Prime Video has announced that its breakout hit ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ will wrap with feature-length film, giving Belly Conklin’s story a definitive conclusion, according to BBC. The announcement arrived Wednesday during the season three premiere celebration in Paris, where series leads Lola Tung (Belly) and Christopher Briney (Conrad) walked the red carpet in front of a giant poster revealing ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie.’ Fans immediately took to social media to celebrate the news, reigniting the Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah rivalry that has been a cornerstone of the show since its debut.
Jenny Han, who created the Prime Video series and penned the original coming-of-age-book trilogy, will write and direct the film. Season three, which dropped earlier this week, positioned Belly at a critical turning point in her relationships with both Conrad and Jeremiah, setting the stage for the film to serve as the story’s emotional finale.
“There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due,” Han said, thanking Prime Video for supporting her vision, via BBC.
The BBC went on to detail how the announcement of a feature-length finale emphasizes the growing trend of streaming companies turning successful shows into cinematic events, providing viewers with a more immersive experience. With Han at the helm, viewers can anticipate the film to keep the same passionate storytelling and emotional depth that made the series so successful.
According to industry observers, adapting beloved programs into films may increase viewer engagement, create cultural moments, and spark renewed social media conversation, as has already occurred with fans speculating about the story’s denouement. Merchandise, soundtracks, and future spin-offs may also follow, demonstrating how Prime Video is exploiting the series’ popularity to establish a long-lasting franchise.
BBC reports its fervent fan base made it a global sensation, yet online debate about the show has occasionally become intense enough for Han to publicly encourage viewers to “act normal online.”
According to BBC, Courtenay Valenti and Vernon Sanders, executives at Prime Video, termed the series “an extraordinary success,” and said they were delighted to present “an unforgettable next chapter” with the impending film. All three seasons of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ are available to stream on Prime Video.