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Anyone who was around cinema in the early 2000s saw Julia Stiles take the romantic comedy genre by storm. 10 Things I Hate About You and Save The Last Dance were staples of any millenial film collection. She always had a certain something that made her stand out from other leads at the time. So it’s exciting to see her now take the directing route, as she embarks on this new path. A first film is tough, as it can really shape how an audience sees the types of films you’re wanting to make. And while I wasn’t a massive fan of the film (check out my review Here) there’s still plenty of potential for Stiles behind the camera.

I was able to speak with Stiles about her directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, and why she chose to adapt a novel for her first feature.

The following contains spoilers for Wish You Were Here, in theaters now.

Wish You Were Here has joined the ranks of popular book-to-screen adaptations and the list of heartbreaking movies. Based on Renee Carlino's novel of the same name, the film follows Charlotte (portrayed by Isabelle Fuhrman) and Adam (played by Mena Massoud) as they meet and form an intense connection. However, their happily ever after is debunked by Charlotte discovering that Adam has been diagnosed with cancer.

In an interview with Cbr, Fuhrman, Massoud and co-star Gabby Kono (who plays Charlotte's friend Helen in addition to serving as a producer on the film) discuss that gut-wrenching plot point and its importance to the story. They talk about forming connections with each other both on and off-screen to bring the audience into their world. Plus, find out why Fuhrman hopes moviegoers don't feel tricked by the film!

Cbr: Isabelle,...

Julia Stiles' directorial debut Wish You Were Here is now playing in theaters and enlists Isabelle Fuhrman as its female protagonist, a familiar face cinephiles might know best from the pair of Orphan films that have been released thus far. Fuhrman can also be spotted in the small but scene-stealing role of Diamond in Kevin Costner's first Horizon installment last year and will continue to shine in the follow-up. MovieWeb recently caught up with Fuhrman amid the release of her new Stiles-helmed romance film, where the acclaimed actress also took time to preview what's to come in Horizon: Chapter 2.

"There's definitely a lot more of [Diamond] in the second film," Fuhrman told us. "I'm really grateful we got to premiere at Venice, and I think they're just, you know, tacking up the horses and figuring out where they want to lead them. So I'm not involved in that in, like,...

With the recent release of Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney continues to revisit its beloved animated classics and breathe new life (or something) into the cherished stories, whether it be a sequel, spinoff, or live-action reboot. Back in 2019, Will Smith filled the shoes of fellow Oscar-winner Robin Williams when he took over the coveted Genie role in Aladdin for an acclaimed live-action take on the hit 1992 film, this time directed by Guy Ritchie. Mena Massoud played the beloved eponymous role and is now starring in a new romantic drama film directed by Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You), Wish You Were Here.

MovieWeb recently caught up with Massoud while he was promoting Wish You Were Here, now in theaters, where the dashing actor took time to say he's "100%" down to tackle a live-action sequel to his hit Disney flick. "That was such a fantastic experience," Massoud told us,...

Julia Stiles dips her toes into the directing world with her adaptation of Renee Carlino's Wish You Were Here. The romantic drama, starring The Orphan's Isabelle Fuhrman and the live-action Aladdin's Mena Massoud, follows the path of The Fault in Our Stars and Me Before You. The film centers a woman who falls into a whirlwind romance with a man who is terminally ill. A month shy of Valentine's Day, the film is out in time for those seeking that tearful experience only a romance about a dying person can provide. The subgenre is a hit for a reason.

Stiles opted for this story to be her directorial debut because the novel was emotionally resonant, and on the surface, I can see why. Films grappling with mortality and the unfairness of true love being cut short always grip the heart. Timing and communication are critical to successful relationships...

Plot: A woman searching for a spark finds a whirlwind night of romance with a man only to discover he is terminally ill and commits to helping him spend his last days living life to the fullest.

Review: It’s always exciting when a veteran actor decides to step behind the camera to make a movie. Years of experience in front of the camera often results in a unique view behind it. I’ve always loved Julia Stiles in front of the camera so it’s great to see her make the leap to directing. Based on Renee Carlino’s book of the same name, Wish You Were Here follows Charlotte (Fuhrman) who is meandering through her young adult life. But when she meets Adam (Massoud), her life is flipped upside down in a way that she doesn’t expect, as he reveals he has a terminal illness.

Just based on that plot,...

Julia Stiles makes her first appearance as director with Wish You Were Here, a romantic drama that balances expected elements with fresh introspection. Based on Renée Carlino’s novel, the film examines love, loss, and self-discovery through Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman), a young woman searching for purpose, and Adam (Mena Massoud), an artist facing terminal illness during their brief romance. Stiles brings genuine warmth to the storytelling.

The film’s structure stands out most. The story moves through scattered vignettes, reflecting how love stays in our memory—brief moments of connection, passion, and vulnerability that pass like dreams. By showing events out of sequence, the film draws attention to what might have happened instead of what did, creating deep feelings about time’s temporary nature.

The film speaks to a generation experiencing uncertainty. Charlotte’s search for direction and Adam’s optimism show the worries of millennials in an often confusing world.

With “Wish You Were Here,” author Renée Carlino provides the blueprint for a romantic drama that could easily be misconstrued as treacly or saccharine. Her novel features a star-crossed love affair, a devastating terminal illness and a young woman caught at a crossroads in her life. Yet instead of fashioning these elements into a mimeographed iteration of “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Dying Young” or pretty much anything from Nicholas Sparks’ oeuvre, director Julia Stiles constructs something fresh. The actor-turned-filmmaker, who co-adapts with Carlino, instills the source material with a clear-eyed sense of emotional authenticity, from its fantastical romanticism to the characters’ delicately-faceted relationship dynamics.

Twentysomething Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) is directionless, waitressing at an unpopular Mexican dive bar with her roommate Helen (Gabby Kono-Abdy). Together the besties are annoyed by the mundanity of their jobs, from fielding ridiculous customer complaints to suffering the indignity of having their service summoned by...

“Wish You Were Here” is a new romantic ‘dramedy’, directed by actress Julia Stiles, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jimmie Fails, Kelsey Grammer and Jennifer Grey, opening January 17, 2025 in theaters:

“…leave the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. Now, when the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, ‘Charlotte’ searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut with Wish You Were Here, which hits limited theaters in 2025 before an anticipated digital and streaming release. The romance movie stars Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan) and Mena Massoud (Aladdin) as Charlotte and Adam, an artistic pair who connect in a unique way after a one-night stand. Wish You Were Here, based on the novel of the same name by author Renee Carlino, features additional talent like Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing) and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).

Wish You Were Here follows artist Charlotte (Fuhrman) as she begins a fling with Adam (Massoud), only to be heartbroken when he suddenly cuts contact. Charlotte eventually discovers that Adam has a terminal illness, and as the two reconnect, she attempts to help him get the most out of his final days. Stiles doubles as director and screenwriter of Wish You Were Here, adapting Carlino's contemporary romance novel to the...

No, you won't hear Pink Floyd's iconic rock song of the same name anywhere in Julia Stiles' feature directorial debut, and you won't see Stiles anywhere in Wish You Were Here, either. Stiles made a unique and shining name for herself with that tough-gal demeanor we all adored in throwback hits like 10 Things I Hate About You, but it does feature a talented little ensemble of other stars that mostly carries this new Lionsgate offering — based off Renée Carlino's acclaimed novel — all the way to the tear-jerking finish line.

Sappy tear-jerkers are hardly dead, from We Live in Time and Someone Like You to It Ends with Us and The Idea of You. Continuing that trend (which might as well be sponsored by Kleenex), you might just find yourself ugly-crying by the end of Wish You Were Here, its somber title alone perhaps striking a chord in the...

Actor Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut with romantic comedy Wish You Were Here. Here, have a trailer and a synopsis.

Julia Stiles made her name in hugely popular films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Down To You, Save the Last Dance and The Prince and Me. She went on to star in indie dramas like The Business of Strangers, before starring opposite Matt Damon in the Bourne franchise. In recent years she has appeared in films like Hustlers and, most recently Heather Graham’s Chosen Family. She has also worked on the small screen, starring in Amazon Original comedy series The Lake.

Now? She makes her directorial debut with romantic drama Wish You Were Here.

The cast for the feature includes Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, wirh Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey and Frasier actor Kelsey Grammer.

Stiles directs from a screenplay she co-wrote with Renée Carlino,...

The official trailer for Julia Stiles’ directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, is here!

The story follows Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) as she struggles to find meaning in her seemingly ordinary life. After an unforgettable night with a stranger ends abruptly, Charlotte’s quest for answers takes her on an emotional adventure that leads to a life-changing revelation.

The film features Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails (The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Gabby Kono-Abdy (Baker’s Dozen),Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer.

Keep reading to find out more…

The upcoming romantic drama, based on the best-selling novel by Renée Carlino, also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Renée. It hits theaters on January 17, 2025, and will be available on digital platforms starting February 4, 2025. Watch the trailer below!

Wish You Were Here Trailer...

“Wish You Were Here” is a new romantic ‘dramedy’, directed by actress Julia Stiles, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jimmie Fails, Kelsey Grammer and Jennifer Grey, opening January 17, 2025 in theaters:

“…leave the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. Now, when the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, ‘Charlotte’ searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

I am starting to question if Lionsgate has an under-the-table deal with Kleenex because, after watching the studio’s Wish You Were Here trailer, I think this movie will make people cry. And not just a little; I’m talking about Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls. Wish You Were Here offers an intimate look at Julia Stiles‘s feature directorial debut. In February, the Golden Globe-nominated actress-turned-filmmaker told Deadline she’s “been looking for years for the right story to tell” as a director, and she’s finally found it with an adaptation of Renee Carlino’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Here’s the official synopsis for Wish You Were Here courtesy of Lionsgate:

“Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in a brilliantly warm and romantic film based on the bestselling novel, Wish You Were Here. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer star in a...

"Do you believe in soulmates?" Lionsgate has revealed the official trailer for a new romantic drama movie titled Wish You Were Here, marking the feature directorial debut of actress Julia Stiles after directing some TV eps previously. This is set for a release in theaters at the end of January 2025 before it's available to watch on VOD after. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Renée Carlino, described as a second chance love story about a young woman who reunites with a soulful artist after their magical one-night stand. A woman searching for a spark finds a whirlwind night of romance with a man only to discover he is terminally ill and commits to helping him spend his last days living life to the fullest. Wish You Were Here stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer. A sweet...

After starring alongside Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence 12 years ago in a beloved romantic comedy, one Silver Linings Playbook star is set to make her directorial debut soon. The first trailer for Wish You Were Here, the upcoming romance drama that will see Julia Stiles step behind the camera for the first time, has been officially released. The film will premiere in theaters on January 17 and has already been set for digital release on February 4. Stiles is also writing the script, which is based on the novel of the same name by Renée Carlino, but she will not star in the film. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer have all been tapped to star in Stiles’ directorial debut.

After starring in hit films ranging from “10 Things I Hate About You” to “The Bourne Identity,” Julia Stiles is ready for the next phase of her artistic career.

The beloved actress makes her directorial debut on the upcoming film “Wish You Were Here,” which explores the way a fleeting romantic connection can start a ripple effect that leads to massive change in an individual’s life.

An official synopsis for the film reads, “When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

“Wish You Were Here” is adapted from Renée Carlino’s 2017 novel of the same name, with Carlino co-writing the script with Stiles. The film stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Grey, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, and Gabby Kono-Abdy.

While “Wish You Were Here” marks Stiles...

Zoe Saldaña is set to receive the Spotlight Award at the 27th annual CDGAs (Costume Designers Guild Awards).

This honor recognizes an actor who embodies a long-lasting dedication to excellence, with particular respect for the impact of costume design. Past Spotlight Award winners include Angela Bassett, Andrew Garfield, Charlize Theron, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, and, this past year, Annette Bening.

“Widely known for powerful roles which captivate audiences, Saldaña can inhabit a costume and make the character come alive no matter how elaborate or otherworldly,” read an official press release. “From Neytiri in the ‘Avatar’ films and Gamora in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ franchise, Saldaña embraces being immersed in her costumes. For those respective roles, Saldaña worked with 2023 Cdga Career Achievement Award honoree Deborah L. Scott and 2017 Excellence in Fantasy Film winner Alexandra Byrne and 2013 Cdga Career Achievement Award honoree Judianna Makovsky.

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to the Showdown Productions feature In Flight, which the company is bringing to sales at the Cannes Film Festival.

From director Bo Youngblood in her debut, the indie thriller is written by John Ierardi and Drew McAnany and stars Tiffany Smith (Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Cristo Fernández and Maria Russell (Jury Duty).

In Flight centers on Claire Reynolds (Tiffany Smith), an overachiever who graduated at the top of her class and an all-star athlete. The night before she takes a dream trip to Paris, her best friend treats her to a bon voyage toast at their favorite bar. She catches the eye of Marco (Cristo Fernández) a mysterious, charming and handsome stranger. That’s the last thing she remembers before waking up on a plane with no recollection of how she got there – and the games begin.

Exclusive: Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress Julia Stiles has wrapped production on her directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, based on the bestseller by Renee Carlino. The cast includes Isabelle Fuhrman (The Novice), Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Jimmie Fails (The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Gabby Kono (Magic Carpet Rides), Jennifer Grey (A Real Pain) and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).

Adapted for the screen by Stiles, the film tells the story of Charlotte, a woman who finds herself in a rut, searching for a spark that seems just out of reach. After she has a whirlwind night of romance and imagining a future with a man named Adam, he ghosts her. But when Charlotte finally discovers that Adam is terminally ill, she helps him spend his last days living life to the fullest.

In a statement to Deadline, Stiles shared that she’s “been looking for years for the right story to tell” as director,...