Since films were introduced into our society, books have been adapted for our screens. For example, the Lord of the Rings trilogy in the early Noughties, the Harry Potter series throughout the 21st century and more recently the Great Gatsby. However, lately, it has become even more noticeable that the film industry is looking to the pages of authors instead of the manuscripts of screenwriters. So here is my list of Top Ten books to films for 2013 and 2014
10. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Director: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Simon Beaufoy/ Michael Arndt
Cast:
Jennifer Lawrence
Josh Hutcherson
Liam Hemsworth
Woody Harrelson
Budget: $140 million
Catching Fire is the second in the Hunger Games trilogy. For me, it is still one of my favourite dystopian series of all time. For those of you all who don’t know, the story follows a young girl called Katniss living in a post-apocalyptic world where her day-to-day life is controlled by the Capitol, who enforce their rule with an army of Peacekeepers, inhumane punishments and of course, the Hunger Games. A story about freedom, justice and revolution, the Hunger Games speaks for us all.
I personally felt the first film didn’t do it justice, as did many other Hunger Games fans. However, it is rumoured that after the poor reception of the first film – which I put down to the film makers trying to make it the next Twilight – they have decided to forget the boring cinematic romances and make Catching Fire as tremendous and suspenseful as the book.
It is released in the United Kingdom today and the United States tomorrow, on 22nd November, and with the budget of $140 million, may the odds ever be in their favour.
9. The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Director: Harald Zwart
Screenplay by: Jessica Postigo Paquette
Cast:
Lily Collins
Jamie Campbell Bower
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Lena Headey
Budget: $60 million
Release Date: 21st August 2013
The City of Bones is the first in the Mortal Instruments series, which takes a different angle to the underground fantasy world, unlike usual writers. In the story, a race of people called Shadow Hunters are introduced to us; they are Nephilim or half Angel half human to the rest of us. They are like the police of the vampire, Shapeshifter, witch etc world. They also kill demons. The story follows Clary, a human (or mundane) who can see the Shadow Hunters. She is then brought into the world when her mother is kidnapped and she begins to fall for Jace, who is also a Shadow Hunter. What I did like about this story was, although it was typical young adult romance, how strong Clary was a character. Like Katniss in Hunger Games, she would not allow men to distract her from her goal. Throughout the series, she stays strong and very much a character girls should idolise. Clary is up there with some of my favourite characters.
8. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
Author: Rick Riordan
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Screenplay by: Marc Guggenheim
Cast:
Logan Lerman
Brand T Jackson
Stanley Tucci
Alexandra Daddario
Budget: $90 million
Release Date: 7th August 2013
Let me start by saying two things: One, this film is far better than it should be, and two, the director’s name is Thor. What more can I say?
From the clockwork bull fight at the beginning of this film to the fight with the Hydra in the previous, it is full of action and the characters are not only strong and likeable but funny too. Unlike a lot of films aimed at this age range where the plots are weak, the jokes aren’t funny and it leaves you rolling your eyes and wondering about the state of the younger generation, the Percy Jackson series is proving itself to be not only funny, suspenseful but even educational.
Not only does the story pack itself full of Greek mythology, but nearly all of it is correct, except from the few things they’ve changed for a comical point – which I can forgive. Following the story of a young boy, Percy, who is the son of Poseidon, and the camp in which he lives which is filled with other sons and daughters of Gods, it is an exhilarating and fast-moving adventure film where you get to meet many other mythical creatures.
Both the first and second films as good as each other and I personally think they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
7. Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Director: Mark Waters
Screenplay by: Daniel Waters
Cast:
Zoey Deutch
Danila Kozlovsky
Lucy Fry
Dominic Sherwood
Budget: $30 Million
Release Date: 14th February 2014
This is a book I haven’t actually read but I know a lot of my readers and fantasy fans have.
The book it’s based upon (by the same name) was a best-seller in 2007 and also has a different take on this world that we’re all so infatuated with these days.
It follows the story of 17-year-old half-blood Rose Hathaway who attends a secret boarding school called St Vladimir’s Academy. As usual, it has a romance and a threat, but sadly, as much as we try to deny it, we all adore a good love peril story. Especially when it involves vampires, now blood-suckers are so desirable. Fortunately, we can thank True Blood and Vampire Diaries for making male vampires hotter than Edward Cullen!
From the director of Mean Girls, I think I can safely say we have a bitchy chick-flick that bites, to look forward to next year.
6. The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Author: Neil Gaiman
Director: Joe Wright
Screenplay by: Not Released
Cast: Not Released
Budget: Not Released
Release Date: Not Released
Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can this be on a top ten list when barely anything has been released about the film, as well as the fact the book was only released this June! The film rights were acquired by Focus Features in February before it was even published! Though Gaiman has had two of his books made into films: Stardust and Coraline – only one of which I enjoyed! However…
Again, haven’t read the book (it’s on my long list) but the story follows the unnamed protagonist who has returned to his hometown in Sussex, England, to attend a funeral. However, upon his return, his suppressed memories of his childhood friend Lettie Hempstock and their adventures begin to reveal themselves. It is said to be told with ‘a rare understanding of all that makes us human’. I’ve got shivers.
Definitely one to read and with Tom Hanks producing it and Joe Wright directing it (Atonement/ Pride and Prejudice) the film should be an incredible master piece too.
5. If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Director: R J Cutler
Screenplay by: Shauna Cross
Cast:
Chloe Grace Moretz
Mireille Enos
Lauren Lee Smith
Jamie Blackley
Budget: Not Released
Release Date: In Production
Published in 2009, If I Stay is about a 17-year-old girl, Mia, as she deals with the aftermath of a terrible car crash. Whilst in a coma, Mia has an out of body experience where she watches her family and friends gather around her bedside, as well as seeing her memories flash before her eyes until finally, she realises she has a choice; stay or go.
Sounds like a rather simple story line. I would compare it to The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Before I Die by Jenny Downham, if only for the profoundness and thought-provoking aspect of the story. It makes you question your humanity and asks those questions that none of us are willing to talk about.
I can honestly say I’m rather excited about this one.
4. The 100
Author: Kass Morgan
Developed by: Jason Rothenberg
Screenplay by: Jason Rotherberg (Kass Morgan Episode 1)
Cast:
Eliza Taylor
Henry Ian Cusick
Paige Turco
Kelly Hu
Budget: Not Released
Release Date: Midseason debut (US)/ UK release on E4 (2014)
Only published September this year! It amazes again how quickly the film and television industry is picking up books these days. Soon to airing as a television series on the US channel CW, home to The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl, The 100 has big shoes to fill, especially as it’s already been compared to The Hunger Games and Lost! Wow, very big shoes.
The story is set a hundred years after a nuclear war, where the surviving civilisation live in spaceship cities live far above Earth’s radioactive surface. The ruling government then decide to send one hundred juvenile delinquents on a dangerous mission down to Earth to recolonize and take back their land before it’s too late.
Okay, so the whole thing does remind me of Will Smith’s latest film, but with so much hype and E4 picking it up so quickly – even though it hasn’t been aired yet! – I have a feeling The 100 could be the next big thing. It may even tread on Game of Throne’s heels in the future – which happens to be another book adaptation!
3. How I Live Now
Author: Meg Rosof
Director: Kevin McDonald
Screenplay by: Jeremy Brock/ Tony Grisoni/ Penelope Skinner
Cast:
Saoirse Ronan
George MacKay
Tom Holland
Anna Chancellor
Budget: Not Released
Release Date: 4th October 2013
I can safely say that out of all of the films on this list and the dystopian books I’ve read, this has got to be the most frightening, thought-provoking and realistic of them all. Both the film and the book left me feeling very on-edge and made me ask myself ‘Who would I protect when it comes to the end?’
Published in 2004, the story follows Elizabeth (or Daisy), an American girl through and through, sent to stay with her cousins on a remote farm in England. Although at first, determined to stick to her ways, she soon settles in and embraces her cousins’ way of life, as well as falling for her cousin Edmond. Sadly, the rosiness doesn’t last and World War 3 breaks out causing the separation of Daisy and Edmond. However, she is determined to find her way back to the farm, and so she runs away from house placement with her little cousin entail, and slowly they make their back home facing all sorts of trials and tribulations along the way.
This story is one of the most profound stories I’ve seen that depicts World War 3. It dives into your humanity and uncovers survival techniques – most of which we no longer have. It made me question things like ‘do I know how to light a fire?’ or ‘run for miles without stopping?’ or even fashion a weapon or set traps to catch animals.
Kevin Macdonald has done a great job of bringing this story to life and with Saoirse Ronan as the protagonist, you truly believed the story. When they were terrified, you were terrified. You held your breath with them and felt their hunger. Truly outstanding.
2. Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Director: Wes Ball
Screenplay by: Noah Oppenheim
Cast:
Dylan O’Brien
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Kaya Scodelario
Will Poulter
Budget: Not Released
Release Date: 19th September 2014
I don’t know about you, readers who have read Maze Runner, but I cannot contain my excitement for the film adaptation of this book! I was glued to every page of all three novels in this series and when I heard it was becoming a film I was beside myself with anticipation.
Not only was it a completely new concept for the dystopian genre, but you do not see the twists coming which is all the more exciting. Plus, the monsters are scarier and like nothing anyone’s seen before. So different you can’t quite comprehend them in your head. Picture your worst nightmare and multiply it by a fuckload.
Set in a completely unknown time, place or state, a young boy named Thomas wakes up inside an elevator only to have it opened by a group of boys. He remembers nothing.
However, once introduced into the community that is made up entirely of young boys, Thomas learns that they are trapped inside a glade within a maze that is situated beyond high stone walls. He joins forces with the ‘Runners’ who leave the Glade every day to search for a way out, whilst making sure they avoid the Grievers that lurk within the maze and that they’re back inside before the walls close at dusk. For a while, Thomas and the other boys’ minds are focused on normal life within the Glade and finding an escape in the maze. However, when a female recruit arrives inside the elevator, everything changes.
Intriguing right?! It is a must read and with the film being released next year, you’d better get reading. This story is full of suspense, fear and the unknown. It is nothing like what you’ve read before. I can’t compare it anything else because Maze Runner is original. One of a kind.
Plus, Fox has acquired the film rights to the second, Scorch Trials, so it looks like we may just get three films with the same juicy terrifying adventure. Be prepared.
“If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human”
1. Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Director: Neil Burger
Screenplay by: Evan Daugherty/ Vanessa Taylor
Cast:
Shailene Woodley
Theo James
Zoe Kravitz
Kate Winslet
Budget: $80 million
Release date: 21st March 2014
Following the story of Beatrice Prior, a teenager living in a futuristic world where your life after sixteen is determined by what decision you make in the selection process. Whether you chose to stay in your Faction with your family and friends, or choose to live in another and leave everything you know. After leaving Abnegation, the selfless, for Dauntless, the brave, ‘Tris’ discovers she is not like other people. She is Divergent, and people like her are a threat to the Utopic society she lives. So when an authoritarian leader threatens to eradicate her kind, Tris has to prove more than her bravery to her society.
Although a unique dystopian story, Tris is just as strong as the likes of Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games. It is an intricate story, with many threads and threats that keeping appearing, however, the journey along the way is what makes this book suspenseful and worth the read. And apparently worth making it into a film too. I look forward to seeing this futuristic world and story on the big screen.
Bonus
As a bonus, I thought I might add Fifty Shades of Grey into here.
As many of you may know, I’m not the biggest fan of this raunchy piece of fiction – to say the least – and I was amused to hear that someone was turning it into a film…
From actresses such as Emma Watson to Shailene Woodley to play Ana, and actors from Chris Hemsworth to his brother Liam to play Mr Grey, it was announced in September this year that Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson would be playing the infamous two.
It’s being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – you may know her as Aaron Johnson’s much older wife. She happens to be a photographer and a short film director. It makes sense she would try to take on a story that no other director in their right mind would touch.
Lately, I heard a rumour that Dakota Johnson was pulling out of the role. This is down to the fact she was being asked to do things that not even 90s Nicole Kidman would do. Seems as if Taylor-Johnson is taking this a bit too far and may end up making it a porno – hey, the story is a glorified cheap porno anyway.
Yes, the book is erotic fiction, but you could quite easily make the appalling piece of fiction into a tasteful film without turning it into a porno. As I said before, no director in their right mind would attempt to adapt the kinky novel (using the term novel loosely).
With the release date set to 13th February 2015, I reckon this film will never reach our screens – or I can hope. It will be pushed back again and again to a point where no one will care anymore. I think Fifty Shades of Grey is a great book – to use as cat litter.
And so that concludes my Top Ten books to films to watch out for in 2013 and 2014. Keep your eyes peeled and remember…. Read the book first! Tweet me @jodimay15 if you have any favourite book to film adaptations!