Beastly: The Book Behind the Movie

Mary-Kate’s latest project, Beastly is based on the best-selling YA book by Alex Flinn of the same name. The book updates the traditional fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and puts it in modern-day New York. The book is inspired by the many different tellings of Beauty and the Beast – not just the Disney version! – so it may be a bit different than we’re used to.

Kyle Kingsbury is the popular kid at school, who becomes cursed when he plays a practical joke on Kendra, a girl in his class. (Mary-Kate is playing Kendra). To get back at him, Kendra places a spell on Kyle – he will be turned into a beast and must find true love within two years or be a beast forever. He eventually convinces a burglar to bring his daughter to him in exchange for freedom and this girl is the beast’s last hope.

What makes the book unique is that it tells the story of Beauty and the Beast from the beast’s point of view. Beastly was well received by readers and critics alike, winning several YA awards and topping many reading lists.

Alex Flinn is a popular YA author who has written six books including Breathing Underwater, Nothing to Lose and Fade to Black.

Neil Patrick Harris has signed on to the movie to play Kyle’s blind tutor, Will. I’m getting more excited by this movie by the day. Neil atrick Harris and Mary-Kate Olsen in a movie together? Bring it on.

The movie is expected to be in theaters next summer.

Image: Amazon