Category Archives: Optioned Books

Live Stage Show Of The Hunger Games Will Debut In 2016

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“The Hunger Games” is being adapted again, this time for stage. A live performance of the post apocalyptic tale will hit the stage in London sometime in 2016. However, this won’t be just any performance, a brand new theater specifically for this production is being built to house the performance.

The theater will be built next to London’s Wembley stadium. Tim Palen of Lionsgate has said that famed producer and Image Nation co-founder Robin de Levita and his collaborators are the perfect fit to bring “The Hunger Games” to the stage. He said,

“Their creative genius combined with world-class production values and state-of-the-art technology will provide a uniquely immersive experience for fans around the world.”

It is currently unclear how they will go about adapting the three-part novel series to stage. But in the meantime, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, in theaters worldwide on November 21st.

Netflix Brings Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to Series

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Netflix is bringing us another original series by way of “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.” The 2004 YA novel series was originally adapted into film starring Jim Carrey but will now become a live action television series on Netflix.

The novel series has 13 books in the series so there is no shortage of book material for Netflix to adapt. The books follow the darkly humorous visual world of Violet, Klaus, and little Sunny Baudelaire, three orphans who are doggedly pursued by their distant cousin/uncle Count Olaf.

Cindy Holland, VP Original Content at Netflix, said,

“On the search for fantastic material that appeals to both parents and kids, the first stop for generations of readers is ‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events. The world created by Lemony Snicket is unique, darkly funny and relatable. We can’t wait to bring it to life for Netflix members.”

Netflix has not yet signed a director for the upcoming original series. There is no word yet on when production will begin or who Netflix is eyeing to star.

Ridley Scott to Produce Sequel Series to 2001: A Space Odyssey

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Ridley Scott has announced his plans to create a sequel miniseries to the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The miniseries, titled 3001: The Final Odyssey, is based on Arthur C. Clarke’s 1997 novel of the same name which is the final book in Clarke’s Odyssey series.

The series will begin with the discovery of Frank Poole’s frozen body floating in space. Poole will then return to Earth (it’s now the year 3001) and find that life has changed a lot.

Stuart Beattie will write the adaptation. He said,

“I have always been a fan of Clarke’s extraordinary Odyssey series, and certainly Kubrick’s adaptation of 2001. I am thrilled to be part of bringing that legacy to audiences and continuing the great cinematic tradition that this story and its creators deserve.”

3001: The Final Odyssey is excepted to release sometime in 2015. There is no word on who will star in miniseries.

Michael Bay Adapting “13 Hours”

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Michael Bay has reportedly has signed on to adapt the big screen version of Mitchell Zuckoff’s recently released novel, “13 Hours.”

The novel is officially described as follows:

“13 Hours” presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack.”

Chuck Hogan  has already gotten to work and adapted the screenplay for the project. Erwin Stoff is producing the film for Paramount Pictures.

Currently, “13 Hours” is supposedly being made with a smaller budget than Bay’s previous films are known for. There is no word on when production will begin or who the studio is eyeing to star.

AMC Picks Up The Night Manager With Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston

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The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that AMC has officially picked up a bid to partner with the BBC to release a miniseries based on the novel, “The Night Manager.” The 6 – 8 part miniseries stars Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston.

The novel was originally released in 1993 by John le Carre. The tale follows former British soldier Jonathan Pine in his new line of work as a night auditor for a luxurious hotel, where he meets a French-Arab woman named Sophie with ties to Richard Onslow Roper, an English black market weapons dealer. Sophie winds up dead after giving Pine incriminating documents, and he goes undercover with British intelligence in a sting operation against Roper to avenge Sophie’s death.

Le Carre is no stranger to the world of adaptations. Several of his previous works have been made into pretty successful films including A Most Wanted Man, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and The Constant Gardener. Some television series have also already been made based on his work such as “A Perfect Spy” and “A Murder of Quality.”

The adaptation will be written by David Farr for Ink Factory. There is no word yet on when the miniseries will begin production or an anticipated premiere date.

 

Scarlett Johansson Offered Ghost in the Shell Role

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According to a report from Deadline, beautiful woman and all around great actress Scarlett Johansson is being offered the leading role in the upcoming big screen adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. The film is based on the manga series by Masamune Shirow.

Last year it was rumored that Margot Robbie was being eyed for the role but now it appears plans have changed as Johansson is in the leading eye for the starring role.

The series is a futuristic science fiction series where members of a covert ops unit that takes on technology-related crime.

Ghost in the Shell will be directed by Rupert Sanders who previously was responsible for Snow White and the Hunstman (as well as having an affair with star Kristen Stewart.) The script is coming from William Wheeler.

The manga series was insanely popular and has led to other adaptations already including several anime films, a TV series, and a series of video games with DreamWorks releasing the second anime film in North America.

Johansson has not been confirmed for the role but since her success playing intense battle type characters such as in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, it seems like she is a good candidate.

Warner Bros. Details Release Dates For Fantastic Beasts Movie Trilogy

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Warner Bros. has released some details about the plans for their project, the big screen adaptation of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by J.K. Rowling. The “Harry Potter” spinoff was confirmed to be hitting theaters as a trilogy with this first film releasing on November 18, 2016. In this week’s announcement, Warner Bros. revealed that the part 2 and part 3 would come out in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is being written by author Rowling. The tale follows a character mentioned in the Harry Potter series called Newt Scamander as he journeys through New York City. It is set 70 years before the HP series takes place.

David Yates is returning as director of the series. Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz, who was at the conference this week, tweeted a cryptic note that said the series would be “at least” a trilogy. Could this mean there may be more films in the future?

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Trailer Released for “Mockingjay Part 1”

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In the first trailer for the upcoming third film in The Hunger Games franchise, we return to District 12 only to find there is nothing left. In the trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 we see the fate of District 12 after the events of the last film.

Katniss also returns to the remains of her home which had been bombed as well. The trailer is set against Lorde’s “Yellow Flicker Beat,” the song that was written specifically for the movie.

The film picks up immediately after Catching Fire with Katniss surviving the Quarter Quell. She finds herself in District 13 after she literally shatters the Games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 hits theaters on Nov. 21. Tickets for Mockingjay Part 1 go on sale Oct. 29. (There’s even a hashtag for it, #MockingjayTickets, in case your into that kind of thing.)

Watch the “Return to District 12” trailer below:

Wytches Comic Series Picked up by New Regency & Brad Pitt’s Plan B

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Images Comic series, “Wytches,” just debuted the first issue last week but according to Deadline, there are already plans by New Regency to adapt the comic book series into a feature film. The adaptation is being set up through Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B.

The series was written and created by Eisner Award winners Scott Snyder and Jock, who will serve as executive producers on the film.  The plot is officially described as follows:

“Across the globe, century after century, men and women were burned, drowned, hanged, tortured, imprisoned, persecuted, and murdered for witchcraft. None of them were witches. They died protecting a terrible and hidden truth: witches, real witches, are out there. They are ancient, elusive, and deadly creatures that are rarely seen and even more rarely survived.”

It is not surprising that there is already film interest in the series. It was announced this week that the first issue of “Wytches” had already sold out at the distributer level and would be heading into a second printing run.

There is no word yet on who the studio is eyeing to star in the adaptation or when production will begin but it will likely be sometime next year.

The Weinstein Company Adapting “Every Exquisite Thing”

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To be published novel, “Every Exquisite Thing,” is heading to the big screen courtesy of The Weinstein Company. The novel was written by “The Silver Linings Playbook” author Matthew Quick. The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

According to THR, “Every Exquisite Thing” follows a straight-laced female athlete “who starts to get in touch with her wild side after reading a cult classic novel.” The novel she reads is believed to be Oscar Wilde’s “The Portrait of Dorian Gray,” though this is unconfirmed at the moment. Though the novel contains the line “Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.” It seems to make sense.

Quick’s previous novel, “Silver Lining’s Playbook,” was also adapted by The Weinstein Company and ended up being  nominated for eight Academy Awards with star Jennifer Lawrence winning one for her performance in a leading role opposite Bradley Cooper. The 2013 novel from Quick, “Forgive Me,” has been optioned by The Weinstein Company as well.

“Every Exquisite Thing” will be published sometime in 2016. Production will likely not begin on the film until 2017 depending on when the book actually releases. There is no word on any other plans for the film in the realm of casting.