Hate U Give Screenwriter Audrey Wells Died At 58

Photo: Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic

According to its representatives at UTA, Hate U Give Screenwriter Audrey Wells passed away Thursday after a "long and private battle with cancer". The writer and director was 58 at the time of her death. In addition to the upcoming crime drama, based on the bestselling Angie Thomas YA book of the same name, Wells has written or co-authored a number of blockbuster films, including 1996 The truth about cats and dogs, 1997 George of the jungle, 2003 Under the sun of Tuscany (which she also realized), and 2017 The purpose of a dog, among others.

"In the past five years, Audrey has been valiantly battling her illness and she has died surrounded by love. Even during her fight, she never stopped living, working or traveling, and she never lost her joy, wonder and optimism, "said Wells husband Brian Larky in a statement. "She was, quite simply, the most incredible wife and partner that we could imagine, and she always knew that she was loved by Tatiana, myself and the friends who were his chosen family. She recently said, "We are so lucky, darling. We must live a story of love. Who can do it? We will take her with us forever – as a mother, as a wife, as an artist and a creator, and as a friend. She was irreplaceable. " Hate U Give, which debuts tonight in Atlanta and opens in some cities, will debut nationwide on Oct. 19.