Emily Henry, the celebrated author behind the upcoming novel “Funny Story,” has revealed her dream cast for the book’s film adaptation. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Henry shared her thoughts on who she envisions playing the key characters in the story.
“Funny Story” centers around Daphne, a woman grappling with the aftermath of a heartbreaking breakup. Her fiancé, Peter, calls off their wedding after falling in love with his best friend, Petra. Left devastated and without a home, Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles, and an unexpected romance begins to blossom.
The Us Weekly team suggested Logan Lerman and Camila Morrone for the roles of Miles and Daphne, respectively. Henry was thrilled with the idea, especially when Glen Powell was proposed for the role of Peter. “Before you even said that, it popped into my head,” Henry exclaimed, hinting at a shared vision for the characters.
For the character of Petra, Henry expressed her admiration for Meghann Fahy, known for her role in “The White Lotus.” “I love her,” Henry said. “Petra’s whole thing is, like, you want to hate her, but also you’re like, ‘You’re also really nice. You did this bad thing.’”
When it came to casting Miles’ younger sister, Julia, Rain Spencer from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was suggested, though Henry also mentioned Sydney Chandler as a potential fit. For Daphne’s best friend, Ashleigh, Us Weekly proposed Hilary Duff or Jenna Fischer, both of whom Henry found appealing.
The role of Daphne’s stepmother, Starfire, seemed tailor-made for Jennifer Coolidge, while Dennis Quaid was the top choice for her father. Henry initially considered Matthew McConaughey but felt he might be too young. She also mentioned Stellan Skarsgård before settling on Quaid, appreciating the nostalgic rom-com vibe he would bring to the film.
Variety reported that Henry is adapting “Funny Story” into a film with Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company, marking the fifth of her books to be adapted for the screen. Henry is taking on the scriptwriting duties herself, ensuring the story stays true to her vision.
Before this adaptation news, Henry had sparked speculation about potential casting for another project, possibly “Book Lovers,” after sharing a photo of Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri together on social media. The buzz around this photo led Henry to humorously worry if she had inadvertently caused any trouble with her producers. However, she appreciated the enthusiasm of her fans, acknowledging that their excitement is a driving force behind the adaptations of her books.
Henry’s previous works, including “Beach Read,” “People We Meet on Vacation,” and “Book Lovers,” are all in various stages of development for film adaptations. While she has no current plans for sequels to any of her books, she remains open to the idea if the right story comes along.
In addition to her work on “Funny Story,” Henry is hard at work on another book, though details remain under wraps. She also shared some writing tips, emphasizing the importance of reading widely, finishing projects, and writing what only you can write. She encourages writers to trust their vision and not be swayed by trends or external expectations.
Henry’s journey to becoming a published author involved signing with an agent, a process she acknowledges can be long and challenging. She advises aspiring authors to research agents thoroughly, personalize their query letters, and remain patient and persistent.
As fans eagerly await the film adaptations of Henry’s beloved novels, the excitement around “Funny Story” and its potential cast continues to build. With Henry at the helm of the script, readers can look forward to a faithful and heartfelt adaptation of her latest work.
Source: Us Weekly, Variety
