‘A Simple Favor’ Writer Jessica Sharzer Directing Adaptation of Sian Gilbert’s ‘She Started It’ for Lyrical Media, Ryder Picture Company (EXCLUSIVE)

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Sian Gilbert’s first thriller novel “She Started It” is being brought to life for the big screen by Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company. Jessica Sharzer, who penned the script for “A Simple Favor,” will be directing from a script she co-wrote with Sarah Masson. Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett of Ryder Picture Company are producing alongside Alexander Black of Lyrical Media. Lyrical Media is funding the project’s development, with Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers serving as executive producers. At present, casting for the film is in progress.

The announcement comes ahead of the June release of Gilbert’s second novel, “I Did Warn Her.”

The movie titled “She Started It” revolves around Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe, who were once inseparable friends from childhood but have since grown apart due to different life paths. Their lives may not have turned out as they had imagined, but a shared history and buried secrets keep them somewhat connected. An invitation from their old classmate Poppy Greer to an opulent bachelorette weekend on a private island rekindles their bond, driven by curiosity and the allure of luxury. However, the island retreat turns out to be more than it appears as there’s no cell service, no other guests, and tensions begin to rise among them. The women soon realize that they underestimated Poppy and, even more so, each other.

Jessie Nagel has reworked Darcey Bell’s suspense novel “A Simple Favor” for its forthcoming sequel, titled “Another Simple Favor.” The film, starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, is directed by Paul Feig and will be available exclusively on Prime Video starting this week. Nagel made her mark in the film industry with her debut feature at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 with “Speak”; she also wrote and produced the movie “Nerve” and has been tasked with re-imagining films such as “The Hunger” for Warner Brothers and “To Catch A Thief” for Paramount. Furthermore, Nagel serves as a co-executive producer on television series like “American Horror Story” (FX), “Star” (Fox), “Amazing Stories” (Apple) and “Nine Perfect Strangers” (Hulu).

As a cinephile, every time I put pen to paper to craft a script, I’m already visualizing the scenes unfold like a director, then transferring that vision onto the page. With ‘She Started It’, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of witnessing this movie come to life in its entirety, from the initial draft to the final frame. This genre-blending film has a unique tone that resonated with me deeply ever since I read the novel, and I knew then and there that it was a project I had to be a part of. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to embark on this creative journey alongside RPC and the Lyrical team.

Under the agreement between “She Started It” and Lyrical and Ryder, they are now working on “Onslaught” directed by Adam Wingard and “The Death of Robin Hood” helmed by Michael Sarnoski. Both films, featuring stars like Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, and Bill Skarsgård, will be distributed by A24. Additionally, these companies are developing several projects, including an adaptation of Emily Henry’s successful romantic comedy novel titled “Funny Story,” as well as a film based on Brynne Weaver’s popular novel, “Butcher & Blackbird.” Lyrical Media’s future lineup also includes a television adaptation of Lauren Roberts’ best-selling debut YA novel, “Powerless.

Sharzer is repped by UTA and North Star. Gilbert is represented by the Helen Heller Agency.

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2025-04-29 19:21