Stepsister is Being Adapted for Film

Big news! I’m so happy to announce that Stepsister, my upcoming novel about Cinderella’s ugly stepsister, is being adapted for film! I will be working with William Morris Endeavor Content to bring this tale of loss, redemption, and the true meaning of beauty to life on screen.  (Read the whole story in the Hollywood Reporter for details.)

My stories are my babies, and I’m extremely possessive and protective of them. But from our first conversation, I felt a deep connection with the amazing Endeavor Content team. They are smart, sensitive and creative, and it is clear that they get Stepsister — and they get me. I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with them on this.

I will keep you posted as this project develops. In the meantime, I am hard at work on the book, and loving it. I’m loving getting to know a mean girl who maybe isn’t evil, who maybe regrets her behavior and wants to make amends, and who maybe deserves a shot at her own happily ever after.

Stay tuned!

24 comments

  1. Bailey F says:

    I’ve read all your fairy tale retellings and I love them so much! I can’t wait to see how the movie for Stepsister turns out. I love your books, they’re so inspirational. It makes me want to write a book of my own as I like similar genres!

      • Bailey says:

        I’ve recently re-read the book and my favourite part is probably the part on pages 167-170 when Felix gives her the slipper with the wooden toes as a gift so she can walk without a limp again, and then they get into that argument where Felix ends up leaving (though not forever). There is so much sweet, raw and powerful emotion in it (or at least there was to me) and just reading it gave me chills. (In a good way.)
        I also re-read Poison as well, and both those fairy tale retellings make me want to go back to all the fractured fairy tales I wrote back in grades 7-11. And one I’m currently working on now, in the process of being in my last year of high school.

  2. Vera L says:

    I’ve read “Stepsister” in Russian and I fell in love with this book. It is really exciting and I want the film)

    PS I like this book because though the characters are realistic, the overall emotional content of the story is not changed as they like to do now. Cruel sisters are not shown as kind but it is explained why they feel and act this way, Ella remains a nice girl but she also has human foibles. You don’t ruin the fairy tale but explain it from you point of view and grant a second chance to baddies. Thank you.

  3. Sage says:

    Stepsister is my favourite book ever! I can wait to watch the movie! The whole time I was reading I was planning how it would look in movie form. It would mean the world to me if you could reply to my comment!

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      I agree, Sage — it would be amazing to see Stepsister on the screen. It has been optioned by an amazing production team, so hopefully we’ll get to see it soon!!

  4. Delilah says:

    OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!! I loved Stepsister!!!! I read it in less than a day and have been rereading it for the last month. I could related to what you wrote in the author’s note, and am glad to have found someone that feels the same. About the ugly stepsisters and beauty. I also read the acknowledgments and my favorite part, the part I read the most, was about fairy tales being truthful. Cinderella has always been my favorite story, but you gave it a whole new meaning. Thank you.
    – Delilah A.

  5. Shay . says:

    Haii!! It’s been a long since you’ve last given an update. Is there any new information on the film? Release dates, cast, anything?

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Hi Shay! Stepsister is still moving forward! I saw a first-draft script not too long ago, and that was pretty amazing! No details on dates or cast yet … but I promise I’ll pass along any news I can share. Here’s a related item that’s hot off the press, though: Poisoned, my new retelling of Snow White, has been acquired by the same amazing producers who are developing Stepsister!

  6. Megan Flowers says:

    As I read this fantastic book I heard this one song that described Isabelle so perfectly in my mind. It’s called “The hero in your heart” by Thomas Bergersen (feat. Merethe Soltvedt) and I just wanted to tell you about it. THOUGH AS i was reading this whole book, I just fell in love with it. I could easily see it in my mind that I wished it to become a movie and to my surprise when I read the acknowledgments it was! So I just wanted to say that your doing a wonderful job with your books and I just love them to death. Thank you for your wonderful works!

  7. Hina Batool says:

    OMG! I just read the first chapter of the book and then had to search up if there will be a movie and am getting so excited! I can’t wait! I just recently started reading books and its series and this is the one of which I want its movie the most. (sorry my English skills are not the best)

  8. Barb Franklin says:

    I loved the book “Stepsister!” Thank you for writing it. During the fight scene I thought to myself, “This could be a movie, it is so detailed and easy to picture.” Then I read all the notes and there is was! Congratulations and can’t wait to see the movie and read your other stories. Your fan, Barb

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      I don’t know when it’s coming out, but I do know the production team is working on it! I will keep you posted and share any news I get as soon as I can!!

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