Netflix Nabs Amy Sherman-Palladino’s ‘Eloise’ Adaptation Starring Ryan Reynolds and Mae Schenk
The “Eloise” book series, which consists of five novels altogether, has been entertaining children (and precocious grownups) with the escapades of its titular young protagonist for nearly 70 years. In that time, however, these books have gotten a total of four (by a rather liberal count) screen adaptations. Now, Netflix will be responsible for the fifth one, a live-action feature-length film for which they have cast an established comedic star and a first-time child actor.
The “Eloise” Franchise – An Overview
“Eloise” is a series of children’s novels written by Kay Thompson (1909-1998) and illustrated by Hilary Knight (1926-). Its titular character is a scampish little girl who lives on the top floor of New York City’s Plaza Hotel with her nanny, her pug, and her pet turtle.
The first book in the series, originally called “Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grownups,” was published in 1955 and adapted the following year into a 90-minute episode of the anthology TV series “Playhouse 90.” Three subsequent books, titled “Eloise in Paris,” “ at Christmas,” and “ in Moscow,” were published later in the 1950s, while the final book, “Eloise Takes a Bawth,” was published posthumously in 2002.
The first two – and thus far only – feature-length film adaptations of the books, “Eloise at the Plaza” (an adaptation of the original novel) and “Eloise at Christmastime,” both premiered on television in 2003, and an animated series ran for about a month in 2006.
In the late aughts, two more adaptations were planned: “Eloise in Paris” and a direct-to-video feature called “Eloise in Africa.” (Was Moscow somehow a less appealing setting in 2009 than it was at the height of the Cold War?) The former would have starred Jordana Beatty and Uma Thurman; after it entered development hell, Thurman sued (and ultimately settled with) the production company, HandMade Films, for neglecting to provide her pay-or-play fee. “Eloise in Africa” likewise never came to fruition.
An Accomplished Crew and Cast – with One Young Newcomer
Netflix’s forthcoming adaptation will be directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, a six-time Emmy Award-winning creator responsible for several dramedy series, including the aughts’ “Gilmore Girls” and the more recent “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” She is also the co-screenwriter for this project, alongside “Turtles All the Way Down” director Hannah Marks and Linda Woolverton, a writer whose credits include some of the most iconic films of the Disney Renaissance.
The titular character herself will be played by Mae Schenk, a child actor who will be making her acting debut, and who reportedly won over the film’s producers the moment she came in to audition. Via Variety, co-producers Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau said, “When Amy introduced us to Mae Schenk, we knew instantly she was Eloise. She’s got the spark, the wit, and just the right amount of mischief. We’re so excited to introduce her to the world with our friends at MRC and Netflix.”
Ryan Reynolds (who is another co-producer on the film, and indeed owns Fox’s and Pariseau’s production company, Maximum Effort) has been cast in another prominent role as an “original villainous character,” about whom no further details have yet been revealed. Reynolds is known for his comedic roles, including his iconic starring role as the titular lead of the uniquely humor-filled “Deadpool” Marvel films. His role in “Eloise” may be darker than most, but it’s hard to imagine that such a family-friendly production won’t afford him any opportunities for levity.
Which Book Will it Adapt?
This film will not be a direct adaptation of any of the “Eloise” novels. A recent Tudum article describes it as “a wholly original adventure based on the beloved children’s book series,” and Netflix is remaining far too coy to disclose so much as a logline. Production will commence in London later in November 2025.
