Ana de Armas has addressed speculation that she could be cast in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. In a recent interview, the actor responded to ongoing fan discussions linking her to the role.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, de Armas said she is aware of the interest. “I heard that, yeah,” she said. When asked about stepping away from action films to portray Evelyn Hugo, she replied, “I think one of the things I love about acting and my career is to be able to do everything. You have to try all the things you can. You can’t just always eat the same thing.”
De Armas has appeared in several action-focused projects, including No Time to Die, The Gray Man, and Ghosted. Her next film, Ballerina, places her in the lead of a John Wick spinoff.
Netflix announced in 2022 that it was developing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo as a feature film. The adaptation is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling 2017 novel, which centers on Evelyn Hugo, a legendary Old Hollywood star who agrees to reveal her life story to a little-known journalist. The book traces her rise to fame, her private relationships, and the reasons behind her carefully curated public image.
The screenplay is being written by Liz Tigelaar, whose previous credits include Little Fires Everywhere. Liza Chasin and Brad Mendelsohn are producing, with Reid and Margaret Chernin attached as executive producers.
Casting has not been confirmed, though fans have speculated widely on social media. De Armas has often been cited as a popular choice for Evelyn Hugo, along with Eiza González and others. Jessica Chastain had been frequently suggested for the role of Celia St. James, but she said in 2023 that she would not appear in the film. “There is zero possibility that I will be doing that,” she told E! News. “I just love how wonderful that fan base is.”
González also shared interest in taking on the lead role. In an interview with E! News, she said, “It’d be such an honor. I love the book. I love all [Reid’s] stuff. I’m a huge fan.” González added that actor Natalie Portman once encouraged her to consider the role. “Natalie Portman was like, ‘You know I just can’t think of anyone else to do Evelyn Hugo,’” she said.
She also named Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, and Sofía Vergara as actors who could portray the older version of the character. “There’s so many amazing actresses,” she said.
Reid’s work continues to draw attention in Hollywood. Her novel Malibu Rising is in development at Hulu. Daisy Jones & The Six was released on Prime Video in 2023, while One True Loves was adapted as a feature starring Phillipa Soo, Simu Liu, and Luke Bracey.