May 22, 2015 - 13:20 AMT
“The Help” helmer to direct “The Girl On The Train” bestseller adaptation

Tate Taylor (The Help) is returning to DreamWorks to direct the NY Times bestselling novel, The Girl On The Train. Deadline exclusively revealed the news earlier this year that Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) was adapting Paula Hawkins’ thriller, Deadline reports.

Mark Platt and DreamWorks moved early to acquire the buzzy novel in 2014, prior to its publication. Marc Platt will produce the film, while Jared LeBoff of Marc Platt Productions will serve as executive producer. The Hitchcockian thriller, the latest in a recent line of complex female protagonists, is about a young woman who becomes entangled in a murder investigation because of what she witnesses on her daily commute. Rachel, who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds.

“With The Help, Tate deftly adapted a beloved novel into a compelling film that stayed true to its origin while pleasing fans and moviegoers alike,” said Holly Bario, President of Production at DreamWorks Studios. “We are excited to have Tate back at DreamWorks and thrilled that he’s joining us on this journey as we bring another bestseller to theaters.”

The Girl On The Train is the fastest selling adult novel in history with over two million copies sold in the United States alone since it was published in January by Riverhead Books. It landed in the top spot on the New York Times bestsellers list its first week and has remained there for the past 17 weeks straight.