For an updated list of 2012 premieres of film adaptations, CLICK HERE.
With written works from Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games to Shakespeare’s Coriolanus materialized on the big screen, what else can we anticipate in this year and next?
Here’s an update of some upcoming film adaptations from literary works. Great choices for book groups too.
A Most Wanted Man by John Le Carré
On the heels of the acclaimed “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, this time, Philip Seymour Hoffman is the man. Directed by Anton Corbijn whose last film was the deep and thoughtful “The American“, a film I found to be much better than the book.
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Finally, dates are set for the premiere: Sept. 7 in the UK, Nov. 9 in the US. I look forward to this one: Tom Stoppard screenplay, Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) directs, Keira Knightly as Anna, Matthew MacFadyen Oblonzky, Jude Law Alexai, Aaron Johnson Count Vronsky, and Downton Abbey‘s Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) as Princess Myagkaya, plus many other British stars.
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Winner of multiple awards and shortlisted for a Booker in 2004, the apocalyptic novel is adapted by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and The Wachowski’s (Matrix’s). Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw (Bright Star), Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent. Here’s Susan Sarandon’s take on the production.
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The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud
Some big names affiliated with this project are Richard Gere, Eric Bana, Keira Knightly, Emma Thompson, Rachel McAdams. Director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) on board. But I can find no more news after this announcement, which is fine, gives me more time to get to the book first. It’s been on my TBR list for a few years now.
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Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
To coincide with the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens and the Olympics in London, Mike Newell (Enchanted April, Four Weddings and a Funeral) directs, screenplay by David Nicholl (One Day, Tess of d’Urbervilles, When Did You Last See Your Father) who may be also writing the third Bridget Jones movie. Ralph Fiennes is Magwitch, Helena Bonham Carter Miss Havisham, Jeremy Irvine, Pip.
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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
What will F. Scott think when he sees his masterpiece produced in 3D in the 21st Century? Woody: do give us a sequel to “Midnight In Paris” with your brilliant imagination. Australian director Bez Luhrmann is poised to bring us this new version of Gatsby in 3D, which I’m sure will stir up lots of discussions. It has already. But no matter how I dislike 3D (except Hugo), I want to see Leo DiCaprio play Jay G., Carey Mulligan, Daisy B., and Tobey Maguire, Nick C. Do Click Here to read a Guardian preview close to 3D.
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Kenneth Branagh will direct Kate Winslet in this popular novel about the power of literature in desperate wartime. This is a reprise of their cooperation from 1996, when Branagh, as Hamlet, also directed Winslet as Ophelia. No dates have been set for its production or release, but something to keep in mind.
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The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Coming out in three parts. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in 2012, and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ in Dec. 2013, and ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again’ in July, 2014. Peter Jackson attempts to reprise his Rings Trilogy magic. Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom… the whole gang. Again, we’ll get to see beautiful New Zealand as setting.
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The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens by Claire Tomalin
Claire Tomalin’s account of Charles Dickens’ affair with the young writer Nelly Ternan will be brought to screen with script from Abi Morgan (Shame, The Iron Lady) to be directed by Ralph Fiennes, who will play Dickens himself. To add to the rave, Kristin Scott Thomas is also on board. Felicity Jones will be playing Nelly Ternan. Fiennes never ceases to amaze us with his versatility, after directing Shakespeare’s Coriolanus in postmodern style.
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Tom Hooper of “The King’s Speech” directs an all star cast in this musical offering. Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert (is he going to sing too?), Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway join in the chorus. Just too bad Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth are missing here. Release date for North America is Dec. 2012, which means it can be a contender in next Awards Season.
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Director Ang Lee picked 17 year-old Suraj Sharma of Delhi, India, from 3,000 teenagers to play Pi Patel. Interesting that Tobey MacGuire will play Yann Martel, the author of the book which won the 2002 Man Booker Prize. The film to be shot in 3D has a December 2012 release date. Again, films opening in December usually have eye on the next Awards Season. Will keep our eyes peeled.
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Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
The Booker of Bookers winning work will see its author Salman Rushdie team up with acclaimed Canadian director Deepa Mehta in the film adaptation. Mehta in a recent interview hinted it will debut either at the Venice or the Toronto Film Festival this fall. You can still join us for a slow Read-Along of Midnight’s Children before the film comes out.
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On the drawing board of Dreamwork and Working Title. Who can take the helm to reprise an adaptation made famous by Alfred Hitchcock, and actors to replace Sir Laurence Olivier as Mr. de Winter and Joan Fontaine as the new Mrs? Now, why does Carey Mulligan emerges in my mind… and Michael Fassbender…
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What Maisie Knew by Henry James
Looks like a good classic to read before seeing the movie. Julianne Moore and Alexander Skarsgård lead the cast. I’ve enjoyed previous Henry James adaptations of The Wings of the Dove, The Golden Bowl, and The Portrait of a Lady. Look forward to this one.
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Books to be turned into TV series:
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
To be adapted into an HBO TV series with an all-star cast under the helm of Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale). Stars include Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans, Dianne Wiest, Chris Cooper and Greta Gerwig. But, will the author be involved in any of the writing?
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A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Again, HBO has bought the rights to this one. The 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner is to be adapted into a half-hour TV series.
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The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Yet again, it’s HBO that will be developing the novel into a TV drama series, another project by the “uber producer” Scott Rudin, who also oversees “The Corrections.”
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What are some of your most anticipated films or books in the coming year(s)?
Ripple Effects 
I’m really looking forward to The Hobbit and The Guernsey Literary….
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Ellen
The Hobbit might come out much sooner than Guernsey I think…
Arti
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A movie of Cloud Atlas? That is one book I would never think, gee, this would make a great movie! Part of the book’s wonderfulness is its structure, how does that get turned into a film? I am, however, very much looking forward to the Hobbit 🙂
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Stefanie,
The film could be a totally different entity altogether. So, you’ll never know. Click on my link to the interview with SS, maybe that will shed more light for you as to how they do it.
Arti
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I hope this doesn’t taint the integrity of your site or this thoughtful post but I just read in The New York Times online that Universal has acquired the movie rights to the “50 Shades of Grey” series http://nyti.ms/GSjbDy.
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lameadventures,
LOL! I’ve been living under
a rockThe Rockies. And for someone without an eReader, I’m not aware of this Trilogy, not that I’d be a fan even if I’ve one. But thanks for alerting me. As James Schamus said in the article, the film version would most likely be toned down substantially to reach a wider audience… the true fans could well be disappointed. 😉Arti
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There’s so much to get excited about here! My book club likes to do one book/film combination per year, but with so many great choices ahead, we may have to increase it to every six months.
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JoAnn,
Since it’s both the bicentenary of Dickens’ birth and the Olympics, a Dickens title may be an apt choice. Claire Tomalin’s The Invisible Woman sounds like a good read for discussion. And I need to add in one more Great Expectations film version here, and that’s coming up this Sunday on PBS Masterpiece April 1 & 8. CLICK HERE to get more details.
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Cannot wait to see so many of those.
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Indeed. Lots to get excited about.
A.
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What a fascinating line up! I, too, would like to read The Emperor’s Children before seeing the film. I’m particularly interested in What Maisie Knew and The Great Gatsby. I’m also in awe of anyone trying to film Cloud Atlas – but Susan Sarandon is such a talented woman, she can do it if anyone can!
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litlove,
Welcome back! Yes, there are books that I need to read before seeing the movies. And I missed an important one for the list, but have added in now, and that’s Midnight’s Children! Our first post (Book One) will be up March 31. Your opinion will be much welcome since you’ve read the book last year.;)
Arti
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Don’t forget the Masterpiece adaptation of Great Expectations with Gillian Anderson coming in April and Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dickens’ unfinished novel, right after that. (Someone finished it.) Ah — reading back over the comments you’ve got that. I’ve got the preview DVD on my desk and hope to get to it before it gets on the air! Masterpiece is also doing “Birdsong.” WWI novel adaptation and the author is just skirting my brain this early morning. Looking forward to Gatsby and Life of Pi, a book I never thought I would enjoy and couldn’t put down!
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Jeanie,
Thanks for all the PBS heads-up! Yes, April 1 and 8 for Great Expectations on Masterpiece. I’ll definitely watch for it. I’d enjoyed Gillian Anderson in Bleak House. I’m not sure about Pi… but am really looking forward to Gatsby. Carey Mulligan is a fantastic young star and I wish her all the best. BTW, she was in Bleak House too.
Arti
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Ooh! I’m bookmarking this post as a checklist for this year!! Thanks for all the great info!
I am most anxious to see Anna Karenina! Excited for lots of these though!
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Alison,
Welcome! Glad you find the list helpful. I hope we can have more discussions when the movies come on the big screen. That’ll be fun. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Arti
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Thanks for the detailed update! Always enjoy your posts!
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D,
Hey… hope you’ll have a chance to see some of these movies.
Arti
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Very interesting. And I look forward to your reviews as much as the films themselves.
A remake of “Rebecca” will have quite a bit to live up to. It’s one of my favorite movies, and it almost pains me to think of a new one. Silly, I know.
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Ruth,
Yes, I know what you mean about ‘Rebecca’. Let’s hope some quality director and cast could rise to the challenge.
Arti
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OK. It’s late Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been sitting here trying to catch up on things all day. I have a computer headache and my eyes are watery because of the pollen in the air, and I just had the best idea. 😉
We’ve got such a creative bunch here – why don’t we have our own books-to-film festival, say in a year. Year and a half, so everyone has time to do it. Write a short story, and then do a video to go with it. I think that would be the biggest hoot in the world!
We could even hand out awards. I think they should be called “Artis”. It would be fun to do in conjunction with all the watching and reviewing of the “big films”
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Linda,
Love your imagination… If there ever were ‘Artis’ to be given out, they must be ‘lifetime achievement’ awards, for it just might take our life time to reach that point. Of course, that may not be our wildest dreams, be a screenwriter and filmmaker. Why, that’s what some of us are dwelling upon day in and out. Good… keep fanning… 😉
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Don’t forget about Susanne Bier’s adaptation of Ron Rash’s Serena set to star Jennifer Lawrence.
Corbin’s take on LeCarre has my attention.
Ang Lee doing Life of Pi should be interesting…though I’m not too keen on Toby Maguire.
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David,
Thanks for the heads up. I admit I haven’t heard of the novel but upon Googling, I know what I’ve missed. Would you say that will be something like ‘No Country for Old Man’? I really enjoyed Susanne Bier’s ‘In A Better World’. Corbijn’s Le Carré adaptation is something to watch for… Have you seen ‘The American’? It’s one of the best action/thriller films I’ve seen in recent years.
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Arti – no, I would say Serena is nothing like No Country for Old Men. It’s more There Will Be Blood meets MacBeth – during the Depression in the Carolina highlands. It’s one of my favorite novels of recent memory – wickedly entertaining and very brooding. I’m not sure how Bier will handle it – but we’ll see.
The American was very stylish, and it seems Corbijn could do Le Carre justice – one hopes.
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Oh – and here’s my review of the novel –
http://theschleicherspin.com/2008/10/25/a-review-of-ron-rashs-serena/
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David,
Thanks for the link!
Arti
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Loved reading “A Visit from the Goon Squad”, could make a great tv-series, looking forward to it!
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Sigrun,
Feel free to bookmark these lists to see how the film / TV development come along.
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When someone writes an article he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user
can understand it. Therefore that’s why this paragraph is perfect. Thanks!
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Arielle,
Welcome and thanks! And… it’s a she. Hope to hear from you again. 😉
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