Eva Longoria is bringing Xochitl Gonzalez’s Anita de Monte Laughs Last to the big screen, Deadline reports.
Gonzalez’s novel, published in 2024 by Flatiron, tells the story of Raquel Toro, an art student who learns about Anita de Monte, a rising star in the 1980s art world who was found dead after falling from a window in the apartment she shared with her more famous artist husband. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus praised the book as “an uncompromising message, delivered via a gripping story with two engaging heroines.”
Longoria, the actor known for her role in Desperate Housewives, among other series, will produce and direct the film adaptation with Searchlight Pictures; she previously directed the 2023 film Flamin’ Hot.
Gonzalez shared news of the adaptation on Instagram, writing, “Fun Fact: when I first had the idea for Anita, a friend dared me to write it as a feature. And I did. But I still felt it needed to be a novel... I learned so much about these characters in giving them the space that only a book can allow for, and so much changed. But now I have that opportunity to adapt that novel for the screen AND with the most amazing partners!!!”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
