A live-action film adaptation of Mariko Tamaki’s graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me is in the works from 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman, who is set to direct and produce. The Laura Dean adaptation will mark Dorfman’s second time directing with I Wish You All the Best (starring Alexandra Daddario, Cole Sprouse, My Life With the Walter Boys actor Corey Fogelmanis, and Little Fires Everywhere actress Lexi Underwood) currently in post-production. Dorfman is best recognized for her role as Ryan Shaver in 13 Reasons Why, yet she also starred in American Princess, Jane the Virgin, and Insatiable.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me is a bittersweet story about the ups and downs of adolescent romance, and the often painful (yet freeing) journey to self-discovery and self-love. The synopsis reads as follows:
“Laura Dean is the most popular girl in school and Frederica ‘Freddie’ Riley’s dream girl. She has it all: charm, confidence, and charisma. But there’s one problem… Laura Dean keeps breaking up with her. The story follows Freddie’s journey to finding the courage to end her toxic relationship and regain her self-love, with the help of her best friends and a psychic.”
Tamaki is quite a success in the comic world, having written for dueling powerhouses Marvel and DC. As Deadline reports, she serves as the story editor for the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters — a role she also took on for Disney+’s Goosebumps adaptation. Both Laura Dean and the upcoming I Wish You All the Best focus on giving a voice to queer individuals and the unique and diverse experiences that define LGBTQ+ members of society who boast differing degrees of intersectionality.
Tamaki is also known for her graphic novels Skim, Emiko Superstar, and This One Summer. The Canadian writer and performance artist (appearing on stage with Keith Cole’s Cheap Queers and in the group Pretty Porky & Pissed Off) has twice been named a runner-up for the Michael L. Printz Award, which is the American Library Association literary award that annually recognizes the “best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit.”
Wildling Pictures and MXN Entertainment will co-produce the film with a script from author Tamaki. The romantic comedy also has Matt Code, Mason Novick, Michelle Knudsen, Natalie Urquhart, and Julie Strifler serving as co-producers. Speaking about the upcoming project, Dorfman shared:
“Mariko’s script adaptation is just as groundbreaking as her deeply moving graphic novel…This film is like the lovechild of John Hughes and Jamie Babbett with a fresh and honest perspective on love and queer chosen family. Reading the script for the first time, I was transported into the layered world she created and I can’t wait to bring this story to life for everybody to enjoy.”
Dorfman is definitely not afraid to hype this film up, setting some rather high expectations by comparing it to the works of the genius behind The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.
With 3.9/5 stars on GoodReads, the original graphic novel boasts a GoodReads Choice Award and was nominated for Best Graphic Novel in 2019. Many reviewers praise the artwork and complex characters as the graphic novel’s strongest qualities. The takeaways are rather consistent: it’s beautiful but tragic. Heartbreaking and cry-on-your-pillow tearjerking, but ultimately inspiring.
With the news recently surfacing, casting remains undisclosed, and a release date has yet to be confirmed. Be sure to check back with Thought Catalog for future updates surrounding the Dorfman-helmed Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me.
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