Ana de Armas has finally weighed in on the fan-casting frenzy that’s been swirling around Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel became a cultural phenomenon after gaining mᴀssive popularity on BookTok. Set in the golden age of Hollywood, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows a glamorous and secretive starlet as she reflects on her career, her marriages, and her clandestine love story with fellow actress Celia St. James. It’s a complex story of idenтιтy, ambition, and heartbreak, and naturally, readers have strong opinions about who should play Evelyn Hugo on screen.

During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight at CinemaCon, the Ballerina star was asked how she felt about being the internet’s top pick to play the fictional Hollywood icon and if she would be up to playing the part. De Armas offered an optimistic and open response, saying, “I would love that.” Read her full comment below:

I would love that, I think one of the things that I love about acting and my career, is being able to do everything. You have to try all the things you can. You can’t always eat the same thing.

What This Means For Netflix’s Upcoming Adaptation

BookTok’s Dream Casting Might Be Closer Than Ever

Although de Armas’ comments don’t confirm any involvement with Netflix’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo adaptation, they leave the door open for the streamer to join forces with the actor. The fact that de Armas said she “would love” to play the role suggests that the Cuban star is aware of the popular fan casting and is not opposed to it. That, combined with her proven track record of playing emotionally complex and glamorous characters, such as Marilyn Monroe in Netflix’s controversial Blonde, makes her a strong contender should Netflix listen to the book readers and look to cast her as Evelyn Hugo.

This also demonstrates just how invested audiences are in the casting of the Evelyn Hugo adaptation. For many readers, the novel holds deep significance because of its depiction of queer love, family, and idenтιтy. Having an actor like de Armas, who shares Evelyn’s Cuban heritage, would provide a much-wanted layer of authenticity to the story, which readers have been vocal about since the adaptation was announced. With Reid on board as executive producer, there’s reason to believe that the casting decision will likely stay close to the depictions in the book. So far, there has been progress on the project, with Maggie Betts set to direct and co-write the movie.

Our Take On De Armas’ Comment

Evelyn Hugo Deserves A Star Like Ana de Armas

Evelyn Hugo would be an ideal fit for de Armas, and fans will be thrilled to hear that she’d love to take on the role. She has the range to portray the character’s elegance, vulnerability, and ferocity that span decades. Additionally, her willingness to take on challenging, diverse roles that depart from her latest action-packed projects shows that she’s not afraid to dive into something with great emotional weight and cultural significance.

While news regarding the Netflix adaptation has been scarce, aside from the director update, it’s exciting to see that one of the internet’s most-wanted castings for the main character is a real possibility. As fans wait for the streamer to officially announce the cast and the beginning of production, the desire for de Armas to star in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo continues to grow every day.

Source: ET