Netflix announced on March 24 that they’re producing a movie version of the bestselling novel “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The book, released in 2017, became a major bestseller, thanks in part to amazing word of mouth on social media. No cast has been announced yet, so that got us thinking about who we’d love to see in the new film.
As readers know, in the book, Evelyn Hugo, now 79, asks magazine writer Monique Grant to help her write her life story. Monique is suspicious as to why a famous actress wants to work with her, but she agrees to listen. Evelyn recounts her life from growing up with Cuban parents in the Bronx to moving to Hollywood as a teenager to finding fame and fortune – and love. Though she’s well known for having married seven men, Evelyn reveals that the real love of her life is really fellow actress Celia St. James.
Here are some of the ideas we have for Evelyn, Celia, Monique, and the rest of the cast.
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Rita Moreno as Evelyn Hugo
Rita Moreno is an obvious choice to play the oldest Evelyn. Like Evelyn, Moreno is a Latina actress who’s worked in Hollywood for years. The book dramatises classic Hollywood, and Moreno actually lived and worked through that era.
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Ana de Armas as Evelyn Hugo
For younger Evelyn, Ana de Armas would be incredible. Like Evelyn, de Armas is Cuban. She’s also played characters in classic Hollywood before; she’s starring in Netflix’s upcoming film about Marilyn Monroe.
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Saoirse Ronan as Celia St. James
Like the fictional Celia, Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for an Oscar multiple times. Playing out Evelyn and Celia’s secret love on screen could be an amazing role for Ronan.
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Raven Goodwin as Monique Grant
Raven Goodwin most recently starred in “Single Black Female,” but the actress has spent years in Hollywood building up an impressive résum. She would bring depth and humour to the role of Monique.
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Harry Styles as Mick Riva
Mick Riva isn’t just one of Evelyn’s ex-husbands – he’s also the dad of the gang in “Malibu Rising,” another of Reid’s novels, which is being adapted for Hulu. Fans on social media have been clamouring for actor Harry Styles to play the fictional Riva, who is also a music superstar.
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Hugh Skinner as Harry Cameron
You might recognise Hugh Skinner from “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” where he played the younger version of Colin Firth’s Harry. Or, you might recognise him from “Fleabag,” where he played one of the main character’s ex-boyfriends, also named Harry. But Skinner is perfect for to play Harry Cameron not just because he often plays guys named Harry. Skinner brings a goofy, light quality to his work. And like Harry Cameron, Skinner is gay.
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Glen Powell as John Braverman
Glenn Powell has been building a name for himself as a heartthrob, and he would shine in this role as Celia’s husband – and Harry’s love.
