The Nightingale Movie Release Announcement
TriStar Pictures has officially revived the much-anticipated film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel, The Nightingale, setting a release date for February 12, 2027. This film promises to bring to life the gripping story of survival and resilience during World War II.
TriStar Revives ‘The Nightingale’ for 2027 Release
EXCLUSIVE: TriStar has announced a new release date of February 12, 2027, for The Nightingale, its eagerly awaited adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s globally bestselling historical fiction novel. After a period of uncertainty during the pandemic, the project has regained momentum with To Leslie‘s Michael Morris at the helm.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Team
Dakota and Elle Fanning are set to star and produce, marking their first on-screen collaboration after being attached to the project since 2019. The screenplay is penned by Dana Stevens (The Woman King), with Elizabeth Cantillon producing for The Cantillon Company, alongside the Fannings and Brittany Kahane Ward for Lewellen Pictures, and Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine. Nicole Brown and Shary Shirazi are overseeing the project for TriStar Pictures.
Strategic Release Date
The February 12, 2027, release date is strategically chosen to coincide with a significant event weekend, featuring Valentine’s Day on Sunday and President’s Day on Monday. Additionally, February 14 is Super Bowl Sunday, presenting an opportunity to counterprogram with a film that has a substantial built-in fanbase. The Nightingale is poised to be the first major female-focused title of the year.
About the Book
Having sold over 11 million copies worldwide since its 2015 release and translated into 45 languages, The Nightingale narrates the gripping tale of two sisters who embark on perilous journeys during World War II, fighting for survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied France.
Critical Acclaim and Popularity
The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list, maintaining a presence on the list for 165 weeks across various formats, dominating NPR’s fiction chart for 45 weeks, and being selected as a Reese’s Book Club Pick. A special 10th Anniversary Edition achieved No. 2 on the NYT hardcover list in March 2025, with a million copies sold already this year.
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Long Journey to the Screen
The Nightingale has experienced a lengthy journey to the screen, beginning with TriStar securing film rights in 2015, with Ann Peacock attached to write and Cantillon producing. Subsequent iterations saw writer-director Michelle MacLaren and co-writer John Sayles involved, with the Fannings initially cast in a version directed by Mélanie Laurent. However, the Covid pandemic caused significant delays, leading to Laurent stepping back for other commitments.
Michael Morris: A Promising Director
Michael Morris, a two-time Emmy nominee known for directing acclaimed series like Better Call Saul and 13 Reasons Why, directed Andrea Riseborough to her first Oscar nomination with his debut feature, To Leslie. His follow-up project, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, received acclaim and surpassed $100 million globally, premiering on Peacock in the U.S. He is represented by UTA and attorney Erik Hyman at Paul Hastings.
Upcoming Projects for the Fannings
Dakota Fanning will soon star opposite Sarah Snook in Peacock’s upcoming series All Her Fault. Elle Fanning is set to appear in dual roles in Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands, releasing on November 7, and will star alongside Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgard in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which won Cannes’ Grand Prix and is releasing in limited theaters via Neon on the same day.
The Fannings are represented by UTA, TFC Management, and HJTH. Hannah is represented by CAA and Jane Rotrosen Agency.
