Following a bidding war, Paramount Pictures has reportedly acquired The Midnight Library for around $36 million, beating Focus Features and Sony for the rights.

The adaptation of the best-selling novel starring and produced by Florence Pugh is backed by StudioCanal, which will distribute the film in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with Paramount distributing for the rest of the world.

The film is set to be directed by Garth Davis (Lion) and is based on Matt Haig’s 2020 novel, sold over 15 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 56 languages. The book was adapted for the screen by Olivier Award winner Laura Wade (Rivals) and Tony nominee Nick Payne (We Live in Time).

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This is not the first collaboration between Davis and Pugh, as the pair recently worked together on the upcoming mini-series adaptation of East of Eden for Netflix. With Davis saying, “I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Florence Pugh on The Midnight Library. Her warmth and talent are magical, and together, I know we’ll do something special working with Matt’s iconic novel. This is a story that moves us both — a celebration of life in all its possibility and complexity. With Graham Broadbent, Blueprint Pictures and Studiocanal behind us, I can’t wait to illuminate this adventure.”

Pugh is leading as Nora Seed, who, after reaching a breaking point in her life, finds herself in a mystical library that allows her to explore the infinite versions of her life and discover what truly makes it worth living.

The project is the biggest deal out of this year’s Cannes film market and will enter pre-production this Autumn ahead of filming in 2027. Haig is set to serve as executive producer alongside Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, Dan MacRae, Ben Knight and Diarmuid McKeown. With Pugh, Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, and Anita Overland serving as producers.

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