Now that The Hunger Games has been released and we know the success of a well-done adaptation, which will be the next book to make it big on the big screen? There are already several adaptations in the process of being made. Check out the list below!
It is no secret that Hollywood has a love affair with books, especially of the young adult variety. The success of Harry Potter, Twilight, and most recently The Hunger Games has drawn attention to young adult literature and its built-in fan base. A well-done adaptation gains the respect and attention of the fans, which translate at the box office.
These books have actors, directors and scripts attached. Many already have release dates for 2013.
City of Bones by Cassie Clare
Without a doubt, this film is one of the most anticipated adaptations. Cassie Clare’s Mortal Instruments series has been sold in over 30 countries. In 2010 Screen Gems announced it was beginning production on the film shortly after Lily Collins was cast as Clary Fray, the main character. In the summer of 2011 Jamie Campbell Bower was cast as Jace Wayland. On March 16, 2012, Harold Zwart was announced as the new director for the film, and pre-production on the film is still scheduled for August 15, 2012. This adaptation has seen multiple screenplays written, a change in production company, and a new director. While all of these things have slowed down the filming process, the fans are still clamoring for the film version.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game was published in 1985 and has been in the process of being adapted since the 2000’s. With the current interest in young adult novels being adapted, the Ender’s Game has many appealing qualities. First, the casting for this film is quality. Asa Butterfield will play Ender and is joined by Viola Davis, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, and Ben Kingsley, just to name a few. The story’s roots are in science fiction, but at the heart is a story of a boy trying to find his place in a world that expects him to grow up too quickly, all while worrying about an alien invasion. Ender’s Game will appeal to generations of readers and moviegoers. Ender’s Game is set for a March 2013 release.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Host is currently being filmed and we have even been treated to a teaser trailer. The cast is filled with talented actors from Saoirse Ronan to William Hurt. The novel is the first of an intended series by Stephenie Meyer, who has had some success in book-to-film adaptations. While The Host is very different from Twilight, it is likely to pull in some of that fan base, but it will also appeal to a wider audience. The story focuses on an earth that has been overrun by aliens who live within the human body. Melanie Stryder fights the parasite alien living inside her and both shares her body while they search for the human rebellion where Melanie’s family is hiding. The Host is set to release in late March 2013. Clearly March is shaping up to be the month of the aliens.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Beautiful Creatures is a New York Times bestselling novel with an avid fan following and is published in over 30 countries. The film was optioned by Warner Brothers in 2009 and has just recently entered pre-production. The cast is a mix of experienced award winners like Emma Thompson and Viola Davis, as well as relative newcomers Jack O’Connell and Alice Englert. This story, while considered supernatural and gothic, has a male narrator who is not only unusual but appealing. What makes this adaption most appealing is the story itself. Beautiful Creatures is unique. The casters have an interesting background. There is no clear delineation in good or evil and at its heart, the story centers on family. Beautiful Creatures is set to start filming in New Orleans this spring and will be released in February 2013.
Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
This adaptation has a lot to prove after The Lightening Thief failed to deliver in 2010. The adaptation failed to live up to the fans’ expectations by deviating too much from the source material. The question is, can they fix it for the second film? Rick Riordan has said he has never seen The Lightening Thief and probably won’t. With the lack of love from both fans and the author, it will be interesting to see what happens with the second installment. The cast remains mostly intact from the first movie with the exception of Chiron, who will now be played by Anthony Head.
This is by no means a complete list of adaptations. Tomorrow we will look at books that have been optioned but are not yet in production. There are some seriously good books waiting to be made into movies.
Which adaptation are you most looking forward to?
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