The Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine Movie adaptation has been in the works for a while now, but it does still seem to be trucking along (as opposed to fizzling out). Here’s what we know so far:
What’s it about?
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a story about a woman who is an awkward and damaged social misfit. It’s about her journey to find a way to survive and to open her life and heart up to others. The novel deals with themes about alienation, loneliness and kindness with humor and empathy.
See The Bibliofile’s review of the book and a detailed summary of the plot.
Eleanor Oliphant was the debut novel for author Gail Honeyman. It was published by Penguin Random House imprint Pamela Dorman Books.
What format will it be?
The Eleanor Oliphant adaptation is currently planned as a feature movie release.
Who’s behind it?
The movie is being produced by Hello Sunshine’s Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter in partnership with MGM, and Liz Hannah (The Post) is writing the script, which appears to have been completed in some form as of January 19, 2019, according to IMDBPro.
The film rights to the movie were optioned by Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine pretty much as soon as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was released in May 2017. Reese was announced as potentially starring as the titular character of Eleanor Oliphant.
The project was quiet for a while, but in December 2018, it was announced that MGM has joined in on the project, and Liz Hannah was announced as the scriptwriter as well. Liz Hannah previously wrote the script for the Oscar-nominated The Post (starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks).
From Witherspoon: “Gail has created an incredibly smart, funny, and eccentric character who beautifully demonstrates the ways vulnerability and human connection can so deeply enrich your life. Eleanor’s journey is utterly extraordinary. To know her is to love her, and I’m so excited to team up with MGM and Liz Hannah to bring this unbelievably gorgeous character to life on-screen.”
From MGM President of Motion Picture Group Jonathan Glickman: “For over 17 years, Reese has been an integral part of the fabric of MGM both in front and behind the camera, and we couldn’t be happier to continue this partnership with her Hello Sunshine team on this wonderful and beloved novel.”
What’s the status?
The rights have been optioned and a scriptwriter, Liz Hannah, is attached to the project. The script appears to have been completed in some form as of January 19, 2019, according to IMDBPro (but this could just be a first draft, etc.).
Back in 2018, Hannah’s blurb for the 2019 Austin Film Festival, stated that “she will next adapt Gail Honeyman’s bestselling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and MGM” — indicating the project is still in motion.
Who’s in the cast?
Reese Witherspoon is the only potential cast member at the moment. Eleanor Oliphant was reported as being a potential “star vehicle” for her, so presumably she’d be slated to play the titular character of Eleanor Oliphant.
When will it be released?
Currently unknown. It’s still too early!
Is there a trailer or teaser available?
Not yet! Stay tuned.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Movie Development Timeline
May 9, 2017 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (novel) is released.
May 11, 2017 Deadline reports that Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company has acquired the film rights to Eleanor Oliphant and that it is a potential “star vehicle” (in other words, she’s maybe planning on starring in it) for her.
December 19, 2018 MGM has agreed to partner with Hello Sunshine in developing Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and Liz Hannah is announced as the scriptwriter for the project.
January 19, 2019 The status of the movie was updated on IMDBPro to reflect a completed script for Eleanor Oliphant.
I’m already getting twitchy with anticipation for this film! I really, really, really hope it comes to be!
i bet it’ll be really good if they actually make it, esp. if reese witherspoon plays the lead, so I’m hoping it happens too! :)
Damn, I bought a copy of this book almost a year ago and have been excited about reading for ages, but just haven’t gotten to it. I’d better go ahead and read it pronto so I’ll be ready when the film adaptation comes out! :P
haha that happens to me all the time! :) happy reading!
Just finished this novel.. I’m sobbing for this beautiful character x
It is a good novel, very moving and also funny at times.
LOVING this book right now. It just occurred to me that it is kind of like a grown up’s version of Amelia Bedelia! So excited for the movie.
This movie would be great if it were played as it is in the book with the characters being Scottish. I reckon American accents will spoil it (same as Girl on a train, it needed to be set in London rather than USA.
It needs to be set in the UK not USA!
I hope the movie is set in the UK where the book is set and that the actors have proper Scottish accents. An Americanized version with a known actress like Reese would totally spoil the “unknownness” of the main character. I could see this being an amazing opportunity for an up and coming actress. Hollywood/Reese might turn this into a chick flick love story instead of a powerful journey of a unique woman. I loved the book and I’m already not sure about the movie if Reese is cast as Eleanor.
I just listened to the BBC Radio 4 Extra audio book version, complete with Scottish accent. Loved it, a faithful rendition and just as good as the book. I am glad the book has been optioned for a movie, but please not relocated to the USA, nor with Reese. Just wrong and will turn off all the fans of the original.
I love Reese, she is one of my favourite actresses. However, I know what you mean; I’d love for Eleanor amd all the other characters to stay Scottish. It would be so much more authentic. Wonder when and if this is still happening?!
I am a fan of Resse as well. However, an unknown should play Eleanor. Not to mention Reese is far too old for the part.
Eleanor isn’t Scottish though. She grew up in London, and only moved to Scotland when she moved into her current flat and her job. It wouldn’t make sense for her to be Scottish, because the character isn’t. But I do agree the book should stay based in Scotland, and the other characters should reflect that with their accent. Saw another comment that Mark Ruffalo would be perfect for Raymond and I agree! Providing he can pull off a convincing Scottish accent, of course.
I’d like to see Mark Ruffalo as Eleanor’s friend Raymond. He’d be perfect.
Agree 100%
I have loved both “A Man Called Ove” and “Britt Marie was Here”, both novels by Fredrik Backman that were made into movies. They were great and I know of a couple more of his novels that I would LOVE to see as movies and that is “My Grandmother Said to Tell You She’s Sorry” and “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine”. Please keep me posted of the status!!! Thanks!!
If Reese W. has the control to cast, she needs to do the right thing and back off playing Elinor. Reese is phenomenal but she’s too old for the part and cannot pull off the accent. The only actress who can be Elinor is Saoirse Ronin. She’s the right age, the right accent and the best actress to be Elinor. Taron Egerton as Raymond would be perfect. And for Christ’s sake it’s in Scotland, film it there.
Noooooooooo….not Reese Witherspoon! PLEASE no. Satires Ronan YESSSS.
That was supposed to be Saoirse Ronan.
I really have been waiting for the film. Both times I’ve read the book I have been overwhelmed
Loved this book. Just watched The Queen’s Gambit – Anya Taylor-Joy would be exceptional as Eleanor. Agree Reese is not young enough for this role. Would agree on UK location… but not sure it has to be Scottish accent.
Hurry up and release this movie, I’ve just finished reading the book and loved it,
I’m still waiting….. Amy status update?
I would love to see Audrey Plaza or Zoey Deschanel as Eleanor.
My thoughts on this is that Reese W. is wrong for this part although fine to produce it. My pick would be Emma Watson for Eleanor and James Corden for Raymond.
This is set in Scotland I believe and they should be actors from the UK. Plus Eleanor is 30 years old Reese is cute but not 30.
She may do a fine job at producing but I don’t see Reese as Elinor. In my mind she’s played by Emily Watson or Emily Mortimer.
oh i could totally see Emily Mortimer as eleanor!
Florence Pugh would be perfect for the role, she is an amazing actress.
I just finished this book and am about to start it over again. I did not suffer what Eleanor did, but her take on her own emotional issues felt very close to home. I hope the movie happens.
If film ever comes to fruition Glasgow should be the setting. Ideal reward for such an excellent first book by Gail Honeyman
The Scottish character fits the realism of the story.
I think “star vehicle” means that it has the potential to make a star out of an actor that hasn’t yet had a break-through role.
Where can I watch this please?