‘After’ Movie: Paramount Acquires Rights To Wattpad Book By Anna Todd

EXCLUSIVE. Paramount Pictures has acquired screen rights to After . a novel by first-time author Anna Todd that has been the breakout hit of Wattpad. the online community of readers and writers where books are published a chapter at a time. Todd’s novel originated as a serialized three-part series that Toronto-based Wattpad says has accumulated more than 1 billion reads.

Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot will produce through their Offspring Entertainment banner. Their credits include the Step Up series to 17 Again, Bedtime Stories, Hairspray, Rock Of Ages and The Last Song. They are currently prepping Mean Moms at New Line.

Todd’s novel is separately booked to be published through the Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books, with the first installment going on sale October 21. Will it become a publishing phenomenon like Twilight or Fifty Shades Of Grey. the latter of which E.L. James first began writing as Twilight fan fiction? It is already a phenomenon in its own right and certainly more brand name recognition than a first-time author whose book is about to be published has any right to expect. That is thanks to Wattpad, which boasts 35 million users who dial in to read fiction, usually on mobile devices. Anyone can publish, and the stories are free and available in 50 languages. The latest development allows the author to actually get paid for all this patronage, something made possible in that those who contribute to the 7-year old site retain copyright ownership.

After follows the love story of Tessa and Harry, and its plot summary sounds reminiscent of Fifty Shades Of Grey. without all that S&M stuff. A happy, optimistic young girl falls in love with a guy with a dark side that is addictive, and their relationship is a rollercoaster ride. The discussion thread on After regularly trends on social platforms like Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, and readers are so devoted they create fan art, videos and music designed to extend the story experience. The same kinds of things happened on those other female-driven books that became movie franchises, so this UTA-brokered deal is potentially a big one.

Said Wattpad General Manager Candice Factor: “After has a massive built-in audience that was cultivated on Wattpad. This deal means millions of fans are one step closer to realizing their dream of seeing After brought to life on the big screen. “Wattpad is a top entertainment destination with thousands of new stories shared every day. We expect to see many more blockbusters and bestsellers emerge from the platform.”

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• on Oct 18, 2014 6:51 am

It does not at all “glorify” rape. It talks about it yes. But not at all glorifies it. Harry’s mother was raped and abused when Harry was little. (In the story not real life) and It’s about time for a movie to come out that talks about rape. It does happen in reality though u may not hear about it all the time. Also if the book is so trashy why read it until the part they talk about rape. so if u have a problem with talking about it then don’t read the book (: i

• on Oct 19, 2014 4:38 pm

First of all, he forces her to have sex and she does the same which makes it rape. Second of all, when she was influenced by alcohol and had sex, her brain couldn’t stimulate what was happening and Harry knows she wants to wait before having sex but still did which makes it rape.

Alex • on Oct 16, 2014 11:02 am

I think you need to do a little bit of research :) there is no rape in the book at all, which you would know if you read it. Also, Hessa’s relationship isn’t abusive. He says a few things that hurt her inside, emotionally, but this happens to everyone on a day-to-day basis. There’s a huge difference between emotional abuse (or any kind of abuse in general) and general hurt.

Additionally, the books didn’t flop on Wattpad and they won’t flop now – did it escape your notice that Anna gathered 1 billion reads?

Please, do some research next time. I sense a bit of jealousy.

• on Oct 16, 2014 4:33 pm

Can I just comment that a lot of you fans always say to do research and to read the book when havhalf of us either read up to a certain point or at one time were fans and also I don’t believe anyone is jealous. It’s someone’s opinion or sometimes a fact so can you guys stop calling us jealous? Thanks.

• on Oct 17, 2014 6:14 am

No more to say you said it all! I agree with you 100%

• on Oct 17, 2014 9:01 am

And Harry does abuse Tessa. Christmas dinner at Ken’s. Ken and Harry get in a fight because Harry tries Ken at his past drinking problem, Anne, Liam, and Tessa are yelling, Karen is off crying in another room. Tessa steps in to break up the fight and Harry, stupid Harold, thinks it’s Liam so he pushes Tessa and she ends up on the floor, wine ruining her white cardigan. It was an an accident, but could still be considered abuse in some people’s eyes. I believe that there was another time where he was grabbing her wrists because he was angry and he was holding onto them tightly and she said “Harry, stop, you’re hurting me” and immediately let go, but it still left bruises. However, I’m not certain on that one because that may have happened in, “Dark”, not “After”. Although, there is no denying that Harry mentally/emotionally abuses, sweet, dear, Tessa Young. But, she loves him anyway.

• on Oct 17, 2014 9:04 am

Don’t get me wrong, I am the biggest #Hessa shipper, EVER, I am in LOVE with After as well as Anna Todd, and One Direction. But there is alcohol abuse, drug abuse, rape, sexual assault, abuse, and many other factors involved in the story. Nobody can get mad at Anna for writing in this because, first of all, freedom of speech. Anna may write what she pleases. Second of all, from what I’ve heard, many aspects in the story were based on Anna’s life. DEAR GOD I HOPE THAT ISN’T TRUE. I am praying for her and her husband if it is! But, if it is, she obviously sees nothing wrong with the things she’s writing. I don’t see why people must say horrible things about After. If they don’t like some of the things presented in the book, they can just stop reading. It’s not fair that someone worked so hard on something to have people say things about it that aren’t true (like the book is bad, it will fail, it has failed) because obviously it has many fans or else we wouldn’t be in this position. All of that aside, I hate to break it to you, but you should probably be the one doing research on your Hessa knowledge

Kaeterene • on Oct 16, 2014 2:45 pm

I really like the book After. One because the girl is definitely real, it also displays a lot of change between characters. The characters vivid and the book is packed with suspense. I personally like it because Theresa displays emotion and is a character you can relate to at times. Don’t forget books than turn into movies don’t follow the book on every detail. This book can come from R to PG-17.

Angie • on Oct 16, 2014 3:50 pm

So. How does Harry S. feel about all of this xD

why? • on Oct 16, 2014 4:29 pm

Like why? Seriously if people could actually go back and really read this bookbook they’d see that it’s not as amazing and there is other amazing authors on Estrada one is actually getting their book published and turned into a movie but wattpad and everyother after fan only focuses on Anna Todd. Maybe you guys would even know that there’s another author who’s book got published and she edited it herself and she is only 16. Wattpad I’m pretty disappointed.

• on Oct 16, 2014 4:45 pm

Harry never physically hurt Tessa but he constantly caused her serious heartache. this book is digusting. it romanticies emotional abouse. losing your virginity in a bet isn’t abusive? of course it is. This book teaches you that no matter how bad someone hurts you, always go back to them. they’re gonna hurt you again and again but always go back to them. and Harry had serious mental issues and took it out on her. that is NOT a healthy relationship.

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