It’s an exciting event when a popular book becomes a film. The hope of an accurate or entertaining adaptation surpasses any reality of the quality of the film or TV show. We just want to believe it will be good. Some of my favorite movies are also my favorite books. Therefore, I am constantly thrilled when studios or production companies buy book rights. A book adaptation is even more exciting when it's better than the book. We’ll eventually find out where Colleen Hoover’s Verity ranks among book-to-film adaptations. It could be another hit if it matches the success of It Ends with Us.
Verity is already one of the most anticipated upcoming book-to-screen adaptations, and filming hasn’t even begun. Because this bestseller is still in the development stage, details are scarce. However, we know a few things about this upcoming Colleen Hoover adaptation, including who plays the title character. Let’s discuss everything we know so far about Verity.
What Is the Verity Release Date?
As of December 2024, Verity has no release date. Because production has yet to begin, we don’t know if the film will come out in a few years, a decade from now, or even live in constant limbo. The earliest we can expect a Verity film is 2025 or 2026. The production team may have wanted to wait and see how the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us performed. Because It Ends with Us had a successful opening weekend and overall box office success, there may be a rush to capitalize on the success of that Hoover film.
Hoover is a popular enough author that I don’t expect Verity to never go into production, or take a decade or more to become a movie. We should anticipate the film being released in the next few years, but at this point, there’s no word yet on when production will start, and there’s no release date set.
Amazon Is Producing The Verity Movie
In May 2024, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Amazon MGM Studios is producing Verity. Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund are leading its production.
Will Verity Get A Theatrical Release?
Because of Amazon’s involvement, Verity could premiere on Prime Video (similar to the releases of adaptations of popular books such as The Idea of You and Red, White and Royal Blue) or it could have a theatrical release. In fact, Deadline reported that a source told them that Verity plans a theater release. Whether that’s limited or nationwide is still unknown. Hopefully, the company will learn from the Idea of You and make it more accessible to all theatergoers.
Verity Is A Mystery Thriller That Makes You Question Reality
The Verity book has some similarities to movies such as Gone Girl, A Simple Favor, Rebecca, and Vertigo. It creates a sense of distrust between the reader and these characters. Like the aforementioned films, Verity could become a great twisty thriller if it leans into certain aspects of the book and story.
Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh, a writer who hasn’t had much book success. She’s at a low point in her life and career. Then she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: ghostwriting for a very popular author. A car accident put Verity Crawford in a comatose state. As Lowen begins living in Verity’s home, she also develops a close bond with her husband, Jeremy. Lowen soon discovers that Verity may have more than a few buried secrets.
Verity plays with the reader's sense of truth and fiction within this world. Lowen isn’t an unreliable narrator but we aren’t sure whether her writer’s imagination is just playing tricks on her. We’re also not exactly sure about the real Verity. The story has a lot of intrigue that will work well in movie form.
Verity already has a cinematic quality that should make the transition from page to screen easier.
The Verity Cast
Verity has three key characters, Verity, Jeremy, and Lowen. Of those three characters, only the role of Verity has been cast, but with that announced, Lowen and Jeremy casting news seems inevitable. In the meantime, let’s talk about the title character…
Anne Hathaway Will Play Verity
In November 2024, Amazon Studios announced that Anne Hathaway will play Verity. This casting news brought similar backlash to the casting news of Blake Lively with It Ends with Us. This will be Hathaway’s second collaboration with Amazon. She starred in Prime Video’s The Idea of You, another popular book adaptation. This film was a success for the company and confirmed that people will watch anything with Hathaway. The Idea of You actress is best known for roles in The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and Interstellar. She can next be seen in Flowervale Street and Mother Mary. Hathaway will also reunite with Christopher Nolan in his next film project.
Verity Reunites Anne Hathaway With The Idea Of You Director
Michael Showalter will direct Verity. He also directed The Idea of You, so this will be his second collaboration with Anne Hathaway. His other directorial work includes The Big Sick, The Lovebirds, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Spoiler Alert.
A Prolific Writer In The Horror And True Crime Genre Is Penning The Script
Verity producer Nick Antosca is currently attached to write the script. Originally, Hillary Seitz, whose past work includes Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia, Eagle Eye, and the recent Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis movie The Unforgivable, another film with a really intriguing ending, was announced as the Verity screenwriter. Other writers who were once attached to Verity include Angela LaManna, and Will Honley and April Maguire. Antosca’s screenwriting credits include Teen Wolf, Hannibal, Channel Zero, Brand New Cherry Flavor, The Act, Candy, and A Friend of the Family.
Questions We Still Have
Some key things are still unknown about Verity, so I have a few questions that we hope to get answers for in the next few months.
When Will Production Start?
There have been many book-to-movie adaptations that have had the rights bought and then it’s taken years before going into production. However, with casting announced for one of the lead roles, not to mention the recent box office success for another Colleen Hoover adaptation, things will hopefully move more quickly for this movie.
The It Ends with Us trailer gained over 128 Million views in the first 24 hours, so that was a good indication of its potential box office success. Additionally, because Hathaway is attached, Verity likely is in the works in the near future. But, of course, we’ll have to wait and see.
Will The Verity Movie Have The Same Ending As The Book?
Vague references to the book's end in this section!
Verity’s ending is one of the most discussed parts of the book. It could become a confusing ending in film form, so the movie may make some changes to make it more clear to the audience. It’s an ending that even Hoover has admitted to struggling to form a definitive opinion about. In an interview with Betty Booklist, she had this to say about the ending.
In the end, when Lowen was confused, I was confused. I know people don’t believe that but I really was. When I was writing that, I was like ‘Oh my gosh what is real, what is not’ because that book is just from that one character’s perspective.
The Verity movie could offer different characters’ perspectives and different contexts to allow a concrete answer on the ending.
Verity Could Become Hoover’s Third Book Adaptation
It Ends with Us is the second adaptation. It stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni and premiered in theaters on August 9, 2024, and is now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.
Additionally, other Colleen Hoover books are also in the works to become film or television series. Allison Williams signed on to star in Regretting You. The film is already further in the production stage than Verity, as it already has a cast and director. So it may actually become the third Colleen Hoover adaptation with Verity coming at some point after.
Many details on Verity remain a mystery. However, it’s one of Hoover’s most popular books. It sold over a million copies and constantly made appearances on best-selling book lists. It’s a highly anticipated adaptation that I don’t believe we will have to wait too long to see. Make sure to check back on CinemaBlend for any news and updates on the Verity movie.
