Full Breakdown
Josh Boone to Direct Sony’s Adaptation of Lynn Painter’s “Fake Skating”
7/31/2026, 12:03:08 AM
Film Announcement and Production Partners
Deadline reports that Sony Pictures, in partnership with Will Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment, has officially green-lit a film adaptation of Lynn Painter’s New York Times bestseller *Fake Skating*. The studio has set a release date of July 16, 2027. Painter confirmed the development on her social-media accounts, noting that the screenplay was written by Morgan Lehmann and Victoria Bata, with director Josh Boone and his writing partner Knate Lee handling subsequent revisions. Production will be overseen by producers Will Gluck and Jacqueline Monetta, with Madison Jones serving as executive producer for Olive Bridge; Painter will also act as an executive producer. Boone is represented by WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole, while Olive Bridge is represented by United Talent Agency (UTA) and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
Source Material’s Commercial Success
The novel, which won the 2025 Goodreads Choice Award, has printed more than 200,000 copies and has appeared on the New York Times YA Hardcover Bestseller list every week since its September 2025 release, occupying the #1 spot for 15 weeks. Deadline notes that the book has been translated into 16 languages, underscoring its global appeal.
Boone’s Recent Adaptation Track Record
Boone previously directed the 2023 adaptation of *The Fault in Our Stars*, a summer-release hit that performed strongly against major tentpoles. His most recent film, *Regretting You* (2024), was based on Colleen Hoover’s bestseller and starred McKenna Grace and Mason Thames. These successes have reinforced Boone’s reputation for translating popular YA titles to the big screen.
Sony’s History with Book Adaptations
Deadline highlights Sony Pictures’ recent box-office achievements with literary adaptations: *It Ends With Us* grossed over $350 million worldwide, *Little Women* exceeded $200 million, and *Where the Crawdads Sing* also performed robustly. The studio’s upcoming slate includes an adaptation of Kristen Hannah’s *The Nightingale* starring Dakota and Elle Fanning.
Market Positioning and Outlook
Industry insiders describe *Fake Skating* as a “perfect summertime movie” aimed at young women, a demographic currently lacking new releases for the 2027 summer season. With a proven director, a best-selling source, and Sony’s adaptation expertise, the project is positioned to replicate the commercial momentum of Boone’s earlier YA adaptations.
