Podcast Summary: "Why Hollywood Needs Books More Than Ever"

The Town with Matthew Belloni (The Ringer)
Episode Date: April 1, 2026
Guest: Jason Richmond, Partner and Co-Head of Media Rights at UTA

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Matthew Belloni explores the surging importance of book adaptations within Hollywood, particularly as studios look beyond superhero franchises and branded IPs. Jason Richmond, a leading agent specializing in media rights at UTA, provides an insider's look at the rapidly evolving landscape—where books, memoirs, articles, and even TikTok stories become sought-after source material for film and TV. The discussion covers current market trends, hot genres and authors, the economics and pitfalls of options, and practical guidance for writers hoping to see their work on screen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Book-to-Screen Pipeline’s "White Hot" Moment

• Belloni introduces the trend: Four of the biggest box office movies are book adaptations, signaling renewed industry focus on book-based IP (00:35).
• Richmond’s perspective:

  “Literary adaptations are hot. They're white hot right now.” (03:28 - Jason Richmond)

• Book adaptations offer both a pre-branded audience and a semblance of originality, critical as studios move away from toy brands and comic books (03:33).

2. How the Rights Market Works Today

• The "media rights" department at agencies now covers everything from books to podcasts and social media stories, reflecting broader sourcing for Hollywood (04:03).
• Books with even a whiff of market heat are often optioned before publication; sometimes, even before completion (06:16).
• Producers monitor book proposals, NYT columns, and early press for potential; the agent’s job is “to have so much conviction as we’re reading things so early, before they become a number one New York Times bestseller.” (05:19 - Richmond)

3. How Early do Adaptations Start?

• Projects may sell from just a proposal—citing "Hidden Figures" as an example that sold before the manuscript was completed (06:51).
• Example: “[White Smoke’s] almost Ocean’s Eleven in the Vatican.” (08:01 - Richmond)

4. Money Talks—What’s a Book Worth?

• Belloni presses for numbers; Richmond avoids specifics but admits it’s a wide range.

  “It's such a spectrum…our goal is to get it made, not just…continue optioning books until the cows come home.” (10:02 - Richmond)

• Options often happen just before publication; if you wait until reviews, you've probably missed the early window (08:54).

5. The Role of Scouts, Relationships, and the Volume Game

• Every studio/production company has book scouts out hunting for material (09:47).
• Volume game: “If you’re a producer, you’re just trying to scour and find whatever you can to option, and then it’s like playing the lottery.” (08:07 - Belloni)
• Legendary producers used to rely on deep publishing relationships to get early looks; today, it's more institutionalized but still relationship-driven (09:17).

6. Fiction vs. Nonfiction and Journalistic Sources

• Nonfiction is still desirable, but the environment for journalists has shifted—publications now try to keep derivative rights or profit from adaptations (10:27–11:55).
• Some journalists retain rights, enabling fruitful adaptation deals; “those opportunities still do exist.” (11:55 - Richmond)
• Reverse-engineering IP: Producers sometimes try to validate or inspire true stories by hiring journalists to investigate—regardless of outcome (12:13–13:39).

  “It didn’t really matter to the producer whether it was true or false. Just the notion of the investigation was enough.” (12:53 - Belloni)

7. What Genres & Authors Are Hot?

Hot Genres Now

• Memoir is the genre of the year (05:19).
• Heist thrillers (e.g., "White Smoke"), domestic and erotic thrillers (post-"Housemaid"), and global action franchises are trending (23:37, 24:33).
• Nonfiction and narrative journalism remain solid, especially stories with high-stakes, unique worldbuilding, or global reach (10:27–12:13).

Power Rankings: Today’s Top Authors (15:13–16:09)

• Stephen King: Still adapts prolifically.
• Harlan Coben: Large output, frequent local/global series.
• Michael Connelly: (Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch) Solid contender.
• Colleen Hoover: Dominant force in movie adaptations (“Reminders of Him”, “Verity”).
• Ellen Hildebrand: ("The Perfect Couple", "The Five-Star Weekend" for Peacock)
• Liane Moriarty: ("Big Little Lies", "Big Little Truths" for HBO)
• Newcomer to watch: Madeline Cash (“Lost Lands”)—predicted by Richmond as big for adaptations in coming years (27:47).

8. Pitfalls & Practical Advice for Authors

• Beware sketchy option deals—red flag: “no right of reversion,” which traps rights even if nothing gets made (17:43 - Richmond).
• Watch out for selling all sequel rights in one go.
• Success stories exist, but most development processes are long, slow, and leave writers “sitting around doing nothing” while decisions are made (14:16).
• Adaptations occasionally happen from books found serendipitously (20:01), but most promising material is quickly “tied up.”

9. Author Involvement: How Much Control?

• Authors almost always lose some control; even with creative approvals built in, the adaptation process can be rough (22:02).
• Famous cases of too much author involvement derailing projects (Jeanette McCurdy’s book, 21:24).
• Top-tier authors (like J.K. Rowling) can demand a bigger say, but most must settle for producer credits, writers' room participation, or “meaningful consultation” rights (22:44).

10. Does Talent Need to Be Attached?

• Projects often get traction when actor/producer-led companies (e.g., Reese Witherspoon, Margot Robbie) attach early, but it’s not always required (25:04–26:33).
• Reese’s book club selection is separate from her company acquiring rights, though her direct advocacy can clinch deals ("Little Fires Everywhere" example, 26:33).

11. The Adaptation Market Is Dynamic and Competitive

• Properties sometimes lapse and can be repositioned for new opportunities (20:53).
• Epic, troubled journeys (e.g., “Devil in the White City”) show just how long some adaptations take—and how restarting is sometimes necessary (20:59–21:24).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Memoirs... we're gonna have a year of the memoir." (05:19 - Jason Richmond)
• "Literary adaptations are hot. They're white hot right now." (03:28 - Jason Richmond)
• "Volume game: If you're a producer, you're just trying to scour and find whatever you can to option, and then it’s like playing the lottery." (08:07 - Matthew Belloni)
• "You lose a semblance of control. You just do." (22:02 - Jason Richmond)
• "I want to find someone who's actually read the book, who understands it, [and] is going to... treat them as a real partner here." (27:24 - Jason Richmond)
• New voice prediction: “There's a novelist named Madeline Cash who I’m obsessed with... I think she's going to be one to watch.” (27:47 - Jason Richmond)

Key Segment Timestamps

• The Case for Books as IP in Today’s Hollywood: 00:35–04:03
• Media Rights: More than Books: 04:03–04:42
• Market for Memoirs and Early Optioning: 05:19–06:51
• Book Proposal Sales & London Book Fair: 06:51–08:07
• Option Pricing and Producer Strategies: 08:54–10:27
• Fiction vs. Nonfiction and Journalistic IP: 10:27–14:16
• Power Rankings: Today’s Hottest Authors: 15:13–16:47
• Pitfalls for Authors Signing Options: 17:09–18:50
• Serendipity and Lapsed Options: 20:01–20:59
• Adaptation Nightmares & Author Control: 21:24–22:44
• The Role of Talent in Securing Deals: 25:04–26:33
• Future Authors to Watch: 27:39–28:09

Tone & Takeaways

Throughout, Belloni and Richmond blend industry realism with enthusiasm for the creative potential of book adaptations. The tone is brisk, slightly irreverent, and inside-baseball—perfect for listeners seeking practical guidance as well as Hollywood gossip and power rankings.

For writers: Control is limited, competition is fierce, and red flags abound—but big breakthroughs still happen.
For producers: Get in early, have real relationships, and consider the volume game, but don’t underestimate the power of a fresh voice or under-exploited material.
For industry watchers: The adaptation game is evolving—books are more relevant than ever, and the business is shifting before our eyes.