Edith Wharton’s literary legacy continues to shine long after her death. Studiocanal just announced that it has acquired the rights to produce the first feature film adaptation of Edith Wharton’s The Custom of the Country.
Previous attempts to adapt The Custom of the Country novel for TV have failed. The book is considered difficult to adapt due to its complex narrative. Apple TV+ and Sofia Coppola initially tried to develop the book into a TV series. However, the proposed $200 million budget was deemed too expensive.
If Studiocanal succeeds, it will be a big feat. The project will most likely be one of Edith Wharton’s notable adaptations, joining The Buccaneers, The Glimpses of the Moon, The House of Mirth, and many others.
Edith Wharton is known for her elegant prose, sharp social commentary, and her ability to blend irony and realism in her works. She is the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Age of Innocence, which is also being adapted into a Netflix series. She is a foundational figure in American literature.
This is why Hollywood is always trying to bring some of her best work to life. All eyes are now on Studiocanal, waiting to see how the movie will translate to the big screen, given that many filmmakers have struggled to adapt the novel successfully to the screen.
What will be the Plot of The Custom of the Country Movie?
The movie will heavily rely on the source material and tell the story of the beautiful yet ambitious Undine Spragg. It will follow her as she seeks to climb the ranks in the early 20th-century New York and Parisian high society.
Here is the official logline: “A fiercely ambitious Midwestern woman, Undine Spragg, uses her beauty, daring, and sheer will to battle the entrenched elite of turn-of-the-century New York society, navigating love and fortune to ascend the social ladder.”
Many fans are eager to see whether the series can depict the narcissistic nature of Undine. Part of the reason why it has been hard to adapt the book is because of the unlikable antagonist. Undine is not the usual heroine that audiences cheer for. Her one-dimensional personality makes it challenging to have a riveting screen presence.
Given that the movie will follow Undine’s life, we can expect beautiful cinematography across the various locations mentioned in the book.
If you haven’t yet read the book, here’s the synopsis from Goodreads so you know exactly what to expect from the book and the upcoming movie:
Considered by many to be her masterpiece, Edith Wharton’s epic work is a scathing yet personal examination of the exploits and follies of the modern upper class.
Undine Spragg is beautiful—anyone in New York will admit to as much. But what is the point of beauty if no one can see you?
The Spraggs left the Midwest in search of a glamorous life for their daughter. Now, cooped up in a gilded uptown hotel they can barely afford, they begin to fear their move to the big city was for naught. But Undine is determined. And Undine always gets her way.
What follows is a tactical climb to the pinnacle of affluence and early 20th-century high society that will amaze and mortify.
Casting & Production Updates:
It was recently announced that Sydney Sweeney will be playing the lead role of Undine Spraggs in the film adaptation. Sweeney has been getting polarising criticism for her latest film, The Housemaid. The news of her involvement in this project has been well-received, and fans are anticipating her performance.
In the meantime, casting director Nina Gold is already on the hunt to find the perfect support ensemble for the project. Unfortunately, no further casting news has been announced.
The Custom of the Country Movie Release Date:
The movie is still in pre-production. There has been no official release date or casting calls. This is a periodical feature film, so it will be a while before it debuts on our screens.
So far, we only know that Studiocanal is leaning toward a strategic global release focused on major markets such as the US, France, Australia, the UK, Germany, Poland, New Zealand, and Benelux.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
Yes! For starters, this is a classic! It is one of Edith Wharton’s critically acclaimed books. As far as romantic period books are concerned, The Custom of the Country is considered a refreshing masterpiece.
In this book, Edith takes a different approach by creating a witty, morally ambiguous antihero. The satire and social commentary on the nouveau riche are top-tier.
Although the book was released in 1913, it resonates with the modern influencer era, and its themes of obsession and consumerism remain relevant to our society.
More Book Adaptations: