Fans of The Selection by Kiera Cass have been waiting patiently for The Selection movie to come to fruition but as of 2023, Cass announced that Netflix no longer plans to move forward on the film adaptation.
Check out the history of The Selection movie adaptation below and stay tuned as maybe we will see movement on this project in the future.
In the meantime, you can take my QUIZ: What Your Favorite Romance Movie Says About the Next Romance Book You’ll Love.
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Netflix has seen great success with its book-to-TV series adaptations (Bridgerton, Heartstopper) and its book-to-movie adaptions (To All the Boys I Loved Before, The Kissing Booth, Along for the Ride, Love & Gelato) so it is a no-brainer that the streaming service jumped on the rights to bring The Selection movie to the small screen.
Young adult readers and fans of fantasy books will flock to this New York Times bestselling book and The Selection series once it airs and I’m here with all the details about how that may happen.
What is The Selection?

The Selection is a young adult dystopian fantasy written by Kiera Cass.
It was released in 2012 by HarperTeen and was nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction book in the Goodreads Choice Awards that same year.
The Selection is book one in a five-book series that weaves together a fairytale romance that is a mixture of The Hunger Games, Cinderella, and The Bachelor with teenagers.
Since its release, The Selection series has sold more than 11 million copies around the world. Check out my post on all The Selection books in order so you don’t miss a book or novella!
This book has continued to gain a fan base with its popularity on Tiktok, as it’s one of the most popular books mentioned on #Booktok.
The Selection Movie Plot: What’s It About?
Since this is a film adaptation, we can assume that the movie will follow the main points of the book though some changes may be made for the film.
The Selection is set in a dystopian future where 35 girls are selected to move to the palace and compete for Prince Maxon’s heart.
The selection is a chance of a lifetime, giving a select few the possibility of escaping a rigid caste system that rules society. And yet, for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare.
It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Will The Selection Adaptation be a Movie or a TV Series?
The Selection was in development to become a movie.
Who is Developing The Selection Movie?
There was a powerhouse of women leading The Selection movie adaptation which is exciting given the message of the book is one of empowerment.
Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour was set to directNetflix’s film adaptation of The Selection. She also worked on the 2018 film, Nappily Ever After for Netflix.
Denise Di Novi and Pouya Shahbazian were set to produce the film, with Margaret French Isaac serving as executive producer.
Past Attempts at Making The Selection Movie
Netflix is not the first production house to want to take on The Selection for a movie or TV series.
Initially, the CW announced a book-to-TV series adaptation for The Selection, producing a pilot in both 2012 and again in 2013, but neither was picked up for a full series.
Warner Brothers then purchased the film rights in 2015, and a film adaptation was supposedly in the works in 2016 but there was still no traction made toward the making of a movie.
Netflix purchased the film rights in 2020 where it remains today. However, Cass announced on her blog in 2023 that Netflix is no longer moving forward in making The Selection movie:
Well, friends, it’s time to make it official: Netflix will not be making The Selection Movie. While they will still maintain the film rights for a few more years, there are no longer any plans to produce a film or series.
You all have waited so long, and I wish I could give you better news. I do want to thank you though. Your support and enthusiasm have been amazing, even with a wait that has lasted over a decade, across various attempts to bring The Selection to screens. And I want you to know that there’s nothing more you could have done to make this happen. You were perfect.
Of course, if anything ever changes, I will let you know. For now, there is no Selection film.
–Kiera Cass Blog
Who has been Cast for The Selection Movie?
There is no casting news for The Selection movie or who would fill the shoes of America and Prince Maxon.
What is The Selection Movie Rating?
The Selection book is written for a 13+ audience at the 8/9 grade level and has a large young adult fan base.
If the film adaptation ever moves forward again, my guess is that it will be rated PG-13.
When Will The Selection Movie Be Released?
With the project stalled, there is no release date for The Selection movie.
Where Will The Selection Movie Be Streamed?
Since The Selection movie is stalled at Netflix, it will not be streamed on any service.
The Selection Movie Teaser & Trailer
There is no teaser or trailer available for The Selection movie since the project has been cancelled.
Will There Be a Sequel to The Selection Movie?
Since The Selection is book one in a five-book series, if any production company were to move forward on this project in the future, it could be a great TV series and/or movie with several sequels.
The Selection Movie Production Timeline
- April 24, 2012:The Selection is released by HarperTeen
- 2012: Pilot of The Selection TV series produced for the CW
- 2013: Pilot two of The Selection TV series produced
- 2015: Warner Bros. wins the film rights to The Selection
- 2016: Variety announces a film adaptation for The Selection is in the works
- April 10, 2020: Announcement by Variety that The Selection movie will be coming to Netflix
- May 30, 2023: Kiera Cass announces that Netflix will no longer be making The Selection movie.
I will add additional details as they become available for this potential film.
Other Kiera Cass Book to Movie and TV Adaptations
The Selection is currently the only book by Kiera Cass that has been optioned for a TV series or movie.
Related Lists:
- The Selection Series Order: The Ultimate Guide
- Throne of Glass Series Order: The Ultimate Guide
- Spicy Booktok Books You Can’t Miss
- The Best Fantasy Romance Books for the Biggest Fans
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- Romance Books to Movies and TV Shows Coming in 2023
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- Romance Books to Movies on Passionflix: The Complete List
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