Picturestart Acquires Wattpad’s Along for the Ride

Picturestart has acquired the film and television rights for Wattpad author Rachel Meinke’s book Along for the Ride.

Wattpad and Picturestart will produce and Picturestart will develop and finance the project. Tate Hanyok (Sex Appeal) is set to adapt the project.

Wattpad Books has also acquired the publishing rights to the story. It will be available as part of Wattpad Books’ Spring/Summer 2020 list.

Along for the Ride has accumulated more than 26.3 million reads on Wattpad. The story follows 17-year-old soccer star Katelyn as she’s forced to put her dreams on hold when her brother is offered a chance to tour for the summer with a world-famous boy band. Stuck on tour, Katelyn tries to focus on soccer to preserve her shot at the national team, but when she crosses paths with the band’s lead singer, her summer takes an unexpected turn.

“Along for the Ride is a phenomenon, a story with millions of reads and fans all over the world,” said Aron Levitz, head of Wattpad Studios. “Rachel’s story gives new life to the classic romance formula, bringing together a strong, empowered young woman, new media stardom, and the difficult choices that define first-love. With Erik Feig’s unmatched track record of YA hits, Picturestart is the perfect partner to bring this beloved story to screens all over the world.”

“Rachel’s story hooked us at once and we devoured the book immediately,” added Erik Feig, founder and CEO of Picturestart. “Her story introduces us to characters that are both relatable and aspirational and a world we didn’t want to leave. It’s funny, smart, unexpected, and a great roller coaster of emotions. We were thrilled Wattpad chose us to be their partners on this exciting adaptation and we can’t wait to work with them on a movie that we know is going to be a must watch film.”