The Cast of Netflix's adaptation of Better Than the Movies has been revealed

After years of building its own cast on BookTok, Better Than the Movies has finally found its real Liz and Wes.

According to Deadline, Netflix has selected Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono for the lead roles in Lynn Painter's bestselling romantic comedy following an extensive casting search. Kitsos will play Liz Buxbaum, who centers her life around romantic comedies, while Iacono will portray her childhood neighbor Wes Bennett, with whom she has had a rivalry since they were kids.

Fans' picks really made it to the cast

The two roles were heavily discussed on social media while the adaptation was still in development. Readers had long been suggesting various names for Liz and Wes, and both Kitsos and Iacono were frequently mentioned among fan favorites.

In fan cast evaluations published in May, Kitsos was highlighted as a top candidate for Liz, while Iacono was noted as a standout for Wes.

Kitsos's situation is even more interesting. It has been reported that the young actress expressed her interest in the role of Liz on social media even before the project was announced. The fact that the role ultimately went to her after extensive auditions months later adds a unique story to the adaptation's casting process.

Liz's plan, raised on romantic comedies

Better Than the Movies follows high school student Liz Buxbaum, who wants to live her life like the classic romantic comedies.

When her childhood crush Michael returns to town years later, Liz thinks she can finally live out the romantic story she has dreamed of for so long. However, to get close to Michael, she needs the last person she would ask for help, her annoying neighbor Wes.

The agreement between the two begins to change the perfect romantic comedy script Liz has in her head. The novel plays with familiar genre tropes, from neighborly love to fake relationships and enmity turning into romance.

David Iacono returns to Netflix

David Iacono gained a wide audience among young viewers, especially with his role as Cam Cameron in The Summer I Turned Pretty. The actor later transitioned to big-budget cinema with the character Xavier Dobbs in Jurassic World Rebirth.

Better Than the Movies will bring Iacono back to the center of youth stories, this time using him as a romantic male lead.

Beatrice Kitsos has also appeared in various television productions, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The new film will be one of the biggest lead projects for the actress to date.

The book is still on the bestseller list

Lynn Painter's novel, published in 2021, has continued to gain readers years after its debut, particularly due to the BookTok effect.

Better Than the Movies is currently in its 44th week on the New York Times young adult paperback list. The success of the novel has also led to the release of a sequel titled Nothing Like the Movies, which will be published in 2024.

Behind Netflix's adaptation decision lies not only the sales of the first book but also a lasting reader base formed around Liz and Wes.

Julia Hart will direct the film

Julia Hart, known for I'm Your Woman and Hollywood Stargirl, will sit in the director's chair for the adaptation.

Hart is co-writing the screenplay with Jordan Horowitz and Heather Flanders. The project was first announced in May, but at that time, it had not been revealed who would play Liz and Wes.

It is still unclear when filming will begin and when Better Than the Movies will be released on Netflix.

However, the most anticipated question about the adaptation has now been answered: Liz and Wes, who have lived in readers' minds with different faces for years, will be portrayed by Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono in the film.