Sadie Sink is in negotiations to headline a film version of Emma Cline's novel The Guest, according to Deadline, as summarized by Vulture. She would play Alex, the title character, in a project that would be written and directed by Lorene Scafaria.
The deal is not final. Vulture noted that the package depends on everything coming together, and that A24 and Square Peg Productions are now in "exclusive negotiations" for the rights.
The Story and the Players
In the novel, Alex is a young woman who is ejected from her older boyfriend's home and then drifts through a wealthy summer enclave. Each night she hunts for somewhere to sleep and a party to get into. Vulture described the book as the unofficial book of the summer in 2023.
Scafaria is best known for her Emmy-nominated work on Succession and for Hustlers, Vulture said. Square Peg is the company run by Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen, and it recently produced Bugonia and The Drama. Deadline reported that a dozen other potential buyers were in the running before this team prevailed.
Why It Matters
Sink comes off a run of very large mainstream projects, including Stranger Things and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Her résumé also includes The Whale, opposite Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, and a Tony nomination for John Proctor Is the Villain. Vulture framed the move as a return to prestige material.
The pairing makes sense on paper. Scafaria has a record of telling stories about scammers and the ultra-rich, and Sink brings fresh momentum from her Spider-Man role. Vulture suggested that combination likely helped the package win out over its competition. Next up is a finalized deal.
Reporting sources: Vulture, “Sadie Sink Heads for the Hamptons”.