Amazon MGM Studios has officially set May 15, 2026, as the release date for its highly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller novel, Verity. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, Ismael Cruz Córdova, and Brady Wagner.
A Counter-Programming Move
The studio’s decision to release Verity in mid-May is seen as a strategic counter-programming move, as that month is dominated by male-skewing tentpole blockbusters like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday. Verity, with its thriller and mystery-driven narrative, is expected to appeal to a different audience, particularly fans of psychological suspense and Hoover’s devoted readership.
Plot and Adaptation
Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to complete a book series for Verity Crawford (played by Hathaway), a bestselling author who has suffered a mysterious accident. However, as Lowen delves deeper into the author’s unfinished manuscript, she uncovers dark secrets that suggest Verity’s accident may not have been an accident after all.
The film will be directed by Michael Showalter, known for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, while the script is penned by Nick Antosca, with contributions from Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna, and the team of Will Honley and April Maguire.
A Stellar Production Team
The film is being produced by an experienced team, including Antosca and Alex Hedlund for Eat the Cat, Showalter and Jordana Mollick for Semi-Formal Productions, Hathaway for Somewhere Pictures, Hoover for Heartbones Entertainment, and Stacey Sher for Shiny Penny. Lauren Levine serves as an executive producer under Heartbones Entertainment.
Hoover’s Expanding Cinematic Universe
Colleen Hoover’s books have gained significant popularity in Hollywood. Her novel It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar, was a major box office success, despite recent legal disputes surrounding its adaptation. Additionally, another Hoover novel, Regretting You, is currently being adapted as an indie film, featuring Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, and Mason Thames.
Verity was initially self-published by Hoover in 2018 before being acquired by Grand Central Publishing in 2021, where it went on to become a New York Times bestseller.
Director-Actor Reunion
This film marks a reunion between Michael Showalter and Anne Hathaway, who previously worked together on Amazon MGM Studios’ The Idea of You, which co-starred Nicholas Galitzine. Showalter’s production banner, Semi-Formal Productions, also has a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios, further solidifying his creative collaboration with the company.
With a gripping psychological thriller plot, a high-profile cast, and an experienced creative team, Verity is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing literary adaptations in recent years. As Hoover’s works continue to captivate audiences, Verity may well be another major hit when it lands in theaters in May 2026.
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