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Lionsgate Secures Jane Fonda's Film Adaptation of Best-Selling Novel

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lionsgate won a seven-studio bidding war for the film rights to Virginia Evans' The Correspondent.
Jane Fonda will star in the film.
She will produce the film with Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures.
Cat Vasko will adapt the screenplay.
The novel was published in April 2025 and spent 17 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

History

Historical Context

The New York Times launched its Best Sellers list on October 12, 1931, initially covering only New York City. By April 9, 1942, it expanded to a national list, shaping book marketing and consumer behavior. This influence persists today, as seen in Lionsgate's acquisition of Virginia Evans' novel, which spent 17 weeks on the list, highlighting the trend of adapting best-selling literature into films.

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Story summary

Lionsgate won a seven-studio bidding war for the film rights to Virginia Evans' The Correspondent.
Jane Fonda will star in the film.
She will produce the film with Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures.
Cat Vasko will adapt the screenplay.
The novel was published in April 2025 and spent 17 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

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