Nearly 50 years after Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret was first published, author Judy Blume sold film rights to her iconic novel.
"I love the movie," Blume shared. "How many authors of the book can say, 'I think that movie is better than the book'?"
Here's everything we know about the upcoming film starring Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates.
It's from the creators of the Edge of Seventeen.
Producers James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films and Kelly Fremon Craig, of the 2016 coming-of-age drama The Edge of Seventeen bought the rights to turn the book into a movie.
Fremon Craig told Deadline why she thinks the book has been so popular among young women for many generations: "It’s rare for me to run into a woman or girl who hasn’t read it and every time I’ve mentioned it to a woman, they clutch their heart and let out this joyful gasp. There’s something so timely and full of truth and I remember for me that at that age, it felt like a life raft at a time when you’re lost and searching and unsure. This book comes along and tells you you’re not alone. Women remember where they were when they read it. I can’t think of another book you can say that about.”
Brooks said he got the idea to turn the book into a movie because his granddaughter had just read it, and the storyline still resonated with her. “It definitely won’t feel like a period piece," he said. "People have read at various stages and it felt present and immediate."
The movie stars Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates.
Abby Ryder Fortson stars as 11-year-old Margaret, and Rachel McAdams stars as Margaret's mom, Benny Safdie stars as Margaret's dad, and Kathy Bates as Margaret's grandmother.
"The book is obviously about a young girl who is becoming a young woman and she's embracing her womanhood. And I think women throughout history have been taught to feel negatively about their bodies and about the processes that their bodies go through. I think this film will help young women feel better about their bodies," Bates shared.
It's based on Judy Blume's bestselling novel.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret explores the life of an 11-year-old girl named Margaret Simon who is in the sixth grade. She forms a secret club with three girl friends, in which they talk about adolescent issues many young women go through, including getting her first period, liking boys, and buying her first bra. In the book, Margaret also talks about exploring her faith after being brought up in a home with a Christian mother and Jewish father.
Blume was on set during the making of the film. "Watching her watch her book come to life and to be a part of that was just so surreal," McAdams shared. "She's the loveliest lady and I felt very honored to be part of this for that reason. That she waited so, so long to do this until she felt really good about giving it over. I just wanted to do right by her and give her the best Barb I could."
The film premieres on April 28, 2023.
We'll update this when we learn more about streaming.
