Back in 2018 it was first reported that author Judy Blume had finally signed off on a film adaptation of her beloved coming of age book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Development has been slow since then, but Lionsgate has finally found its Margaret and her mother.
Rachel McAdams will play the mother, while young Ant-Man actress Abby Ryder Fortson will play Margaret. Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge Of Seventeen) was announced as director back in 2018, and remains on board. She will also produce alongside James L. Brooks‘ Gracie Films.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was first published in 1970 and quickly became a classic, especially to a generation of girls who related to protagonist Margaret, a sixth grader who moves from New York City to Farbrook, New Jersey. Raised by a religiously indifferent Christian mother and a Jewish father, she prays to a God she imagines is watching over her.
Margaret is curious of the changes happening to her body, and forms a secret club with four other girls where they discuss topics such as boys, bras, and periods. At the time, the subject matter was revolutionary and there were calls for the book to be banned from libraries. It is consistently listed as one of the best works of fiction written in the 20th century.
Blume reportedly signed off on the adaptation after Fremon Craig flew down to meet her in Florida, and when it came time to pitch the project to studios, Lionsgate transformed a conference room into an 11-year-old girl’s bedroom – complete with pictures of executives as 11-year-olds – in an effort to woo the famed author.
Fortson will be somewhat familiar to MCU fans, as she has played Cassie Lang in both Ant-Man films. She also played a younger version of Kathryn Prescott‘s character in A Dog’s Journey, and starred alongside Jessica Rothe in 2018’s country music drama Forever My Girl.
McAdams has been in the comedy realm recently, coming off films such as Game Night and Eurovision. She also has MCU links as she co-starred in the first Doctor Strange movie, and is set to reprise her role in Sam Raimi‘s upcoming sequel.
It’s great to see this adaptation finally get moving. McAdams has always been extremely likeable and if Fremon Craig can bring the same coming-of-age vibe that made The Edge Of Seventeen a success, Blume will be very happy that she finally relented and agreed to this adaptation.
#Peace.Love.AreYouThereGodItsMeMargaret
