In 2019, Mason Deaver’s novel I Wish You All the Best was released to rave reviews. The story is a moving coming-of-age tale fit for the modern YA audience, and it is one of the few books to feature a non-binary protagonist in the spotlight. For many readers, I Wish You All the Best was groundbreaking, and it was no surprise when Ace Entertainment acquired the rights to its film adaptation quickly after the book’s release.

In the last few months, more information has been released about the film adaptation — each development is more exciting than the last. Cole Sprouse being cast cemented our excitement for I Wish You All the Best, and as far as YA book-to-film adaptations go, having a star-studded cast is a great sign of success. So let’s take a look at what the plot, cast, and crew of I Wish You All the Best looks like, and what might be in store for fans of this delightful novel.

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I Wish You All the Best: The Plot

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Novelist Mason Deaver covered many topics in the book, and while the original version is beloved by many, the film has a lot to live up to in its adaptation. The story follows Ben, a non-binary teen who is kicked out by their parents after coming out. They move in with their older sister Hannah and her husband Thomas, start attending a new high school, and meet Nathan, which is when everything turns on its head. The movie’s summary is as follows.

What a heartwarming description. We’re bracing ourselves for a film adaptation that is just as full of warmth and excitement as it is sorrow, just as the novel was. I Wish You All the Best is a coming-of-age tale about life as an LGBTQ+ teen, and it is a realistic portrait of the discrimination and hostility non-binary youth face from family, friends, and authority figures. The plot as summarized for the novel packs a harder punch and shows why I Wish You All the Best is an important and timely look at life for LGBTQ+ youth.

With such an important story, we’re eager to see how I Wish You All the Best adapts for the screen and who plays our favorite characters.

“When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as non-binary, they’re thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents’ rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.”

I Wish You All the Best: The Cast & Crew

     Netflix

I Wish You All the Best is set up with a star-studded and exciting cast of actors who fit their roles perfectly, which is so great to see. The protagonist Ben will be played by Corey Fogelmanis, who is a talented stage actor and starred in Disney’s Girl Meets World. There was an open casting call for the role posted on Instagram. Love interest and secondary protagonist Nathan is played by Miles Gutierrez-Riley, who is best known for his roles in The Wilds and To the Moon and Back. Both actors look just like the characters they’ve been cast as, which is a pleasant surprise.

One of the biggest announcements for the cast of I Wish You All the Best was Cole Sprouse, who will be playing Ben’s brother-in-law Thomas. The role of Hannah will be played by Alexandra Daddario, who is best known for her role as Annabeth in the original Percy Jackson movies and her recent role in The White Lotus Season 1.

In addition to the amazing cast, the crew on I Wish You All the Best is likewise talented. Mason Deaver, the author of the original novel, has been working on the film adaptation beside Tommy Dorfman. Dorfman the producer, screenwriter, and director of the film. Coming from a background as an actress on shows like 13 Reasons Why and Jane the Virgin, her perspective as an out and proud trans woman makes her the perfect person to direct I Wish You All the Best. This film will be Dorfman’s directorial debut and we’re excited to see how it comes together.

Release Date

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While I Wish You All the Best is in post-production, a release date has yet to be announced. Filming ended recently, so we’ll be eagerly awaiting more news as the film reaches completion.