Abby Ryder Forstson was so excited by the possibility of being cast in “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” she wrote a letter to the filmmakers expressing how she related to the 12-year-old protagonist at the center of Judy Blume’s beloved book. Then, after being cast, she corresponded with Margaret’s onscreen grandmother, Kathy Bates, via letters.
For the first time, Variety is sharing Fortson’s correspondence, starting with the letter she sent to writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell after their first meeting.
In the note, Fortson talks about how much she relates to Margaret Simons, who feels adrift due to relocating to a new school and her parents’ interfaith marriage; her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish. Wrote Forster: “I get made fun of, I don’t have a ton of good friends, I don’t really have a religion,...
For the first time, Variety is sharing Fortson’s correspondence, starting with the letter she sent to writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell after their first meeting.
In the note, Fortson talks about how much she relates to Margaret Simons, who feels adrift due to relocating to a new school and her parents’ interfaith marriage; her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish. Wrote Forster: “I get made fun of, I don’t have a ton of good friends, I don’t really have a religion,...
- 12/15/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Kelly Fremon Craig, the writer, director and producer of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, opened up about what inspired her to reach out to Judy Blume to adapt the beloved coming-of-age novel into a film.
During Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, Craig said that after The Edge of Seventeen, she was thinking about what was next for her and thought about authors who had impacted her life.
“The first person who came to my mind was Judy Blume,” she said during her film’s panel. “I mean, really, she turned me into a reader and a writer. I started to reread all her books with a thought of adapting them.”
Craig said that during that same time, Blume posted on social media that she had been thinking of optioning her books, but the only one she wouldn’t allow to be adapted was Are You There God?...
During Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, Craig said that after The Edge of Seventeen, she was thinking about what was next for her and thought about authors who had impacted her life.
“The first person who came to my mind was Judy Blume,” she said during her film’s panel. “I mean, really, she turned me into a reader and a writer. I started to reread all her books with a thought of adapting them.”
Craig said that during that same time, Blume posted on social media that she had been thinking of optioning her books, but the only one she wouldn’t allow to be adapted was Are You There God?...
- 11/19/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
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.
It may have taken half a century to do it but, there can be no doubt that Craig has gotten it right. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is as perfect an adaptation of a life-changing book as there will ever be.
It may have taken half a century to do it but, there can be no doubt that Craig has gotten it right. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is as perfect an adaptation of a life-changing book as there will ever be.
- 4/20/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Rachel McAdams as Barbara Dimon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ (Photo Credit: Dana Hawley)
Lionsgate’s released the first four photos from the upcoming film adaptation of Judy Blume’s popular book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The batch of new photos arrives a little over three months out from the movie’s planned April 28, 2023 theatrical release.
The images feature Rachel McAdams as Barbara, Kathy Bates as Sylvia, Benny Safdie as Herb, and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret.
Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) adapted Blume’s book and directed the family-friendly project. Craig also serves as a producer along with Judy Blume, James L. Brooks, Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Amy Lorraine Brooks, and Aldric La’auli Porter. Jonathan McCoy executive produces.
Lionsgate released the following synopsis of the 2023 film:
“For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic...
Lionsgate’s released the first four photos from the upcoming film adaptation of Judy Blume’s popular book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The batch of new photos arrives a little over three months out from the movie’s planned April 28, 2023 theatrical release.
The images feature Rachel McAdams as Barbara, Kathy Bates as Sylvia, Benny Safdie as Herb, and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret.
Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) adapted Blume’s book and directed the family-friendly project. Craig also serves as a producer along with Judy Blume, James L. Brooks, Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Amy Lorraine Brooks, and Aldric La’auli Porter. Jonathan McCoy executive produces.
Lionsgate released the following synopsis of the 2023 film:
“For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic...
- 1/10/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon, Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon, and Benny Safdie as Herb Simon in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Photo Credit: Dana Hawley
Lionsgate has revealed first look images featuring Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates on behalf of Are You There God? It’S Me, Margaret. The movie arrives in theaters on April 28, 2023.
For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions.
In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother,...
Lionsgate has revealed first look images featuring Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates on behalf of Are You There God? It’S Me, Margaret. The movie arrives in theaters on April 28, 2023.
For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions.
In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.