While The Sun’s source said Harry and Meghan had bought the rights to a novel with content similar to their real-life love story with the intention of turning it into a movie, Page Six reported that Netflix was the one. Spend millions of dollars to help the Sussex family revive their declining career
On August 5, The Sun quoted its own source to reveal that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had bought the rights to Carley Fortune’s newly released romance novel Meet Me at the Lake to turn it into a movie for Netflix.
Meet Me at the Lake was published in May. In the first week alone, the novel sold 37,000 copies. It was also on The New York Times bestseller list for 6 weeks.
The novel’s content is set in Canada, about a woman in her 30s who lost her mother at a young age after a tragic car accident. During her journey to adulthood, she faced many problems such as mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, postpartum depression… Having gone through many storms, she was finally healed by a beautiful love. .
The book is said to resemble Harry’s life. He also lost his mother in a car accident in Paris in 1997, also used drugs and met Meghan in his 30s when the former actor filmed Suits in Canada.
According to sources, the Sussexes have reached an agreement with publisher Penguin Random House (USA) for nearly 4 million USD.
”The book’s theme appealed to the couple and it was chosen as their first film adaptation with Netflix,” the insider insisted.
This is the royal couple’s latest move to escape in an effort to save their entertainment career, which is in crisis. Not only did they just lose a $20 million contract with Spotify, they also had to face a large-scale double strike in Hollywood.
Currently, the only thing for Harry and Meghan to hold on to is a $100 million deal with Netflix. When they signed the contract in 2020, they were required to produce a lot of content such as documentaries, films, children’s programs… However, the Sussexes have only created one product for Netflix – a documentary. Harry & Meghan , airing late 2022.
In addition to adapting the novel into a film, Harry and Meghan also have other projects. Harry is working on a series of films about the Invictus Games, a sports tournament specifically for wounded soldiers that he set up. Heart of Invictus is scheduled to air at the end of the year.
The red-haired prince is also said to be planning to go to Africa to film a documentary. The topic of this project is unknown.
However, the Sussex family’s ambition to build a foothold in the world’s cinema capital must face cruel realities. Hollywood is almost “frozen” due to a strike of many screenwriters and actors that lasts with an unknown end point. Many people in the industry question how Harry and Meghan will launch the adaptation project in that context.
Some PR experts also wonder why the publisher sold the book rights to the philandering couple. They judge that for such a successful book, it is not difficult to find more experienced producers.
Representatives of the Sussex family, author Carley Fortune and Penguin Random House have not yet confirmed the information. However, Page Six ‘s own source confirmed that Harry and Meghan actually have plans to adapt the film, but they are not the ones paying for the book rights.
According to sources, Netflix spent about 3 million USD to buy the book and assigned it to Archewell Productions, the Sussex family’s company, to produce. The new agreement was signed within a few weeks.
Netflix has not commented on the above information. But if true, this move by the streaming giant further strengthens the strong partnership between the company and Harry and Meghan. Despite the scandal, Netflix seems to believe in the potential of its $100 million partner.
Along with Netflix, Meghan and Harry also have the support of other forces. In May, Meghan signed a contract with the talent management company William Morris Endeavor (WME) of Ari Emanuel – a leading Hollywood agent. It is unclear how WME plans to develop the Duchess, but it is unlikely that the beauty born in 1981 will return to acting. In addition, Ari also does not interfere in the business relationship between the Sussexes and Netflix.