Toni Collette to turn director with movie adaptation of Writers & Lovers

Actor Toni Collette will be making her directorial debut with the big screen-adaptation of author Lily King's 2020 novel, Writers & Lovers.

Variety reports that Collette will write the screenplay with Nick Payne and also executive produce the project through her Vocab Films banner. 

The story centres on Casey Peabody, an underemployed, aspiring writer in 1990's Boston whose world is rocked by a recent love affair and her mother's sudden demise. After she falls for two very different men at the same time, things get complicated. 

In a statement, Collette said, "I have been wanting to direct for quite some time but have been a bit busy with my day job. I couldn't be more thrilled to be bringing Lily King's beautiful, funny, moving novel to filmic life. It's an empowering story that speaks to me as a woman and an artist. It's ultimately about coming to know and believe in oneself. This is not always an easy feat, but the most important journey any person can take. It inspires me on so many levels."

Susannah Grant, Sarah Timberman, Michael Bloom, Maria Zuckerman and Ryan Heller will serve as executive producers.