Kelly Fremon: Celebs Rumors

Carla Renata Judy Blume is having a major moment. Not only did Prime Video just release a documentary about her life, “Judy Blume Forever,” but Hulu recently also announced it’s turning her book, “Summer Sisters,” into a limited series. And on April 28, a film adaptation of “Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret?” will be in theaters. “I needed to read everything she ever wrote because she just wrote the truth about what it felt like to be that age,” the film’s director Kelly Fremon Craig told Variety at the movie’s Los Angeles premiere on Saturday.  Craig wrote a letter to Blume asking to adapt the YA novel. The author was already a fan of Craig’s “The Edge of Seventeen.” “I knew she was the right one. I couldn’t be happier. I may be the only book writer who has ever said that the movie is better than my book, and I mean it,” said Blume, who was recently honored by Variety at its Power of Women luncheon. “This wonderful group has given me the gift of lifetime.”

Selome Hailu Now in her eighties, legendary children’s author Judy Blume only recently became keen to the idea of adapting her books for the screen. But when it came to “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” — arguably Blume’s most famous title — her arms were crossed. She didn’t want any filmmaker to touch it. “And then I got this letter from Kelly,” Blume told Variety, smiling, in a cover story for March’s Power of Women issue. She’s referring to “The Edge of Seventeen” writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig, to whom she eventually granted the screen rights. Blume was convinced for three reasons: the beauty of the letter that Fremon Craig wrote her, the fact that James L. Brooks mentored Fremon Craig and would serve as a producer on the film, and most importantly, the fact that Fremon Craig was the first person to pursue the rights whose work Blume had previously seen. Within a week of the letter, Fremon Craig and Brooks flew to Key West, Fla. to make an in-person plea to Blume; the rest is history. “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” hit theaters via Lionsgate on April 28.

Brent Lang Executive Editor To get the chance to make a movie of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” producer James L. Brooks and writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig made the pilgrimage to the beloved author’s home in Key West, Fla. “I spent most of our time with Judy warning her about Hollywood and all the things it will do to you — basically, I warned her about folks like me,” says Brooks, the Oscar-winning director of “Terms of Endearment” and the co-creator of “The Simpsons” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Blume chose not to heed the admonition. By the end of their sit-down, Brooks, Craig and Blume’s husband George were all hugging. The film rights were theirs. It turns out Brooks and Craig had an ace up their sleeve: Blume had loved their collaboration “The Edge of Seventeen,” a sensitively drawn look at a teenager navigating the minefield of high school while processing her dad’s death. It’s a coming-of-age tale that’s similar to “Are You There God?,” which depicts the challenges and mortifications of being on the cusp of puberty. On April 28, fans of the book will get to see how successfully Craig, Brooks and their collaborators pulled it off when the Lionsgate release opens in theaters.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.We’re so used to seeing teens played by twentys-omethings. What was it like casting actual 11-year-olds for this?Kelly Fremon Craig: The casting process was seeing every kid under the sun and really looking places that you don’t expect, trying to find kids from all over. A lot of the kids, this was their first ever thing.

Legendary author Judy Blume has written 29 books and swore the only one she would never consider selling for the screen was 1970’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, her timeless coming-of-age book that became a rite of passage for just about every girl, like Margaret, going from age 11 to 12, and probably their mothers as well. Blume held fast until 2018 when writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and her mentor, Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks, came calling with just the right idea for an adaptation. The deal was sealed. The movie is here. Blume says she is probably the only author to say the movie is better than her book.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret—'s seminal coming-of-age novel.In the 50 years since it was first published, the book has become a cultural touchpoint. It's often referred to as the novel about as a young girl—from groan-inducing sex-ed presentations to the “Mom, I need a bra!” conversation.

Focus Features has announced that it will release We Are Lady Parts creator Nida Manzoor’s feature directorial debut Polite Society in U.S. theaters on April 28, 2023. The action-comedy will be released internationally by Universal Pictures International, with its UK debut set for April 7, 2023.

Liston was promoted to lead the Global Marketing department last year. She previously held the job and Kops will report to Liston.“Eric could not be more respected for his creativity, intelligence, experience, and leadership skills, which made him the perfect choice to head up the department,” Liston said in a statement.

Lionsgate has promoted David Edwards to Executive Vice President, Global Marketing. In his new role at the studio, he will report to President of Global Marketing, Marisa Liston, overseeing creative, digital and strategy for its global motion picture marketing department.

EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has wrapped production on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, its feature adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel.