Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is set to headline and produce a major big‑screen adaptation of Edith Wharton’s celebrated classic The Custom of the Country, igniting fresh buzz in the film world. Principal photography is slated to begin soon, making this one of 2026’s most anticipated literary‑to‑film transformations.
🎬 A New Take on a Literary Masterpiece
The feature film reinvents Wharton’s 1913 novel — a story of ruthless ambition, mesmerizing charm and societal ambition in turn‑of‑the‑century America. At its heart is Undine Spragg, portrayed by Sweeney, a young woman from the Midwest who stops at nothing to climb New York’s social ladder.
Director and screenwriter Josie Rourke (Mary Queen of Scots) describes Undine as “the original dangerous woman,” a figure whose complexity has captivated readers for over a century. Rourke says the role seemed written specifically for Sweeney, blending charisma and audacity in a performance that promises to be unforgettable.
🌍 Behind the Scenes: Production & Creative Vision
The adaptation is being produced in partnership with StudioCanal and Rabbit’s Foot Films. Sweeney joins forces with producers Charles Finch and Alison Owen, with StudioCanal financing the project and set to release it theatrically across international markets — including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Benelux regions.
Casting director Nina Gold is actively assembling the supporting ensemble around Sweeney, adding further anticipation to the project.
🎥 Why It Matters: From Page to Screen
This film marks a significant moment in literary adaptations, bringing Wharton’s sharp‑edged commentary on class, gender and ambition to a modern audience. Rourke has emphasized how The Custom of the Country resonates with contemporary themes, despite being written over a century ago — making Sweeney’s portrayal of Undine all the more relevant.
Interestingly, this story almost saw life in another form: renowned filmmaker Sofia Coppola previously explored a miniseries version of the novel, but that project ultimately didn’t move forward.
⭐ What This Means for Sydney Sweeney
Fresh off her success in The Housemaid — a thriller that grossed hundreds of millions worldwide — Sweeney is not just starring in this adaptation but shaping it as a producer, solidifying her role as a rising force both in front of and behind the camera.