Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel The Nightingale is finally making its way to theaters, with TriStar Pictures announcing a theatrical release date of February 12, 2027. The film adaptation, long in development and delayed by the pandemic and other hurdles, has regained momentum and is now in active pre-production. Marking a major milestone, real-life sisters Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning will star together on screen for the first time, portraying the central sibling characters Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol. They will also serve as producers through their company Lewellen Pictures.

Published in 2015, The Nightingale became a global phenomenon, selling over 11 million copies worldwide and translated into 45 languages. The historical fiction novel follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, each forging her own path through unimaginable hardship. Older sister Vianne, a devoted wife and mother, stays behind in their rural village, facing the daily realities of occupation, scarcity, and the moral complexities of survival under German rule. Younger sister Isabelle, fiery and rebellious, joins the French Resistance, earning the code name “The Nightingale” as she risks her life smuggling Allied airmen across borders and defying the regime through daring acts of courage.

The story explores themes of resilience, sisterhood, sacrifice, and the often-overlooked roles women played in wartime resistance. Hannah drew inspiration from real historical figures and events, including the women of the French Resistance and the experiences of ordinary civilians enduring occupation. The novel balances intimate family drama with the broader horrors of war, offering a poignant portrait of love, loss, and quiet heroism.

Dakota Fanning will portray Vianne, the grounded, protective older sister who endures profound personal trials while safeguarding her family. Elle Fanning takes on Isabelle, the passionate younger sibling whose idealism drives her into dangerous resistance work. The sisters’ first on-screen collaboration adds emotional authenticity, as their real-life bond brings depth to the characters’ complex relationship—strained by differences in temperament yet unbreakable in crisis.

Director Michael Morris (To Leslie) helms the project, bringing his skill in character-driven dramas to the material. Dana Stevens (The Woman King) wrote the screenplay, crafting a narrative that stays faithful to the novel’s emotional core while adapting its sprawling scope for the screen. Production is backed by a strong team: Elizabeth Cantillon for The Cantillon Company, the Fannings and Brittany Kahan Ward for Lewellen Pictures, and Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine. Nicole Brown and Shary Shirazi oversee for TriStar Pictures.

The cast continues to grow. Edmund Donovan (Late Fame) recently joined in a starring role, though details of his character remain under wraps. His addition, announced in January 2026, signals active casting as the film moves toward principal photography.

Development on The Nightingale began years ago, with the Fannings attaching in 2019. Progress stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, industry strikes, and creative shifts, but the project reignited in mid-2025 with Morris’s hiring and the February 2027 release date confirmation. Author Kristin Hannah expressed excitement, thanking fans, the cast, crew, and producers for their persistence through delays.

The film arrives at a time when WWII dramas remain popular, yet The Nightingale stands out for its focus on women’s experiences—ordinary women thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It highlights quiet acts of bravery often overshadowed by traditional war narratives, offering a fresh perspective on resistance, survival, and family bonds in crisis.

Visually, the production promises to capture occupied France’s stark beauty and tension: rural villages under curfew, hidden safe houses, dangerous border crossings, and the ever-present threat of German patrols. The story’s emotional weight—grief, hope, defiance—will rely heavily on the Fannings’ performances, with Dakota’s nuanced restraint contrasting Elle’s fiery determination.

As pre-production advances, anticipation builds for what could be a major awards contender. The novel’s devoted readership, combined with the Fannings’ star power and the prestige backing, positions The Nightingale as a significant cinematic event. For fans of historical fiction and powerful sister stories, the wait is nearly over. February 12, 2027, marks not just a release date but the culmination of years of passion and perseverance to bring this timeless tale to the screen.