Elisabeth Moss to Produce Film Adaptation of Emma Straub’s “American Fantasy”

On June 8, 2026 it was announced that Elisabeth Moss will co-produce a feature-film adaptation of Emma Straub’s novel *American Fantasy* through Love & Squalor Pictures. The book, released by Penguin Random House’s Riverhead imprint on April 7, 2026, quickly became a New York Times bestseller. It follows Annie, a newly divorced woman who boards a 1990s boy-band nostalgia cruise and, after meeting a band member, confronts her past and future. Straub has said the story grew from an advertisement for a New Kids on the Block cruise she saw after her father’s death in 2022 and from conversations with Joey McIntyre facilitated by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

People Magazine

Love & Squalor Pictures, co-founded by Moss and producer Lindsey McManus, will produce the film. Straub will serve as executive producer. Moss is represented by WME, Ocean Avenue, Ribisi Entertainment Group and Hansen Jacobson; Straub is represented by WME.

Variety Magazine

In a joint statement Moss and McManus praised the novel’s candid and humorous look at fan culture, saying they were eager to translate it to film. Straub’s Instagram post highlighted Moss’s instant approval, noting that the book seemed ideal for production.

Variety Magazine

All sources note that no writer, cast, distributor or release date has been announced, leaving the timeline undefined.

People Magazine

Further details on casting and distribution are pending; the film remains optioned by Love & Squalor Pictures.

Variety Magazine

• "Emma’s honest yet humorous portrayal of the humbling experience of being a fan is so rare and genuinely fun to read that we knew we had to find a way to bring it to screen." — Elisabeth Moss and Lindsey McManus, Joint Statement

Variety Magazine

• "Elisabeth Moss has talent spilling out of every one of her pores, and I feel delighted to have been caught in the tractor beam of her gaze. What luck, to have such a tenacious force on the side of this story! I am gobsmacked. Thank you to my fairy godfather, Andy Cohen!" — Emma Straub

Variety Magazine

• "So hunky @bravoandy asks me about my book, and as I describe it, Elisabeth Freaking Moss turns and looks at me with this look on her face, this hmmmm yessss kind of look, and as soon as we finish filming, she pops out of her chair and says, my producing partner is here, your book sounds perfect for us." — Emma Straub

People Magazine

• "What I love about boy bands, whether you're talking about the Monkees, or you're talking about a K-pop band, or you're talking about the Backstreet Boys, the specifics don't matter." — Emma Straub

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