Exclusive Interview
Director Yulin Kuang Reveals Major ‘Beach Read’ Adaptation Update
What To Know
- People We Meet on Vacation screenwriter Yulin Kuang is set to adapt and direct Emily Henry’s novel Beach Read.
- Kuang exclusively revealed to Swooon where the Beach Read adaptation is in the production process.
- Kuang also commented on BookTok’s viral dream casts for the Beach Read leads.
People We Meet on Vacation isn’t the only Emily Henry rom-com to get book-to-screen treatment!
Ahead of the release of People We Meet on Vacation, which premieres on Netflix on January 9, screenwriter Yulin Kuang, who is also directing Beach Read, sat down with Swooon to discuss the status of their upcoming project. Trust us, EmHen lovers, this is one update you don’t want to miss.
Beach Read, which was published in May 2020, follows romance writer January Andrews, who moves into a beach house neighboring literary fiction author Augustus Everett for the summer. Both struggling with writer’s block, the polar opposites decide to trade genres, teaching each other the secrets to their work.
In 2023, it was announced that Yulin Kuang, author of How to End a Love Story, had been tapped to adapt and direct Beach Read for 20th Century Studios. After two years of waiting for an update on the highly anticipated adaptation, Kuang has exclusively revealed to Swooon that Beach Read is currently casting.
From Ayo Edebiri and Paul Mescal to Simone Ashley and Dev Patel, everyone has their dream pairing to play January and Augustus. Before you ask, of course, Kuang has seen the dream casts. When asked if she was privy to the fan-favorite theorized pairings, Kuang told Swooon, “They have been brought to my attention, yes.”
While Kuang has definitely seen the internet’s passionate pleas for their favorite stars to get the EmHen rom-com treatment — trust us, we’re right there with you — Kuang couldn’t reveal if anyone on the internet’s shortlist had actually made their way into the official casting room.
Comment below with who you hope to see as January and Augustus, and be sure to check out Swooon‘s Emily Henry book guide to find the adaptation status of Happy Place, Book Lovers, and more!
Read Yulin Kuang’s full interview with Swooon about People We Meet on Vacation and a possible sequel here!
Beach Read, TBA, 20th Century Studios
