Sony Pictures Moves Quickly to Acquire “Hollow,” a New Sleepy Hollow Reimagining Starring Sydney Sweeney

Sony Pictures has agreed to produce “Hollow,” a film adaptation of Lindsey Anderson Beer’s debut novel of the same name. The novel, a contemporary retelling of Washington Irving’s *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow* told from Katrina Van Tassel’s perspective, is slated for publication by Putnam (an imprint of Penguin Random House) in fall 2027. Sony will direct, produce, and adapt the project, with Beer serving as writer-director. Production partners include Beer’s Lab Brew banner, LuckyChap, and Sweeney’s Honey Trap banner, which is launching its first film under President of Production and Development Kaylee McGregor. Sony has also begun casting the iconic roles of Brom Bones and Ichabod Crane, described as “one of the hottest open castings in town.”

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The package was first reported by Deadline last month, and sources say Sony acted “fast and hard” to secure the rights amid competitive interest. The novel’s preemptive deal with Putnam was accompanied by worldwide translation-rights offers that set a “record” for a debut title, according to the reporting.

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• Lindsey Anderson Beer – debut novelist, writer-director of the film, and former writer/director of 2023’s *Pet Sematary: Bloodlines* (Paramount+ record-breaker) and executive producer of *Sierra Burgess Is a Loser* (Netflix No. 1, 2018).

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• Sydney Sweeney – lead actress, represented by Brillstein and Hansen Jacobson; previously starred in and executive-produced Sony’s *Anyone But You* (global box office > $210 million) and led Lionsgate’s *The Housemaid* (global box office ? $400 million).

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• LuckyChap – production company represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and attorney Jeff Bernstein.

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Sweeney’s recent films have generated substantial box-office returns: *Anyone But You* exceeded $210 million worldwide, while *The Housemaid* approached $400 million globally and secured a sequel greenlight. Beer’s *Pet Sematary: Bloodlines* debuted at No. 1 on Paramount+ and broke the platform’s most-watched-film record.

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The rapid acquisition underscores Sony’s willingness to invest in high-concept, genre-blending projects that combine gothic atmosphere with erotic-thriller elements. The involvement of LuckyChap—known for female-driven content—and the first-look deal with Sony suggest a strategic push toward contemporary reinterpretations of classic literature, potentially influencing future studio-talent collaborations and the market for debut-author adaptations.

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