Netflix is bringing another beloved childhood classic to life — and this time, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is trading his superhero suit for something a bit more mischievous. The streamer has officially announced a live-action adaptation of Eloise, based on Kay Thompson’s timeless children’s books, with young newcomer Mae Schenk starring as the titular character and Reynolds playing a brand-new villain created exclusively for the film.
A Fresh Take on a Childhood Icon
The Eloise books, first published in 1955, tell the story of a precocious 6-year-old girl who lives at New York City’s Plaza Hotel, getting into endless adventures (and plenty of trouble) with her loyal dog, Weenie, and her turtle, Skipperdee. The series became a defining part of mid-century children’s literature, celebrated for its humor, wit, and the charming illustrations by Hilary Knight.
While the books inspired two Disney TV movies in the early 2000s — starring Sofia Vassilieva as Eloise and Julie Andrews as her loving nanny — Netflix’s adaptation promises something completely new.
Directed and co-written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the Emmy-winning creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this version is said to feature an original storyline inspired by the world of Eloise rather than a direct retelling of the books.
Ryan Reynolds’ “Mischievous” Turn
Reynolds, whose production company Maximum Effort is also producing the film, is set to portray a villainous character written specifically for this adaptation — a creative choice that has sparked excitement among fans. The actor is known for balancing sharp comedy with heartfelt performances, and his involvement is already generating buzz that Eloise could be one of Netflix’s standout family films.
Netflix teased the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“ELOISE is coming to Netflix. Amy Sherman-Palladino will write and direct a new feature adaptation of the beloved children’s book series starring newcomer Mae Schenk and Ryan Reynolds.”
Behind the Scenes
The long-gestating project has been in development for several years. In fact, the film rights were first secured in 2019 by MRC Films, which is now co-producing alongside Netflix and Maximum Effort.
Hannah Minghella, Netflix’s Head of Feature Animation and Family Films, shared her excitement in a statement:
“Eloise has been beloved for generations, from when she was first published in the 1950s through to today, when no family trip to New York City is complete without a stop at The Plaza. It’s an honor to reintroduce this cherished character to the world with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Ryan Reynolds in this bold, hilarious, and heartfelt new family film.”
MRC Film co-presidents Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler added that the project has been a long time coming:
“We’ve been working with the Thompson estate and Handmade Films for years to bring Eloise to fans everywhere. We’re thrilled to finally partner with Netflix, Amy, and Ryan to make it happen.”
Final Words
With Amy Sherman-Palladino behind the camera, Ryan Reynolds bringing a new kind of villain to life, and a rising young star in Mae Schenk leading the way, Netflix’s Eloise promises to reimagine the classic story for a modern generation.
Equal parts nostalgic and refreshingly new, the film looks poised to capture the whimsical chaos that made Eloise a household name — and if Reynolds’ signature charm is any indication, this adaptation will be anything but ordinary.
