Anne Hathaway is returning to the world of "Ella Enchanted" as an executive producer on a television adaptation in development at Disney+. The streamer has acquired the project through a collaboration between Miramax and Paramount TV Studios, marking a new chapter for the 2004 film that launched Hathaway's career into the mainstream.
Ilana Wolpert, who worked on the comedy series "Anyone But You," serves as the writer and showrunner for the series adaptation. The project transforms Gail Carson Levine's 1997 novel into a serialized format, departing from the romantic comedy-fantasy tone of the original film while potentially deepening the story's themes around agency and self-determination.
Hathaway's involvement signals Disney's confidence in mining its vault of legacy properties for streaming content. The actress has become increasingly selective with her projects since the film's release, focusing on prestige dramas and character-driven roles. Her executive producer credit suggests active creative involvement rather than a simple vanity attachment, positioning her as a custodian of her early work.
The move reflects Disney's broader strategy of leveraging Miramax's catalog, a division the company acquired in 2010. Converting theatrical properties into limited series or streaming shows has become standard practice across the industry, with varying degrees of success. Projects like "Willow" (Paramount+) and "Godmother" demonstrate the industry's appetite for reviving established IP with new audiences and fresh storytelling approaches.
Wolpert's selection indicates the series will likely balance the original film's whimsy with contemporary sensibilities around female empowerment. The "Ella Enchanted" property carries particular value given its cult following among millennial audiences who grew up with Hathaway's performance and the film's distinctive visual style.
The project remains in early development, with no casting announcements or production timeline confirmed. Success depends partly on whether Disney can capture the franchise's charm while justifying its expansion into episodic television.