A Walk to Remember reboot is officially in the works — and while the news has fans of the iconic film conflicted, the perfect cast could win Us over.
A Walk to Remember, based on Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel, premiered in 2002 and starred Mandy Moore and Shane West as Jamie Sullivan and Landon Carter, respectively. The story follows the unlikely duo after Landon, sentenced to community service, is forced to audition for the school play opposite Jamie. The pair’s initial friction eventually leads to friendship and the two fall in love, but things take a turn when Landon learns Jamie is terminally ill with leukemia.
The film saw marginal success upon its release, grossing $47.5 million worldwide on an $11.8 million budget. It was in the years following, however, that the project truly saw success as a “cult classic” romantic drama that has become beloved by fans — and the cast themselves.
“It was such an overwhelmingly positive, memorable experience,” Moore told Entertainment Weekly in 2018 of her first feature film before praising West. “Shane was so wonderful… I felt incredibly lucky right off the bat that I had someone who was as willing to work with me and who was patient and understanding. He was just the perfect partner for that.”
Related: ‘A Walk to Remember’ Turns 23: Where Is the Cast Now?
Much like other movie adaptations based on author Nicholas Sparks’ catalog of novels, A Walk to Remember charmed viewers with its sweet love story between Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore) and Landon Carter (Shane West). “[It’s] bananas,” Moore exclusively told Us Weekly about the film 16 years after its initial 2002 debut in January 2018. “It […]
West echoed Moore’s sentiments, crediting director Adam Shankman for making the experience memorable. “It was a lot of fun, everyone bonded on set and off, and it happened to turn out to be a success,” he said. “You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
In February 2025, Deadline reported that Monarch Media had secured the rights to Sparks’ story and would develop a new version of the movie with the original producers Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry.
“I am so grateful to Steve and Monarch Media for giving all of us the opportunity to bring this enduring and inspirational story of faith, hope and love to a new generation, all qualities we need now more than ever,” Di Novi told Deadline in a statement at the time.
A Walk to Remember drew viewers in with his heart wrenching story, but what truly shined was the cast’s lightning in a bottle-like chemistry. While it would be hard for anyone to duplicate, keep scrolling for Us Weekly’s dream cast for the upcoming reboot:
Jamie Sullivan: Sadie Sink
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection ; Arturo Holmes/WireImage
The role made famous by Moore is a delicate balance: Jamie has to be soft spoken while also hopeful and strong in Landon’s weaker moments. And, to be totally frank, she has to have an innate ability to cry while delivering a believable and extremely emotional performance.
Sadie Sink has more than proved her range as a young actor, delivering a multitude of layers as Max on Stranger Things. Her role in Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” music video, however, is what makes her truly feel perfect for Jamie, embodying a girl filled with innocence as she experiences her first love — and heartbreak — at a young age.
Landon Carter: Milo Manheim
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection ; Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Paramount+
It’s true — Milo Manheim has never really portrayed the brooding, angsty teen (unless you count being one of the undead), but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t nail that aspect of who Landon Carter is. Plus, real fans of the story know that it isn’t long before the softer side — the real side — of Landon comes through when he meets and falls for Jamie. It is essential the character is played by someone who can make Us believe he is hopelessly, completely and utterly in love. West did it impeccably, but from School Spirits to Zombies to that music video with Sabrina Carpenter, Manheim has proved that he, too, has no problem creating great chemistry with his costar.
Reverend Sullivan: Kerr Smith
Everett Collection (2)
Sure, AWTR is set in South Carolina — just one state over from where Smith made a name for himself on Dawson’s Creek. But more than looking at home in those small southern town vibes, Smith has proved himself a versatile actor who understands how to transform from an angsty teenager to the father of one.
His work on The Fosters as Robert Quinn is a fantastic jumping off point for the role of Reverend Sullivan, initially portrayed by Peter Coyote. Smith also had a recurring role as Principal Honey on Riverdale, so he’s clearly found his niche in the YA realm. And while Reverend Sullivan is described as very old with “translucent skin” in the books, he was significantly aged down for the film, as Coyote was 60 years old when he stepped into the role — just a few years older than Smith is now.
Belinda: Sarah Catherine Hook
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection ; Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hermès
Belinda is a tricky character: while she starts off as Landon’s ex-girlfriend and the spiteful Queen B of her high school, she eventually finds redemption with her empathy and selflessness by the end, proving all her questionable actions were done out of heartbreak and jealousy, not hate.
Lauren German was fantastic originating the character, but Sarah Catherine Hook feels like the perfect person to take on the role next. She was the ultimate mean girl in Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions reboot — proof she’s no stranger to a remake — and a good hearted vampire falling tragically in love in Netflix’s First Kill. Her character on White Lotus season 3 is also meant to be a Southern Belle from South Carolina, just like Belinda.
Cynthia Carter: Camryn Manheim
Warner Brothers ; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Daryl Hannah made Landon’s mom a true standout character in the 2002 film — who doesn’t remember her teaching him how to dance?! — and her mother-son dynamic with West felt easy and natural. With Milo in the lead role as Landon, who could help him recreate that better than his real-life mother, Camryn Manheim? (Seriously, just Google some of their joint interviews, they’re adorable together!)
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Dean: Ray Nicholson
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection ; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
You might not believe Us, but the reason Ray Nicholson would be a great Dean stems beyond the fact he and Clayne Crawford, who originated the role on screen, look so similar.
Dean is not exactly a nice guy. Yes, he comes around in the end, but not before becoming the bane of Landon’s existence, and, frankly, a real jerk. Nicholson has already crafted this archetype for a T, from his straight villain roles in films like Novocaine, Smile 2 and Borderline. His more complex portrayal of Ray on Prime Video’s Panic, meanwhile, shows he can also bring a dynamic nature to a film, playing a tough guy who has a soft spot for the people he cares about when it really matters.
Eric Hunter: Jonathan Daviss
Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection ; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
While so many of Landon’s friends abandon him as his love for Jamie grows, Eric (originally played by Al Thompson) is the one who remains by his side from start to finish — even if he stumbles a few times along the way. Jonathan Daviss is already prepped for embodying a role like Eric, someone who holds a lot of the same qualities as Daviss’ Outer Banks character, Pope. Like Eric, Pope is loyal, kind and from a small southern town. And honestly? We just think Daviss and Manheim would have some excellent friendship energy on screen.
