Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson will star in an adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic coming-of-age novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Fortson, who plays Ant-Man/Scott Lang’s daughter Cassie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will play Margaret Simon. McAdams will play Margaret’s mother, Barbara.
The writer and director behind the movie The Edge of Seventeen, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Kelly Fremon Craig, will direct and write the upcoming feature. Production is expected to begin in April.
For decades, it has been known how profusely Blume has refused to turn her published works into movies, but for Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, especially with the cast was given the seal of approval from Blume. Blume will be the producer of the film.
“Abby is funny and tender, strong yet vulnerable. She IS Margaret,” Blume said. “And Rachel — wow! — does it get any better? A funny, loving, sexy, real woman who is also a mom. I can’t wait to see these two playing mother and daughter. It all began with trusting Kelly and Jim, and they’ve proven how much this project means to them, which means everything to me.”
First published in 1970, it centers on a sixth-grade girl Margaret Simon, who’s going through puberty and searching the world for any answers she can get. With her mother and grandmother trying to help guide her through a time when everything is changing, they’re going to find that you never stop challenging your course and defining what’s meaningful in your life.