Julia Stiles Directed a Romance and It Looks Like a Feel-Good Weeper
'Wish You Were Here' will mark Julia Stiles' directorial debut (and she also wrote the script)!
Julia Stiles is making her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of the novel Wish You Were Here, and it looks like the sort of movie that will make you cry in the best way.
In new, first-look images (exclusive to PEOPLE) of the Renée Carlino novel's jump to the big screen, the 10 Things I Hate About You and Save The Last Dance actress and her stellar-looking cast are teasing what looks to be an emotional smorgasbord of beautiful, human moments and cathartic feels.
Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles at swing in a scene from the film '10 Things I Hate About You', 1999.
The shots show off the fantastic and familiar cast, including Stiles' Orphan: First Kill co-star Isabelle Fuhrman, alongside Mena Massoud (Aladdin), the iconic Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing and 2024's A Real Pain) and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier, who also co-starred alongside Stiles in the 2021 film, The God Committee).
The film is—according to the official synopsis "a fascinating movie about leaving the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance."
"When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning," the synopsis continues, "Charlotte (Fuhrman) searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything."
Julia Stiles first worked with Isabelle Fuhrman on Orphan: First Kill.
The film, which wrapped shooting in February 2023, was a passion project for Stiles, who stated to PEOPLE that she's long wanted to direct.
"I've been wanting to direct my own movie for a while, and finally found it with this," she shared, adding that she knew she wanted this to be her first project when reading the source material, "broke my heart—but that good cry where you are laughing through tears, and you're reminded how amazing life can be."
Julia Stiles as thee Aspirational Millennial Queen, Kat Stratford, in 10 Things I Hate About You.
Given that Stiles is no stranger to romance—or being on set in the 63 or so projects she's been in over the course of her impressive career—it's exciting to see her take the leap to the director's chair.
Wish You Were Here will hit theaters on January 17, 2025. The PG-13 film also stars Jimmie Fails and Gabby Kono-Abdy, and the screenplay was written by by Stiles and Carlino—we love a woman who wears many hats!
