This spring, Judy Blume’s legacy takes center stage with the release of two major film projects: a feature adaptation of her iconic novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and a documentary about her life and impact, Judy Blume Forever. Publishers Weekly spoke with Blume, director Kelly Fremon Craig, and documentary filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok about these highly anticipated releases.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
For Kelly Fremon Craig, adapting Margaret was deeply personal. “Judy was my first literary love,” she explained. “When I discovered the book at age 11, I saw myself in Margaret. It was a lifeline.” Though Blume had long declined offers to adapt the 1970 novel, Fremon Craig’s heartfelt email changed her mind. Impressed by the passion in her message, Blume invited her and producer James L. Brooks to her home in Key West. Convinced they would do justice to the story, Blume agreed to move forward, co-producing the film alongside Brooks. Lionsgate will release the film on April 28.
Writing the screenplay came with high expectations. “At first, every adjustment felt disloyal,” Fremon Craig admitted. But eventually, she focused on staying faithful to the book’s emotional core. The story follows 11-year-old Margaret Simon as she navigates a move from New York to suburban New Jersey, the onset of puberty, and questions of religious identity. Margaret’s internal conversations with God serve as the story’s heart.
The cast, both Blume and Craig agree, is exceptional. Abby Ryder Fortson stars as Margaret, with Rachel McAdams as her mother, Benny Safdie as her father, and Kathy Bates as her spirited grandmother. The film, set firmly in 1970, balances nostalgia with a timeless emotional tone. “I read it in 1990 and thought it was contemporary,” Craig said. “That’s the magic.”
Blume, who visited the Charlotte, N.C., set for five weeks, praised the team’s dedication. She offered few but important notes, including a correction to the now-famous “we must increase our bust” scene. “I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” she said. Though the film wrapped in 2021, release was delayed due to marketing shifts at Lionsgate. Today, Blume says she’s “over the moon” with the result, even claiming it’s better than the book.
Judy Blume Forever
The Amazon Prime documentary Judy Blume Forever, debuting April 21, tells the story of the author’s life and work. Filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok began the project with a heartfelt email. Blume was hesitant at first—concerned about family privacy and the time commitment—but ultimately agreed in 2020. Filming began in 2021.
The film highlights Blume’s literary courage and activism, particularly around censorship. Featuring authors like Jason Reynolds and Jacqueline Woodson, it examines how Blume’s openness inspired a new generation of writers to tell honest stories. Celebrities including Lena Dunham and Molly Ringwald reflect on her influence on their own lives.
The documentary also explores Blume’s deep connection with readers. In the 1980s, she received thousands of letters each month. Some correspondences turned into lifelong friendships, two of which are featured in the film. These letters are now archived at Yale’s Beinecke Library.
Blume’s resurgence on screen isn’t over. Other adaptations in the works include Superfudge (Disney), Forever (Netflix), and Summer Sisters (Peacock). Blume says she now chooses collaborators based on “passion”—and her stories are clearly resonating with a whole new generation of fans.
