The Netflix Original Film based on the New York Times Best-Selling Novel
TO ALL THE BOYS
I’VE LOVED BEFORE
will launch globally on Netflix on August 17, 2018!
Lara Jean Song Covey's love life goes from imaginary to out of control when the love letters for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all -- are mysteriously mailed out.
From New York Times Bestselling Author, Jenny Han, the film adaption of the popular YA novel stars Lana Condor (Alita: Battle Angel, X-Men: Apocalypse), Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) and Noah Centineo (Sierra Burgess Is A Loser, The Fosters). Directed by Susan Johnson.
What was your inspiration for the story?
I used to write secret love letters to boys and I’d keep them in a hat box under my bed. They were for
my eyes only. Thank God mine never got sent out!
There was interest early on, but it took almost five years to actually get made. One of the sticking points as people didn’t understand why the main character needed to be Asian. I explained to them that it wasn't that she needed to be Asian, it’s that she was.
The director Susan Johnson was really dedicated to staying true to the book. She and I had long
conversations about the story and the characters. I also gave notes on the script, I created mood
boards for Lara Jean’s wardrobe, her bedroom, I talked to Lana about her character in depth. I weighed
in on set design. One of my requests was a rice cooker for the kitchen. Pretty much every Asian
household has a rice cooker!
It’s completely surreal and very much a dream come true. Never in my life have I seen an Asian
American girl star in a teen movie before. I’m so happy to be a part of this moment, and of this
movement.
I think she is relatable in that she is really self-possessed. She knows what she likes, what she doesn't
like. She loves being cozy at home with her family, she is really comfortable just being herself. I think a
lot of teenaged girls are that way. When I was in high school, I wasn’t going to crazy parties every
weekend, I was at home baking cookies and watching movies with my sister.
we see more representation like this and specifically a character like Lara Jean?
It’s important for Asian American kids to see themselves in stories and to feel seen. They need to know that their stories are universal too, that they too can fall in love in a teen movie. They don’t have to be the sidekick; they can be the hero. I’ve never seen an Asian American character like Lara Jean in a movie before-- sweet, quirky, funny and just herself. She’s Asian, and that’s part of her identity, but it’s not the whole of her identity. There doesn’t need to be “a point” to her being Asian. She just is.
I hope they take away that you don’t have to change yourself for somebody to like you. When Lara Jean starts spending time with Peter, she comes out of her shell but at her core, she’s still very much herself.
- Jenny Han
DIRECTOR Q&A - SUSAN JOHNSON
Discuss your journey to making this film.
I’m a big fan of YA books as a genre, and had just finished making my first film, which was also a YA
adaptation, when I read the script of TATB. The lead characters of each film could not be more
different, but both resonate with me equally. Everyone can relate to the struggle of figuring out who
What made you want to tell this story?
I found Jenny’s book to be the ultimate “feel-good” story. There is so much angst in the world right
now, and hatred, and distrust, and To All The Boy’s I’ve Loved Before is sweet, and joyful, and
I’m close with my sisters, but that birth-order designation definitely defines our relationships.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making this film?
The main challenge when adapting a book to film, for me, is staying true to author’s vision. Jenny and I
found each other online before the movie began filming. We had multiple conversations about the
script they had developed, as well as the characters, backstory, and fans who helped make the novel a
success. At some point I had to block out everyone else’s expectations of what the movie should be
What are the main themes in the film?
What makes Lara Jean such a relatable character for young women? Describe her personal journey
from the beginning of the film to the end.
We have just started showing the film, and the response across the board has been amazing. I mention
this in response to a question about what makes Lara Jean relatable to young women, because it
seems, so far anyway, that the audience for this film will be diverse and not limited to young women.
Describe the casting process and finding the perfect Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky.
We knew we wanted to stay true to the ethnicity of the characters in the book, and I was excited to be
making the first movie with a female Asian-American lead in a couple of decades. Part of the challenge
in finding the perfect Lara Jean was in building her family around her. We saw so many talented actors, but it was complicated matching ages of the Covey Sisters. With Lana, I knew as soon as I saw her first audition that she would be Lara Jean. She’s just very special, and clearly connected with the character in a way I didn’t expect. So when we had callbacks in Los Angeles and finally met in person, I actually did the thing you are never supposed to do as a director and pulled her aside to tell her I was rooting for her 100%. I just wanted her to feel comfortable in the role as soon as possible so that we could put the rest of the puzzle together quickly. Noah was equally amazing in his audition, but when we put the two of them together it was magical. I love who they are as people, and as Lara Jean and Peter, and I think my love for them shows in every frame of the movie.
Discuss your journey to making this film.
I’m a big fan of YA books as a genre, and had just finished making my first film, which was also a YA
adaptation, when I read the script of TATB. The lead characters of each film could not be more
different, but both resonate with me equally. Everyone can relate to the struggle of figuring out who
you are to yourself and the world, and I think that’s why YA books and films are so popular.
I found Jenny’s book to be the ultimate “feel-good” story. There is so much angst in the world right
now, and hatred, and distrust, and To All The Boy’s I’ve Loved Before is sweet, and joyful, and
optimistic. Also, like Lara Jean, I am the middle girl of three sisters, so her journey is very familiar to me.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making this film?
The main challenge when adapting a book to film, for me, is staying true to author’s vision. Jenny and I
found each other online before the movie began filming. We had multiple conversations about the
script they had developed, as well as the characters, backstory, and fans who helped make the novel a
success. At some point I had to block out everyone else’s expectations of what the movie should be
and rely on my own vision for the movie, but in the early stages it’s all about information gathering.
The main themes in the movie are Love, Family, Vulnerability and Trust.
from the beginning of the film to the end.
We have just started showing the film, and the response across the board has been amazing. I mention
this in response to a question about what makes Lara Jean relatable to young women, because it
seems, so far anyway, that the audience for this film will be diverse and not limited to young women.
There is a line from Peter toward the end of the film where he says “You’ve gotta trust,” which sums up Lara Jean’s entire journey beautifully. She starts the film as a victim of loss, unaware of how her own thoughts and fears are limiting her life. But when her innermost thoughts are revealed to the world, she handles it with confidence she didn’t know she possessed. Being forced to confront her biggest fear (of the letters getting out) helps Lara Jean to realize that she is strong, and kind, and worthy of love like everyone else on the planet.
We knew we wanted to stay true to the ethnicity of the characters in the book, and I was excited to be
making the first movie with a female Asian-American lead in a couple of decades. Part of the challenge
in finding the perfect Lara Jean was in building her family around her. We saw so many talented actors, but it was complicated matching ages of the Covey Sisters. With Lana, I knew as soon as I saw her first audition that she would be Lara Jean. She’s just very special, and clearly connected with the character in a way I didn’t expect. So when we had callbacks in Los Angeles and finally met in person, I actually did the thing you are never supposed to do as a director and pulled her aside to tell her I was rooting for her 100%. I just wanted her to feel comfortable in the role as soon as possible so that we could put the rest of the puzzle together quickly. Noah was equally amazing in his audition, but when we put the two of them together it was magical. I love who they are as people, and as Lara Jean and Peter, and I think my love for them shows in every frame of the movie.
How did you balance the tone of exploring the loss of Lara Jean’s mother with a fun, enjoyable
coming of age story?
Because the Covey sisters had lost their mom seven years before our film takes place, loss as a theme
was the backstory and not the primary focus. That said, growing up without a mother clearly defined
the relationship of the sisters to each other, and their father. The Coveys are a tight-knit family in a
home filled with love. The character of Dr. Covey is one of my favorites, and I love how John Corbett
played the role. John made it easy for us to understand how well Dr. Covey had managed to raise the
girls in the midst of his own grief. Dr. Covey has sort of given everyone, including the audience,
What do you hope audiences take away from this film?
I heard Lana say in an interview early on that she hopes everyone will come away from this movie
encouraged to live their best lives. It’s such a beautiful statement, and she nailed my sentiments
exactly. So thank you, Lana! Look, obviously everyone’s journey is unique, but the things that bond us
as humans are identical. Love, friendship, family, trust...kindness. A little more of each of those things,
every day, will make the world a better place.
-Susan Johnson
coming of age story?
Because the Covey sisters had lost their mom seven years before our film takes place, loss as a theme
was the backstory and not the primary focus. That said, growing up without a mother clearly defined
the relationship of the sisters to each other, and their father. The Coveys are a tight-knit family in a
home filled with love. The character of Dr. Covey is one of my favorites, and I love how John Corbett
played the role. John made it easy for us to understand how well Dr. Covey had managed to raise the
girls in the midst of his own grief. Dr. Covey has sort of given everyone, including the audience,
permission to move on in a way that’s very comforting.
I heard Lana say in an interview early on that she hopes everyone will come away from this movie
encouraged to live their best lives. It’s such a beautiful statement, and she nailed my sentiments
exactly. So thank you, Lana! Look, obviously everyone’s journey is unique, but the things that bond us
as humans are identical. Love, friendship, family, trust...kindness. A little more of each of those things,
every day, will make the world a better place.
-Susan Johnson
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