Divine Rivals movie: Everything to know about the Paramount adaptation of Rebecca Ross’s fantasy romance

Paramount Pictures has officially acquired the rights to adapt Divine Rivals, the bestselling fantasy romance novel by Rebecca Ross. The film is currently in early development, with a strong creative team already in place.

Based on a high-stakes magical world filled with war, love, and mystery, the adaptation aims to bring the story of rival journalists Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt to the screen for a global audience. The Divine Rivals novel, first released in 2023, quickly became a sensation across social media, especially on BookTok.

It is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment series and has remained on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 125 weeks. The story centers on two young journalists who fall in love through anonymous letters sent via a magical typewriter, all while their world is at war due to a conflict between rival gods.

According to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, the adaptation comes after a competitive bidding war among several studios, with Paramount securing the project. The screenplay will be written by Sofia Alvarez, best known for adapting To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for Netflix.

The film will be produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Pouya Shahbazian, with Rebecca Ross serving as executive producer.

What is Divine Rivals about?

Divine Rivals is a fantasy romance novel set in a world affected by an ancient war between the gods Enva and Dacre. The story follows Iris Winnow, a determined teenage journalist trying to hold her family together. Her brother is missing at the front, and her mother is dealing with addiction. She works at the Oath Gazette and competes with her cold but talented rival, Roman Kitt, for a columnist promotion.

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Iris writes letters to her missing brother using a magical typewriter, which mysteriously sends them elsewhere when slipped under her wardrobe. Unbeknownst to her, the letters are received by Roman, who responds anonymously using his middle name, Carver. Through these letters, the two begin to form a heartfelt connection without knowing each other's identity.

As war escalates, both are eventually assigned to report from the front lines. Their rivalry becomes a bond, tested by the dangers of the battlefield and the secrets they hold. The story blends historical-style war settings with fantasy elements and romantic mystery. Influences cited for the novel include the film You’ve Got Mail, themes of World War I, and classic epistolary storytelling.

Who’s making the Divine Rivals movie adaptation?

Paramount Pictures is leading the adaptation with several experienced creatives attached. According to Deadline, Sofia Alvarez will write the screenplay. Alvarez previously adapted the hit romantic series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for Netflix. Her background in young adult adaptations and character-driven stories positions her well for this project.

Producing the film are Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Pouya Shahbazian. Di Bonaventura is under a first-look deal with Paramount, while Shahbazian is known for his work on the Divergent film series. Rebecca Ross, the original author, will serve as an executive producer. Her involvement is expected to help ensure that the movie remains faithful to the source material.

The project is still in its early stages, and casting and release dates have not yet been announced. No director has been attached so far.

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How is the buzz around the Divine Rivals book?

Divine Rivals is the first installment in Rebecca Ross’s Letters of Enchantment series. Since its release, the book has sold over one million copies worldwide and has stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 125 consecutive weeks, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It has also won a Goodreads Choice Award and has been translated into 27 languages.

The book’s popularity was largely driven by social media, particularly BookTok, where it became a viral sensation. Readers shared emotional reactions, fan art, and video edits, boosting the book’s visibility across platforms. The blend of magic, romance, and historical atmosphere appealed to both teen and adult audiences.

The novel’s success helped prompt a bidding war for the film rights, ultimately won by Paramount. With multiple books in the Letters of Enchantment series already out or in development, there is potential for a multi-film franchise depending on the performance of the first adaptation.