Biphoo News

collapse
Home / Daily News Analysis / Lana Condor Shares Thoughts on Lara Jean Meeting Belly from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

Lana Condor Shares Thoughts on Lara Jean Meeting Belly from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

Jul 06, 2026  Twila Rosenbaum  4 views
Lana Condor Shares Thoughts on Lara Jean Meeting Belly from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

Fans of Jenny Han's romantic book adaptations have long speculated about a crossover between her two most beloved series: 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' and 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.' While both stories exist on different streaming platforms—Netflix and Prime Video, respectively—the possibility of characters like Lara Jean Covey and Belly Conklin sharing the screen has been a topic of discussion among readers and viewers. Recently, Lana Condor, who portrayed Lara Jean in the 'To All the Boys' film trilogy, addressed this question while promoting her upcoming movie 'The Devil's Mouth' alongside Gavin Casalegno, a star from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.'

Lana Condor's Thoughts on a Lara Jean-Belly Crossover

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Condor was asked whether she believes Lara Jean and Belly could meet and become friends. Condor, now 29, humorously admitted that she hasn't watched 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' yet, despite working with Casalegno. 'You know, Gavin, I have to admit this—I actually have not seen your show,' she told him. She confessed that she'd already said this to the press before, but Casalegno reassured her, saying, 'That’s OK.' Condor explained that she's seen clips of the Prime Video series online, but still doesn't know Belly's full personality. 'So I don't actually know what Belly's personality is,' Condor continued. 'But I'm imagining Lara Jean can kind of get along with a lot of people. So I'm imagining she would be fine.'

This lighthearted exchange highlights the actor's genuine curiosity about the interconnected worlds of Jenny Han. Condor's character, Lara Jean, is known for being a kind, introverted teenager who navigates love and relationships through heartfelt letters. Belly, played by Lola Tung, is a more impulsive and romantic character caught between two brothers. Condor's instinct that Lara Jean would 'get along with a lot of people' aligns with her character's personality from the books.

Gavin Casalegno on the Final Season of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

Gavin Casalegno, who plays Jeremiah Fisher in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty,' recently wrapped filming on the final season of the show. He teased what fans can expect, saying, 'I think it's a continuation of this love triangle story and how familiarity breeds contempt. And then trying to work through old wounds, old hurts, old relationships.' Casalegno expressed confidence that audiences will be 'pleasantly surprised' by the conclusion of the series. The love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah has been a central conflict in both the books and the TV adaptation, and Casalegno's comments hint at a satisfying resolution.

The actor also discussed his experience working with Condor on 'The Devil's Mouth,' a movie set for release on Prime Video on July 29, 2026. While their characters in that film are distinct from their famous roles, the collaboration has fueled fan excitement about a potential crossover event—even if it's just a coincidental pairing of actors from the Han universe.

Jenny Han's Easter Eggs Connecting the Two Series

Although a direct crossover hasn't been officially written into any script, author Jenny Han has left deliberate Easter eggs linking the two series. In a 2018 interview with Refinery29, Han revealed that observant readers can find a copy of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' in Lara Jean's bedroom in the 'To All the Boys' books. 'There’s a copy of my book, The Summer I Turned Pretty, in [Lara Jean's] bedroom, if you look closely,' Han said. 'There’s also a picture of me and the cover model, Helen, on the third book cover.'

This subtle inclusion suggests that Lara Jean is a reader of Han's first series, making her a fan of Belly's story rather than a character living in the same fictional world. Han wrote 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' first, but the 'To All the Boys' trilogy movies were released earlier, which might explain why the Easter eggs appear in the books rather than on screen.

Han has also spoken about her preference for serialized storytelling on television over film. 'I think that TV is more novelistic,' she told W Magazine. 'You can really dig into characters and spend hours with them and on their journeys in a way that you can't with a movie. Since TV is more of a writer's medium and movies are more for directors, I just knew I would have more creative control.' This insight into her creative process explains why she chose to adapt 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' as a TV series rather than a movie franchise.

The Cultural Impact of Jenny Han's Romances

Jenny Han's books have become staples in young adult literature, particularly for their focus on Asian American protagonists and nuanced portrayals of first love. 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before,' published in 2014, introduced readers to Lara Jean Covey, a half-Korean teenager whose secret love letters are accidentally mailed. The Netflix film adaptation, released in 2018, starred Lana Condor and was praised for its representation and charming storyline. It spawned two sequels—'P.S. I Still Love You' (2020) and 'To All the Boys: Always and Forever' (2021)—as well as a spin-off series, 'XO, Kitty,' which follows Lara Jean's younger sister Kitty as she moves to Seoul.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty,' published in 2009, centers on Belly Conklin, a girl who spends summers at a beach house with her mother's best friend's family, including brothers Conrad and Jeremiah. The Prime Video adaptation, which began in 2022, has been praised for its nostalgic summer vibes and emotional depth. Lola Tung's performance as Belly has resonated with audiences, particularly for capturing the character's growth from a boy-crazy teen to a young woman grappling with complex feelings.

Both series have been credited with reviving interest in romance adaptations for young audiences. In 2026, research showed a significant increase in streaming romance book adaptations, with 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' and 'To All the Boys' leading the trend. The success of these shows has also opened doors for other authors, such as Meg Cabot, who recently teased a 'Princess Diaries 3' script.

The Future of Both Franchises

While 'To All the Boys' concluded with its third film, the 'XO, Kitty' spin-off continues on Netflix, exploring Kitty's adventures in Korea and her own romantic entanglements. 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' is wrapping up with its final season, which is expected to adapt the third book in Han's trilogy. Fans are eager to see how the love triangle resolves and which brother Belly ultimately chooses.

As for a true crossover between the two series, Han has not announced any plans, but the Easter eggs keep the possibility alive in fans' minds. Condor's comment about Lara Jean being able to 'get along with a lot of people' echoes her character's easygoing nature, making a theoretical meeting feel natural. Casalegno's involvement in 'The Devil's Mouth' with Condor only adds to the speculation, as both actors are now linked in a project that isn't a Han adaptation but still brings together two key players from her universe.

The demand for interconnected stories in entertainment—like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the various adaptations of Stephen King's works—suggests that a Han crossover could be commercially viable. However, for now, fans will have to content themselves with hidden book references and behind-the-scenes collaborations between the cast members.

Lana Condor and Gavin Casalegno's new movie 'The Devil's Mouth' is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 29, 2026. Meanwhile, the final season of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' has yet to announce a release date. As both actors move forward with their careers, the legacy of Jenny Han's characters—and the question of whether Lara Jean and Belly could ever share a scene—remains a beloved topic among fans.


Source: Yahoo Entertainment News


Share:

Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies Cookie Policy