Lilliam Rivera’s Never Look Back is headed to the big screen, Deadline reports.
Rivera’s young adult novel, published in 2020 by Bloomsbury, is a contemporary retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth. The book follows Pheus and Eury, two teenagers in the South Bronx who fall for one another but must contend with supernatural forces in order to save their relationship.
A critic for Kirkus wrote of the novel, a Pura Belpré Honor book, “Rivera’s complex world is well realized, and the dialogue rings true.…This fresh reworking of a Greek myth will resonate.”
The film will be directed by Zetna Fuentes, best known for her work on television shows including One Life To Live, Pretty Little Liars, and Jane the Virgin. The screenplay comes from Talia Rothenberg, who wrote episodes of #ThisIsCollege and MRS.
Singer-songwriter Romeo Santos will serve as executive producer and music supervisor along with Artie Pabon; Santos, a vocalist for the band Aventura, will also contribute a song to the movie.
Rivera shared news of the film on Instagram, writing, “Mi gente, it is happening!!! Deadline official. NEVER LOOK BACK hitting the screen with a Latinx crew…It’s been such an amazing journey to be a part of this. I’m so happy and can’t wait to see who our Pheus and Eury will be. Let’s go!!!!”
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
