‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ Is Becoming a Movie and the Lead Roles Were Just Announced

From The Pioneer Woman

There are few books that grasp the euphoric highs, painful lows, and everything in between of young adulthood quite like Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. If you stayed up way past your bedtime devouring this 1970 classic, then you’ll be thrilled to hear that Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is officially being turned into a movie.

Although it’s been fifty years (!!) since the book was released, this coming-of-age story is undoubtedly timeless as it navigates the confusing and even isolating years of puberty. Up until now, the 83-year-old novelist has avoided signing over the rights to her most famous work, despite plenty of offers to recreate Are You There God? for the big screen.

After so much time, her approval must mean that this film version is a special project for the author. When working on the deal in 2018, Judy wrote on Twitter that, "I think the time has come." We couldn’t be more excited!

When does the Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret movie come out?

Although it doesn’t have an official release date yet, filming is expected to begin this April. Kelly Fremon Craig who created the 2016 coming-of-age drama The Edge of Seventeen is writing and directing the movie while James L. Brooks of Terms of Endearment will be producing. And get this—Judy herself is coming on as a producer as well!

"I'm a gut-feeling kind of person, and I fell in love with them both," the author told Entertainment Weekly, about why she decided to approve the adaptation. "This is a team who cares about the book and understands it—I thought, let's do this while I'm still around to enjoy it."

So you can rest assured knowing that Margaret’s story is in good hands!

Who’s in the cast?

Lionsgate just announced who will be playing the two central characters, Margaret Simon and her mom Barbara.

Rachel McAdams will be coming on as Barbara Simon while Abby Ryder Fortson will portray Margaret.

No stranger to adaptations, Rachel has starred in popular book-to-film projects including The Notebook, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Mean Girls. And any Marvel fans will recognize Abby as Scott Lang’s daughter in Ant-Man.

What’s the book about?

If you didn’t grow up on this de facto adolescence survival guide, it’s never too late to give it a read. Everyone can enjoy this story and find themselves in it, regardless of your age.

The award-winning book follows sixth-grade Margaret Simon as her family moves from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. Margaret, whose parents are Christian and Jewish, has been raised without an affiliation to one faith and thus goes on a quest to explore her religious identity. Along the way, she faces common tween struggles including insecurity, crushes, and clashes with her parents. Throughout the novel, she consults with God about these universal issues in an endearing and honest way.

So what do you think: Will you watch? Let us know in the comments!