Sometimes a novel is so popular that a film adaptation is almost a certainty. Whether or not those films respect the source material and become massive hits are a whole other discussion. But in the case of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” everything on paper seems to be shaping up really nicely for the upcoming feature.
Based on the massively popular, bestselling novel by Delia Owens, “Where the Crawdads Sing” stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (who broke out in a big way thanks to her role on Hulu’s series, “Normal People”) as a young woman who has known nothing but hardship growing up in North Carolina and finds herself accused of murdering her abusive ex. And now, thanks to Vanity Fair, we get a first look at the new film, which is set to arrive in theaters on July 22.
“The book is a love letter to growing up in the South, which for me really resonated because I grew up in New Orleans and Nashville,” said producer Reese Witherspoon.
‘Crawdads’ is directed by Olivia Newman, who is probably best known for her 2018 SXSW breakout film, “First Match.” And while you wouldn’t necessarily compare the Southern-fried murder mystery of “Where the Crawdad’s Sing” to her film about a young woman fighting for a spot on a wrestling team, as in “First Match,” Newman believes both films have their similarities.
“Both of these movies are about girls who are facing incredible odds, who are growing up in very hostile environments…and discover an incredible skill that helps them survive,” she said.
Joining Edgar-Jones in the cast of ‘Crawdads’ are Harris Dickinson, Taylor John Smith, and David Strathairn. As mentioned, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is set to arrive in theaters, courtesy of Sony, on July 22. You can see the first-look photos below:
