Book adaptations have been all the rage on the big and small screen. 2014 is no exception and it has some amazing things to offer.
The Hypable staff selected their most anticipated book adaptations, whether it be for television or film.
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Winter’s Tale is based on the novel of the same name by Mark Helprin. New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a young girl, who is dying. The novel is lush and atmospheric, spanning two lifetimes. Winter’s Tale is part fairy tale, part Dicken’s novel as we follow Peter through his journey for true love. The trailer gives a solid look at Peter in New York City, past and present. It also hints at the themes of good and evil that run throughout the story. Winter’s Tale releases February 14. – Jen Lamoureux |
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The story follows Rose, a Dhampir, who is best friends with Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi. Lissa is the last of her family line and Rose believes it is her duty to protect her. The girls find themselves returned to St. Vladimir’s, a private school especially for Moroi and Dhampirs. Danger lurks around every corner and the girls have to navigate the social scene that is all too willing to destroy them. Vampire Academy stars Zoey Deutch, Danila Kozlovsky and Lucy Fry. The movie is based on the best selling series The Vampire Academy written by Richelle Mead. The fans are patiently awaiting the arrival of this film written by Daniel Waters and directed by his brother Mark Waters. Could this be the perfect storm of mean girls meets vampires? Only time will tell. Vampire Academy releases February 14. – Jen Lamoureux |
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Divergent needs little introduction. Based on the first book in the series by Veronica Roth, the movie will shadow Tris as she makes her way from the gray and drab, ever-apologetic Abnegation faction, to the fearless and sometimes-cruel Dauntless faction. But it isn’t her decision that makes Tris dangerous, it’s the fact that she’s Divergent and doesn’t fit neatly into the various boxes the government has so nicely set up for everyone. Shailene Woodley plays Tris, and she is joined by Theo James, who plays her on-screen romantic partner, Four. Kate Winslet, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, and Ansel Elgort are just a few of the actors gracing us with their presence in this movie. Bound to be another large franchise, Divergent seems like it’ll be here for the long-haul. Divergent releases on March 21. – Karen Rought |
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Jennifer Lawrence returns to the screen in this third installment of The Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen has been sent into the Hunger Games twice – now it is her turn to fight back. After breaking out of the arena in Catching Fire, Katniss (Lawrence) must now face the consequences of her actions against The Capitol. As she reluctantly becomes the face of the rebellion, she knows that somewhere within The Capitol, her teammate Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is suffering. Based on the bestselling trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay – Part 1 is set to be a thrilling ride, filled with the cliffhangers that made the original novels so enjoyable. Lawrence and Hutcherson are joined by Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore. There is no word as yet as to where Mockingjay will be split – regardless we won’t get to see the end of this story until Part 2 releases in 2015. |
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The Maze Runner is based off the book of the same name by James Dashner. The story follows Thomas, a teen that wakes up not knowing anything about himself other than his first name. He comes to in a world that seems utterly unrealistic to us – full of mazes and monsters, where boys run their own village in order to stay alive – and is a catalyst for everything that changes following his arrival. The Maze Runner is set to star Teen Wolf fan favorite actor Dylan O’Brien in the lead role. He will be joined by Kaya Scodelario, who plays opposite him as the mysterious Teresa. If this first film does well, it could launch a brand new franchise and rocket O’Brien even further into stardom. |
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Based on the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his beautiful wife Amy has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior has everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, the questionable husband and Rosamund Pike as the missing wife. There has only been one still released so far but if the movie turns out anything at all like the book, it will be amazing. David Fincher is directing and in recent years he has taken on the adaptation of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and brought the story of Facebook to life in The Social Network. Fincher’s story telling is a perfect fit for this thriller. Gone Girl releases October 3. – Jen Lamoureux |
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17-year-old Mia (Chloë Grace Moretz) dreams of becoming a world class cellist – but those dreams are violently interrupted when she is involved in a near-fatal car accident. Left hovering between life and death, Mia watches her friends and family visiting her, while flashing back to the life she had before. While her boyfriend Adam (Jamie Blackley) suffers by her side, she must decide whether to let go, or to face a much more difficult path – and stay. If I Stay is an adaptation of the 2009 novel of the same name by Gayle Forman. The film is still in post-production, but is currently slated for release in 2014 in the United States. Fans should be encouraged to hear that Forman is an executive producer on the film, which is directed by Emmy winner R.J. Cutler. If I Stay is currently set for a 2014 release. – Marama Whyte |
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Wild tells Cheryl Strayed’s account of her epic trek along more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and has been a tremendous success, taking up seemingly permanent residence on bestseller lists, and inspiring Oprah Winfrey to re-launch her book club. With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her. Reese Witherspoon plays Strayed in the film version, which was adapted for the screen by novelist Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy). Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyer’s Club) directs. Release date: TBA – Jen Lamoureux |
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In addition to Catching Fire, this year Jennifer Lawrence will also be starring in the adaptation of Ron Rash’s Serena as the novel’s titular character. Serena sees Jennifer Lawrence teaming up with Bradley Cooper once more in a Depression-era piece. The story revolves around newlyweds George (Cooper) and Serena Pemberton who aspire to build a timber empire in 1929 North Carolina. They’re a force to be reckoned with as they remove all potential threats to their goals by any means possible (including murder), no matter where those threats may come from. Their lives become increasingly complicated when Serena learns that she cannot bear children and plots to murder the son that George had before they were married. Serena could very well earn Jennifer Lawrence yet another Oscar nomination. Cool and calculating, Serena becomes more powerful and dangerous as the novel progresses. This is a type of role that Lawrence has not yet tackled but could really excel at. Serena is currently slated for a 2014 release but the exact date is still TBA. – Danielle Zimmerman
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Shailene Woodley leaves her footprint on yet another Young Adult adaptation with The Fault in Our Stars. This story, however, is a world away from Divergent. Based on the novel by John Green, The Fault in Our Stars is about love and how it overcomes any obstacle, including disease. With both of the main characters being young cancer patients, this movie will strike a chord with any audience member. Not only is it tragically beautiful, but it’s also funny and smart and witty. With Woodley once again teaming up with Ansel Elgort, this time they’ll be playing something a little closer than brother and sister. It’s a movie that the whole family can enjoy together. The Fault in Our Stars hits theatres on June 6. – Karen Rought |
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Bilbo Baggins will be back in theaters for the third (and presumably final) installment of Peter Jackon’s Hobbit trilogy next December. Having unleashed the terrible dragon Smaug from his mountain lair, Bilbo, his dwarven companions, and Bard the Bowman must save Lake Town from fiery destruction… and because this is Tolkien, that’s only the beginning. Epic battles and devastating betrayals, star-crossed love and terrible sacrifice all await one previously-timid little hobbit before this undeniably epic trilogy concludes. The Hobbit: There and Back Again is based on The Hobbit and other background writings by JRR Tolkien. The returning cast includes Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Armitage, and a whole lot of other British people. Serving not only as the conclusion to Bilbo’s unexpected journey, but to Peter Jackson’s cinematic interpretation of Tolkien’s work, The Hobbit: There and Back Again is a must-see for every fan who has ever set foot in Middle Earth. The Hobbit: There and Back Again opens in December 2014. – Michal Schick
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Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. Based on the incredibly popular novels by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is sure to be the next cable sensation. The story is set in the stunning Scottish countryside and the men are sporting kilts. All the images from filming so far have made the devout readers very happy. The film stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire and Sam Heughan as Jamie. Outlander will premiere on Starz later this year. – Jen Lamoureux |