jointly produced the Netflix streaming hit “War Machine” directed by Patrick Hughes and starring Alan Ritchson, which has been the #1 film on the platform for two weeks. Screenwriter Cat Vasko will adapt the screenplay and executive produce. Virginia Evans will also executive produce.
Chelsea Kujawa and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee the project for Lionsgate. Carly Kleinbart Elter and Aydan Cohen will oversee for Hidden Pictures. Dan Freedman negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio.
Virginia Evans’ breakout debut “The Correspondent”—which has spent 17 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list—centers on the unforgettable Sybil Van Antwerp, a sharp-witted, fiercely opinionated, retired lawyer who has long used letters to impose order on a complicated world—writing to friends, family, literary icons, and one elusive recipient whose message she has never sent. But when an unexpected letter from her past resurfaces, Sybil is forced to confront a long-buried chapter of grief, regret, and unresolved guilt. The book was published by Crown.
Erin Westerman, president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “We could not be more honored that Virginia, Jane, and Cat have chosen us to be their studio partner on this project. This book spoke to so many people on our team who found Sybil’s story and character deeply moving, and we believe Jane, Virginia, and Cat responded to the genuine enthusiasm and personal touch that we bring. And there’s no one better to shepherd the project than our friend Todd Lieberman at Hidden Pictures, who alongside his colleague Carly Elter produced another successful book-to-screen adaptation in “The Housemaid.” This is a perfect team—we’re thrilled to have won the trust of all—and we can’t wait to get started.”
Lieberman added, “This book is a phenomenon. To be invited in alongside the legend Jane Fonda, with my Lionsgate partners and Cat, is a thrilling honor—and we all can’t wait to have moviegoers experience the same catharsis that so many book readers already have.”
Jane Fonda is represented by CAA, Untitled, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.
Cat Vasko’s adaptation of “Jour J (Unbridaled)” is set up at Apple with Gaumont and Adele Lim’s 100 Tigers producing; Lim will also direct. Vasko recently adapted “Zero Stars: Do Not Recommend” as a feature with 21 Laps producing and Lyrical financing. Vasko’s original feature screenplay “Canon” is set up at Amazon with Sister Pictures attached to produce. Vasko recently rewrote “Engagement” for Paramount with Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films and Aline Brosh McKenna’s Lean Machine producing. In 2019, Vasko was named one of Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch for her feature script “Queen of Air,” which has Dakota Johnson attached to star and produce. Vasko is repped by CAA, Untitled, and Hansen Jacobson. Photo Credit: Gracie Newman
Virginia Evans is from the east coast of the United States. She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature, as well as Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, for her masters of philosophy in creative writing. She lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and her Red Labrador, Brigid. The Correspondent has sold more than a million copies and is a #1 New York Times Bestselling novel. Evans is repped by Untitled, Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative, and Logan Clare at Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Photo Credit: Austin Joffe
Hidden Pictures, in addition to “The Housemaid” and “War Machine,” is prepping for the second season of “Robin Hood” with Lionsgate Television on MGM+. The company is also filming “Thornton” for Amazon and is in post-production on the feature film “Voltron.” The company also recently released the documentary series “Soul Power” on Prime.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.