Photo credit: Fabio Lovino/20th Century Studios

If Jacob Elordi wasn’t already on your radar after The Kissing Booth, Euphoria, or his scene-stealing turn in Saltburn, consider this your official invitation to join the fan club. Standing at six-foot-five with undeniable leading-man charisma, Elordi has become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stars—but what really has us swooning is his growing collection of book-to-screen adaptations.

In just the past few years, Elordi has brought some of literature’s most unforgettable characters to life, from Elvis Presley in Priscilla to the young Dorrigo Evans in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Next came Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, a starring role as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, and this summer’s adaptation of The Dog Stars. Safe to say, if Jacob Elordi’s name is attached to a literary adaptation, we’re already adding it to both our watchlist and our TBR.

Upcoming Movie: The Dog Stars

Jacob Elordi’s next literary adventure takes him into the post-apocalyptic world of The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Peter Heller’s bestselling 2012 novel, arriving in theaters on August 28, 2026. The highly anticipated film stars Elordi as Hig, a former civilian pilot trying to survive after a devastating flu pandemic wipes out most of humanity. Living in the ruins of an abandoned Colorado airport alongside a hardened ex-Marine (Josh Brolin) and his loyal dog, Hig clings to hope when a mysterious radio transmission hints that he may not be as alone as he thought.

Joining Elordi is an all-star cast that includes Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, and Benedict Wong, making it one of the most anticipated literary adaptations of the year. With Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator, Alien) at the helm, breathtaking Colorado landscapes, and an emotionally driven survival story at its core, this is one book-to-screen adaptation we’ll be first in line to watch.

Swoon Worthy Moments

He Carries a Book Everywhere

Jacob has become known for always having a book tucked into one of his many tote bags or leather satchels. In a feature with GQ, he explained that he likes to leave home prepared with “a book, a notepad, rolls of film, a camera, and a pen,” making it clear he’s happiest when he has something creative to dive into.

A few books Jacob Elordi has been spotted with or recommended…

Weak in Comparison to Dreams by James Elkins

“I don’t where it came from, I don’t know how it happened, but I got it in Toronto… I think everyone should read that book. It’s unbelievable.” – Jacob Elordi on Jack Edwards

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon

East of Eden by John Steinback

Two families pitted against one another, Steinback’s mastery is on full display as they play out the fall of Adam and Eve and the rivalry of Cain and Abel.

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

A group of eccentric outcasts enamored with their professor seek transcendence and spiral down a dangerous path in this incredible psychological thriller from Pulitzer Prize winner Donna Tartt.

Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon

He’s Passionate About Poetry

During GQ’s “Favorite Things” interview, Jacob didn’t talk about watches or sports cars—he brought along books of poetry. He specifically highlighted works by Australian poet Les Murray and English poet Philip Larkin, explaining that he’s drawn to writing that says “as much as you can in the simplest, most accessible way.”

He Treated The Kissing Booth Like Shakespeare

Long before he was starring in prestige literary adaptations, Jacob admitted that he read the original The Kissing Booth novel so closely that he argued with producers when the screenplay differed from the book. He even insisted Noah Flynn should smoke because “he smokes in the book.” The filmmakers eventually talked him out of it, but the story perfectly captures how seriously he takes adapting source material.

Recent Adaptions

Wuthering Heights (2026)

Based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Elordi stars as the brooding Heathcliff opposite Margot Robbie’s Catherine Earnshaw in Emerald Fennell’s bold reimagining of the timeless romance. The film reinterprets one of literature’s most iconic love stories for a new generation while preserving the novel’s passion, obsession, and gothic atmosphere.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North (2025)

Adapted from Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, this sweeping miniseries follows an Australian army surgeon haunted by memories of war, impossible love, and survival after becoming a prisoner of war during World War II. Elordi plays the younger version of the story’s central character, helping bring one of Australia’s most celebrated novels to the screen.

Frankenstein (2025)

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece casts Elordi as the Creature, offering a deeply emotional interpretation of one of literature’s most misunderstood figures. The Netflix film explores themes of humanity, isolation, and ambition while remaining rooted in Shelley’s groundbreaking novel.