In the same way Mister Rogers had a moment a few years ago, it’s about to be author Judy Blume’s turn back into the spotlight. Later this month at Sundance will see the premiere of the documentary Judy Blume Forever, which has already been acquired by Amazon. And today marks the debut of the trailer for Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, an adaptation of Blume’s classic coming-of-age story.
Starring Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates, the story follows 11-year-old Margaret, whose humorous journey of self-discovery has been beloved by millions since the novel was first published in 1970.
Here’s the official synopsis: 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, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), based on the book by Judy Blume, and produced by Gracie Films’ Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks (Best Picture, 1983 – Terms of Endearment), alongside Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La’auli Porter, and executive produced by Jonathan McCoy.
If Fortson looks familiar, you might recognize her as Cassie Lang in Marvel’s Ant-Man and its sequel, Ant-Man & the Wasp.
There couldn’t be a better filmmaker to bring this story to the screen, either. Writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig earned accolades in 2016 for teen dramedy The Edge of Seventeen, a film that helped turn Hailee Steinfeld into a star. Could she do the same for Fortson now?
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret opens in theaters on April 28th.
