Books to Screen Acquisitions

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Michelle Langston

Every studio is hot on the trail for the next Twilight Saga or Hungers Games. It seems that there is news every few days about another hot YA title making the jump from the page to the screen. Here’s a rundown of a few hot YA titles that will be in a movie theater in the not-too-distant future:

Driven by strong online buzz, New Line acquired the rights to the YA series, Black City, by Elizabeth Richards, prior to the November 13 release of the first book in the series.
New Line has acquired the rights to Maggie Stiefvater’s YA book, The Raven Boys.
Universal snagged Amanda Hocking’s wildly successful Trylle Trilogy, as well as Daugher of Smoke and Bone from Laini Taylor.
Summit acquired rights to Veronica Roth’s Divergent.
Paramount acquired rights to Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck.

And for news on a a title that is definitely NOT for young adults….

It seems I can’t escape it anywhere. I see friends posting about it on Facebook. I heard people whispering about it at the bookstore. A co-worker keeps asking me when I plan to read it. Even the barista at my favorite coffee shop asked me if I had read it yet. So today, I publicly confess. No, I haven’t read , Fifty Shades of Grey, but the buzz on the book to screen adaptation has been hard to ignore.

Kelly Marcel in Hyde Park, London, Britain – 19 Aug 2011

So far, there has been loads of speculation and armchair quarterbacking about casting choices and who will direct the film. Fans of the book got a little bit of information earlier this week about who will adapt E.L. James’ book. Focus Features confirmed in a press release Monday that Kelly Marcel will pen the book for the big screen. Marcel is known for her work on the TV series Terra Nova, and the upcoming Tom Hanks film Saving Mr. Banks.

Excited about any of these books to screen acquisitions? Any books out there that you hope get a big screen treatment soon? Leave a comment and let’s discuss!

Feast Your Eyes on These Books-to-Screen Trailers!

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Michelle Langston

While I attempt to rid myself of the whatever crud has invaded my body for the past two weeks, I thought it might be best to NOT submit you to my cold medication-induced ramblings. Instead, I’m going to let you feast your book-lovin’ eyes on the trailers for five book-to-film adaptations, all coming soon to a theater near you. Leave me a comment and let me know which ones make your “must-see” list!

Everyone Loves a Spy. James Bond Back in Theaters with SKYFALL.

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Michelle Langston

If the opening ceremonies for the Olympics is any indication, everyone, including Her Majesty The Queen, loves a good spy. And Bond fever is certainly building. 007 returns to the big screen for the twenty-third film in the Bond franchise, SKYFALL. The release (October 26 in the U.K. / November 9 in the U.S.) coincides with the 50^th Anniversary of the film series, which began in 1962 with DR. NO.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition), SKYFALL marks the return of Daniel Craig for his third appearance as James Bond, and stars Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) as Bond villain, Raoul Silva. Rounding out the cast are Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw as the new “Q,” and Judi Dench reprising her role as “M.”

Interestingly enough, SKYFALL is not based on any published material from Ian Fleming, and is not carry-over the story from either of the previous Daniel Crag Bond films, CASINO ROYALE or QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

One of the best things to me about Bond films it that I know what I’m getting…great action sequences, interesting villains, cars I wish were in my garage, first class costuming, exotic locales, and inventive gadgetry.

I’m also a big fan of one-sheet (poster) art, and I always look forward to seeing what the poster will look like for each new Bond film. One of these days, I’m going to complete my collection of Bond movie posters (right after I win the lottery and also buy me an Aston Martin DB5). In the meantime, I think I’m going to need to pre-order the hardcover book, James Bond: 50 Years of Movie Posters, set for release on September 3.

Gregg Williams’ third in the series of Bond photography books, Bond on Set: Filming SKYFALL also hits the shelves on October 1. This incredibly talented photographer captures candid photos on the set of the film, offering a unique view of the cast, filmmakers, and the filmmaking process. Plus, who doesn’t want to look at lots of great photos of Daniel Craig. Surely, I’m not alone on this.

Get a look at the latest trailer for SKYFALL. Then leave me a comment, and tell me some of your favorite Bond things…films, villains, leading ladies, gadgets, etc. To stay up-to-date on SKYFALL, visit the film’s official website.

Les Misérables Gets Reboot

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Michelle Langston

Victor Hugo’s classic novel Les Misérables once again gets a reboot, and this time for the big-screen. The December film release from Universal Pictures is based on Boublil and Schönberg’s stage musical, which is the longest running musical of all-time. The film is directed by Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”), and features a talented casts including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. And yes, they will all be singing!Here’s a look at some of the photos from the set, along with a the new trailer for the film. I have a feeling I’m going to have to set-up a Girl’s Night Out for this one. Who’s with me?

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean

Russell Crowe as Javert

Anne Hathaway as Fantine

Amanda Seyfried as Cosette

Three Book to Screen Adaptations to Look Forward To!

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Michelle Langston

Now that the HUNGER GAMES is on the big screen, and my anticipation has been satiated with three trips to the theater to see the film, I finally feel like the fangirl fog has lifted and I can start concentrating on some other book to screen titles.

Here’s just a short list of films I’m looking forward to. Leave me a comment and tell me what 2012 book to screen adaptations are on your radar too!

THE WETTEST COUNTY – Starring Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf and Guy Pearce

Set for a fall release, this film based on the novel The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, is set in Depression-era Virginia, where a bootlegging gang is threatened by authorities who want a cut of their profits.

Tom Hardy in THE WETTEST COUNTY

THE GREAT GATSBY – Starring Leonard DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire

DiCaprio teams once again with director Baz Luhrmann for this film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic. Look for the movie to hit theaters this December.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in THE GREAT GATSBY

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY – Starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm and Billy Connolly.

Peter Jackson returns to direct what the film I’m most looking forward to this year. Hobbit Bilbo Baggins will lead us all on his unexpected journey to the Lonely Mountain with a group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. My inner nerd will be screaming like a small child until the film comes out this December.