Jessica Chastain discusses her rule of thumb after a viral video shows her refusing to sign a copy of a book she’s not currently attached to for a planned adaptation.
A video that recently received attention TikTok shows Chastain choosing not to sign a copy of author Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2017 novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo while meeting with fans in New York City after a performance of her Broadway revival of A dollhouse. Chastain, who has been the subject of fan-generated campaigns to star as book character Celia St. James, told the fan in the TikTok video, “I can’t sign that just because I don’t.” Chastain remained optimistic in the footage and posed for a selfie with the individual.
“I’ve been asked several times by fans to sign books that I’m not contractually bound to,” said the Oscar winner tweeted Wednesday. “Because it feels wrong, and as if I’m taking credit for someone else’s work, I’ll say I can’t draw because I don’t. That doesn’t mean I read a bad script.”
She added in a sequel tweet, “I know how excited many of you are about adjustments. Please don’t read too much into a video. There is no news about anything. Except that I will be on stage until June 10th. Hope to see you.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Chastain representatives for further comment.
A movie version of the best-selling book is in development at Netflix, starring Liz Tigelaar (Small fires everywhere) who are writing the screenplay, with Jenkins Reid and Margeret Chernin executive producing. Jenkins Reid’s 2019 novel Daisy Jones and the Six was made into an Amazon series starring Riley Keough that launched last month.
During a January appearance on Bravo’s Watch what’s happening live!host Andy Cohen asked Chastain if she knew that many book fans saw her in the Evelyn Hugo movie. “I do know there’s something about it online,” says the George & Tammy actress replied at the time. “Sure, send me a script.”
