Rueben's Ramblings

At the end of 2013, I posted the sixth part of an ongoing series of articles about books that are being made into films. Since that time, I have been collecting details on more books that will be adapted to the big screen; and given how long it has been since I posted a new part to this series, it only seemed right to revisit the list. There are no specific timelines on when any of these films will be seen at your local theatre, but they are being developed nonetheless:

They appear in alphabetical order:

The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle

Atlantis (Trilogy) – CBS Films has secured the rights to the trilogy of sci-fi novels by A.G. Riddle (The Atlantis Gene, The Atlantis Plague and The Atlantis World). The first book in the series revolves around a brilliant geneticist and an international counterterrorism agent who team to thwart a global pandemic and solve the greatest mystery of all time: the truth behind the origins of humanity.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I’ll Give You The Sun – Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the young adult novel by Jandy Nelson (that will be on bookshelves next month). The book is a coming-of-age drama about teenage twins, Noah and Jude, who are both budding artists torn apart in the wake of a family tragedy. They are later reunited as they put the pieces back together and begin to define themselves not just as artists but as human beings as they process first love, betrayal, family, and the power of personal expression through art.

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Love Letters to the Dead – Fox 2000 has optioned the debut novel by Ava Dellaira that follows Laurel, a high school student whose beloved older sister has died under mysterious circumstances. Emotionally frayed by the loss, she unexpectedly finds catharsis in an assignment from her English teacher: write a letter to a dead person. Instead of handing in the assignment, though, she begins an ongoing series of letters to an eclectic group of rock stars, poets, and popular icons such as Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Amelia Earhart, and Amy Winehouse. She writes to her epistolary confidants about navigating new and complicated friendships, learning to live with her splintering family and falling in love for the first time. Ultimately, the letters reveal the painful truth about her past.

Merlin: The Lost Years by T. A. Barron

Merlin: The Lost Years – Disney is working on an adaptation of the T. A. Barron young adult book series for the big screen. The books center on a teen who will one day be the powerful mage who sits at the right hand of King Arthur. But first he has many lessons to master, including how to temper his darker leanings and his pride. Much of the action takes place on the enchanted isle of Fincayra, where the teen wizard embarks on many a quest with female companion Rhia and wannabe jester Bumbelwy. The antagonist is Rhita Gawr, a spirit world warlord.

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not A Drop To Drink – Fickle Fish Films (the production company of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight franchise) have optioned the rights to the debut young adult novel by Mindy McGinnis. The story centers on Lynn, whose survival in the dystopian world means protecting her precious freshwater pond against drought, snowless winters, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand. But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers are coming.

The Finished by David Baldacci

The Finisher – Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to the young adult novel by David Baldacci that centers on a regimented community named Wormwood that is surrounded by a forest filled with mysterious and dangerous beasts. When the 14-year old protagonist spies her mentor running into that forest, it sets the girl on a mystical adventure to find the truth about her town.

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

The Here and Now – Alcon Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment and 8:38 Productions have teamed to acquire the latest young adult novel by Ann Brashares (the woman behind The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series). The novel is an epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

The Wonder of All Things by Jason Mott

The Wonder Of All Things – Lionsgate has acquired the rights to the sophomore novel by Jason Mott (who wrote The Returned on which the ABC series Resurrection is based). The stories follows what happens when a pilot loses control of his plane during an air show and crashes into the stands. Two 13-year-old best friends, Wash and Ava, are trapped beneath the rubble. They are found by rescuers, but Wash is seriously injured, a chunk of steel protruding from his belly. Ava tries to help him by pulling free the metal, but blood rushes out; he’s dying. She panics and puts her hands on the wound, crying. When she pulls her hands away, the wound is gone, healed without a scar. Rescuers captured the miracle on their cell phone cameras. It goes up on YouTube, and she becomes the center of attention from media, scientists and religious leaders.

Only Everything (True Love Trilogy) by Kieran Scott

True Love – Boardwalk Entertainment Group and Not My Father’s Company have acquired the rights to this young adult book trilogy by Kieran Scott; the first book “Only Everything” came out in May of this year. The book series follows a teenage female Cupid named Eros who is expelled from Olympus for defying Zeus after falling in love with Orion. She is banished to (of all places) New Jersey — what she believes to be hell — and must match three couples without the use of her powers to save the love of her life from the wrath of the gods.

Given the proliferation of young adult novels being made into films it will be interesting to see how these adaptations turn out; especially to learn if they will become box office smashes or disasters.

Do you have a book you would like to see made into a film? Or do any of the above strike your fancy? Or would you rather not see any of the books listed above be made into a film for whatever reason? Please share.

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Back in October, I posted the fifth part of an ongoing series of articles about books being made into films. And the following list is the continuation of that series, but this time the list is comprised mainly of books that are set to be released in 2014 and are expected to hit the big screen at some point.

They appear in alphabetical order:

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Annihilation – Based on the Jeff VanderMeer novel of the same name that will hit bookstands in early 2014, Paramount Pictures is working on the “Southern Reach” trilogy that chronicles an expedition into a mysterious sealed off zone known as Area X. The area is labeled an environmental disaster zone, but to all appearances it is a pristine wilderness. Over three decades a secret agency has sent in expeditions to discover the truth. Some have never returned, others have reported nothing out of the ordinary. As the area itself seems to be expanding, the novels follow the next investigative team sent into the zone. Said team is lead by a biologist looking for her husband who disappeared on an earlier expedition.

Children of Paranoia by Trevor Shane

Children Of Paranoia – Based on the debut novel by Trevor Shane, CBS Films is adapting the story of a young assassin caught up in a global clandestine war that’s been raging for centuries. Everything changes when he falls in love with a woman who calls into question the world as he knows it. As he desperately fights to uncover the elusive truth behind the conflict, he begins to wonder which side he’s really on — good or evil.

Day One by Nate Kenyon

Day One – Macmillan Films will develop the science fiction novel by Nate Kenyon for the big screen. The story is set in the near future, detailing a journalist’s attempt to escape New York to rescue his pregnant wife and young son during the chaotic first twenty-four hours of a sentient computer takeover.

Half Bad by Sally Green

Half Bad – 20th Century Fox has acquired the right to the debut novel by Sally Green, set to be released in March of 2014, that is a contemporary supernatural thriller that takes place in a world inhabited by covert witches; one faction is good and the other evil. They are divided by hatred and united by one thing only: fear of a boy descended from both sides.

Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington

Liv, Forever – Offspring Entertainment will be producing the film based on the Amy Talkington novel of the same name – which is to hit bookstores in March of 2014 – that is about Liv Bloom, who is murdered shortly after arriving at a prestigious New England boarding school. Her spirit remains and with the help of two boys–one of whom she’s fallen for and the other she reluctantly is trusting–she tries to solve her own murder.

Seasons by Joe Halderman

Seasons – Based on the Joe Halderman sci-fi novella, which is part of the author’s 1985 short story collection called “Dealing In Futures” has been acquired by Sony Pictures. The story focuses on an anthropological expedition to a planet with sentient humanoids that goes horribly awry.

Sylo by D.J. MacHale

Sylo – The novel trilogy from D.J. MacHale has been set up at FOX 2000 and the Donners Company for release on the big screen. The series follow the inhabitants of a small island who find themselves cut off from the mainland by a mysterious government military force. A group of teens escape to the mainland, only to discover that the inhabitants of the United States have all but vanished, and that they were actually being kept safe. They try to discover the source of the invasion and fight back. The first book in the trilogy came out in July of 2013 with the second set to be published in March 2014 and the third book the fall of 2014.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season – 20th Century Fox has acquired the first of a seven-installment sci-fi novel series by Samantha Shannon that takes place in a futuristic London society, where a 19-year-old girl works in the criminal underworld because she is a dreamwalker, a rare clairvoyant who can break into people’s minds and see what they are thinking. She is kidnapped and whisked away to Oxford, an otherworldly place where dreamwalkers are used as soldiers and where she is held captive by a warden with mysterious motives. The intention is for her to remain incarcerated her whole life, but she tries to find a way into her captor’s mind.

The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard

The Drowned World – Warner Bros. and Heyday Films have optioned the classic 1962 novel by J.G. Ballard that is set during 2145 and imagines a terrifying world in which solar radiation has melted the ice caps. Jungles have overrun continental Europe and London is for the most part left submerged under water. The protagonist is a biologist who lives on the 35th floor of a high-rise, where only two floors sit above the water line. He battles a savage environment and primordial creatures that prowl the undergrowth.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

The Husband’s Secret – The book by Liane Moriarty has been acquired by CBS Films for the big screen. The novel follows three different women whose lives are plunged into crises after one of the women opens a Pandora’s Box that ties all three women together in ways no one could have suspected.

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Queen of the Tearling – Warner Bros. Pictures have acquired the rights to the upcoming fantasy trilogy by Erika Johansen – that does not come out in print until sometime in 2014 – with Harry Potter actress Emma Watson attached to star in a story set three centuries after an environmental catastrophe when a malevolent Red Queen holds considerable power.

The Right Hand by Derek Haas

The Right Hand – Universal Pictures has optioned the spy thriller novel by Derek Haas that focuses on Austin Clay, a spy whose work is so covert that the government won’t even admit he exists; and yet he executes necessary missions. In this fourth book by Haas that was released in November will find Clay tracking down a missing American operative, who was captured in the Russian countryside, which leads Clay into a conspiracy that involves a mole that has penetrated the top levels of U.S. government.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Thomas Sweterlitsch

Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Sony Pictures is adapting the Thomas Sweterlitsch novel – set to hit bookshelves in the summer of 2014 – that is set a decade after the destruction of Pittsburgh, following one survivor who discovers a scandalous cover-up regarding the city’s demise as he goes about creating a digital reproduction of the area.

Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

Trust Your Eyes – Warner Bros. will adapt the Linwood Barclay novel that is a Rear Window-style paranoid thriller about a map-obsessed schizophrenic savant who witnesses a murder in New York through a computer map program, and then convinces his brother to investigate. These impulses never end well, and the siblings find themselves smack in the center of a deadly political conspiracy.

To say the least, it will be interesting to see how these adaptations (and the books from the rest of this series) turn out; especially to learn if they will become box office smashes or disasters.

Do you have a book you would like to see made into a film? Or do any of the above strike your fancy? Or would you rather not see any of the books listed above be made into a film for whatever reason? Please share.

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A few weeks ago, I posted an article about books that are being made into films, which included Fallen, The 5th Wave and Vampire Academy [among others]. As promised, here are yet more books that are being made into films.

They appear in alphabetical order below:

Andrew Klavan Trilogy

Andrew Klavan Trilogy – Fox Hill Productions is putting the Andrew Klavan mystery trilogy “Dynamite Road”, “Shotgun Alley” and “Damnation Street” into development for the big screen. The trilogy is described as a neo-noir thriller about a private detective and a serial killer in pursuit of the same mysterious woman.

Angelica by Arthur Phillips

Angelica – Based on the novel by best-selling author Arthur Phillips, the film for Pierpoline Films, will star Jena Malone (Hatfields & McCoys) in a psychological thriller set in 1880s London. Malone will play Constance, a young shop girl who falls for and marries Dr. Joseph Barton. After the difficult childbirth of their daughter Angelica, the doctor-ordered celibacy creates a rift in the Bartons’ marriage and a ghostly force enters their home.

Heaven and Hell by Jon Kalman Steffansson

Heaven and Hell – The novel trilogy by Icelandic author Jon Kalman Steffansson follow the struggles of an Icelandic man living in a small fishing village at the turn of the 19th century has been optioned by Spellbound Productions and Cap Horn Film.

Hell Or High Water by Joy Castro

Hell Or High Water – The Joy Castro debut novel has been optioned by actress Zoe Saldana and producers Jane Startz and Aida Bernal that follows New Orleans reporter Nola Céspedes as she is dragged into the city’s post-Katrina underworld on the trail of what she thinks will be her big scoop.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Life After Life – Lionsgate is developing the Kate Atkinson novel for the big screen. The story is set against the backdrop of WWII, focusing on a young woman who discovers she has the ability to start her life from scratch.

Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud

Lockwood & Co. – Here is another film adaptation acquired by Universal Pictures based on the upcoming supernatural book series by Jonathan Stroud that follows a ramshackle psychic detective agency that contends with murderous specters and terrifying apparitions. Lockwood and his colleagues must seek a solution to an epidemic of ghosts known as “the Problem.”

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You – MGM has secured the film right to the novel by Jojo Moyes that tells the story of two very different characters: Lou, a small town girl caught between dead-end jobs and Will, a high-profile, successful man who becomes wheelchair bound following an accident. Will has decided his life is not worth living until Lou is hired for six months to be his new caretaker. Worlds apart and trapped together by circumstance, the two get off to a rocky start; but, Lou
becomes determined to prove to Will that life is worth living. As they embark on a series of adventures together, each finds their world changing in ways neither of them could begin to imagine.

Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Sorta Like A Rock Star – Fox Searchlight has acquired the rights to the 2010 novel by Matthew Quick (the author of Silver Linings Playbook). The story centers on Amber Appleton, a high school senior who secretly lives in the back of a school bus, a situation that arose when her mother’s boyfriend kicked them out. The bus (they call it Hello Yellow) is the same one that her mother uses to drive kids to school, and despite the adversity, Amber is a self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism. But, a fatal tragedy puts her optimism to the test.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The False Prince – Paramount has hired Bryan Cogman to adapt the novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen that is part of the Ascendance trilogy set in a distant land where crown prince is murdered, causing a nobleman to devise a plan to find someone to impersonate the king’s long-lost son to act as a puppet. An orphan finds himself chosen with three other boys in the running; but this is no mere competition — with court intrigue and political conspiracies make it a contest to the death.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans – DreamWorks Studios has acquired the debut novel by M.L. Stedman that is set on a remote Australian island in the years following World War I where a lighthouse keeper and his wife are faced with a moral dilemma when a boat washes ashore with a dead man and a 2-month-old infant. When they decide to raise the child as their own, the consequences of their choice are devastating.

Will Trent by Karin Slaughter

Will Trent – Yellow Bird has acquired the rights to the international best-selling Karin Slaughter book series that features Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent Will Trent, his partner Faith Mitchell and their legendary boss Amanda Wagner.

I will have at least one more list of books being made into films (if not more) in the next few months. And, as I have said before, it will be interesting to see how these adaptations turn out; especially to learn if they will become box office smashes or disasters.

Do you have a book you would like to see made into a film? Or do any of the above strike your fancy? Or would you rather not see any of the books listed above be made into a film for whatever reason? Please share.

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This past October, I posted two separate articles about books that are being made into films, which included The Maze Runner, Ender’s Game and The Giver (among others).

Once again, it’s been far too long since I’ve posted another article about books being made into films so here is yet another list of books that you can expect to see on the big screen sooner or later.

They appear in alphabetical order below:

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall – Based on the originally self-published novel by Susan Ee that was later released by Amazon Children’s Publishing has been optioned by Good Universe (and Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert). The plot begins six weeks after angels of the apocalypse descend to demolish the modern world, and street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her 17-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back, including making a deal with an enemy angel Raffe, a warrior who has been left bleeding and wingless. The two journey toward the angel’s stronghold where Penryn must risk everything to rescue her sister and Raffe must decide whether to put himself at the mercy of his enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

Elusion – Based on the upcoming young-adult novel by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam, Silver Reel will develop the contemporary sci-fi thriller about two love-struck teenagers who discover that the wildly popular game created by their wunderkind best friend, which uses deep hypnosis to transport users to a virtual alternate world, is actually much more sinister than it appears.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen – Mayhem Pictures and Lotus Entertainment are adapting the Lauren Kate best-selling young adult novel series about an alienated girl torn between two charismatic young men. She is unaware that they are fallen angels who have battled over her for centuries. The cast will include actress Addison Timlin (Zero Hour and Californication) and actor Jeremy Irvine (War Horse).

Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree

Flyy Girl – Lionsgate will adapt the book by best-selling author Omar Tyree that is a coming-of-age story that explores the journey of a young woman motivated by the material life who plunges into a fast-paced world of gratuitous sex, violence and heartbreak in an attempt to find herself and to assess her goals in life during the modern Hip-Hop era.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay – Based on the Gayle Forman novel that is slated to star Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass and the upcoming Carrie remake) about a relationship between a young classical musician and her indie rock boyfriend. Director R.J. Cutler (Nashville) has lined this project up as his first feature film.

Juliet by Anne Fortier

Juliet – Based on the book by Anne Fortier, Paramount Pictures will move forward with the film adaptation of the story of a young woman who learns that the legend of Romeo and Juliet is actually real, and that Shakespeare’s version was simply the most popular retelling.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave – Columbia Pictures is adapting the Rick Yancey novel about a 16-year-old heroine who survives an alien invasion only to search for her brother, who may have been abducted by human-looking extraterrestrials. The girl is helped by a boy who may also be an alien in disguise.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys – New Line Cinema has picked up the rights to the book based on the Maggie Stiefvater novel that revolves around the offspring of psychic parents who’s told that if she finds her true love and kisses him, he will die.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind – Based on the young adult sci-fi novel by Neal Shusterman, Constantin Film has picked up the rights to the book that is set in an America following a second Civil War where the fight is over (of all things) abortion. Under a new law, no life can be taken until the age of 13, but from 13 to 17 parents and guardians can “unwind” (which means harvesting a person’s organs) any child they want.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy – Reliance Entertainment and IM Global are behind the feature film adaptation of the popular six-volume book series by Richelle Mead that will star actress Zoey Deutch (Beautiful Creatures and Ringer) and Australian newcomer Lucy Fry in the lead roles. The story focuses on the tale of Rose Hathaway, a 17-year-old girl who has a mental and spiritual bond with her vampire best friend Lissa. The two girls attend a special school for vampires who struggle to retain some humanity while other vampires become more feral.

I will have several more lists of books being made into films over the course of the next few months. And, as I have said before, it will be interesting to see how these adaptations turn out; especially to learn if they will become box office smashes or disasters.

Do you have a book you would like to see made into a film? Or do any of the above strike your fancy? Or would you rather not see any of the books listed above be made into a film for whatever reason? Please share.

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