Category Archives: Movie Adaptations

Channing Tatum Will Star as Gambit in a Solo Film

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Who should play Gambit in a solo film? If you said anyone other than Channing Tatum you would correct. However, that is not the case. It was revealed yesterday that Tatum has been cast as Gambit which will debut in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse right before appearing in his own solo spin-off film.

At the moment there is no writer or director attached to the project though it is possible that the film could be he “Untitled FOX Marvel Movie” which is currently set for release on July 18, 2018. (However, this has not been confirmed.)

The character of Gambit was created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee in 1990. “Gambit” is a New Orleans native mutant quickly became a fan favorite due to his kinetic energy manipulation abilities and penchant for stealing. The character’s only big screen appearance to date (outside his name being featured as an Easter egg in X2) was in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, played by Taylor Kitsch.

Harry Potter Spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Set for November 18, 2016

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Warner Bros. is not wasting any time. The company has announced that the “Harry Potter” franchise spinoff novel, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will have its film version released on November 18, 2016.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was also written by J.K. Rowling. It follows the adventures of the book’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander.

The novel is the first in a planned trilogy set in the world of wizardry. It will feature magical creatures and characters, some of which will be familiar to devoted Harry Potter fans. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets underway.

Ridley Scott Eyes “The Martian” Film Adaptation

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Ridley Scott is looking to direct the upcoming 20th Century Fox project The Martian. The film is based on the novel by Andy Weir which was published as an e-book in 2012 and released in print earlier this year.

The Martian is officially described as follows:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Matt Damon is currently attached to star in the film. Simon Kinberg and Aditya Sood are attached to produce The Martian with Steve Asbell overseeing for Fox.

There is no word if Scott has been officially hired but rumors are that he is pretty close.

Stephen King’s Short Story “Bad Little Kid” Optioned for Feature Film

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No time has been wasted. Stephen King’s newest short story, “Bad Little Kid,” has officially been optioned to become a film. The film rights were bought by Laurent Bouzereau and his production company, NedlandMedia Inc.

“Bad Little Kid” is a supernatural thriller that follows a man whose life changes forever when he realizes a mysterious boy is causing the deaths of people he loves.

The short story was initially released as an e-story in Germany and France on March 14. King says he wrote it specifically for his fans in those European countries who were so hospitable to him when he visited in November.

Bouzereau wrote and directed the 2011 TCM film A Night at the Movies: The Horrors of Stephen King, which featured King discussing horror films and their popularity with moviegoers. Bouzereau’s other directing credits include Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir and Don’t Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck, which he also wrote and produced. Bouzereau is represented by Resolution and Bloom Hergott.

Andy Buckley Joins Jurassic World

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Andy Buckley, the actor most known for his role as David Wallace on “The Office,” has joined the cast of the upcoming film Jurassic World. The fourth installment of the “Jurassic Park” franchise set 22 years after the horrific events of the original film.

There is currently no word on what role Buckley will play but is expected to be announced soon as the project moves into production. Is it to much to ask that he at least once wear the “Suck It” yellow hoodie?

Buckley joins already announced cast members including Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Jake Johnson, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D’Onofrio, BD Wong, Omar Sy, Judy Greer, Katie McGrath and Lauren Lapkus.

Jurassic World is directed by Colin Trevorrow. It was co-written by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. The film hits the big screen on June 12, 2015.

 

Straight-Up Films to Adapt Richard Morgan’s “Black Man”

Richard Morgan Black Man GollanczAccording to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Richard Morgan’s novel “Black Man” (released in North America as “Th1rte3n”) will be adapted into film by Straight-Up Films.

Kenny Golde (Walking with the Enemy) is attached to provide the screenplay with Tripp Vinson also producing through Vinson Films. Lisa Zambri will executive produce.

On his official website, Morgan describes the novel as follows:

Carl Marsalis is a traitor, a bringer of death, a genetic freak and an unwelcome reminder of all that is dark in the human psyche – he in every sense of the word a Black Man. And right at the moment he’s beyond the UN’s juristiction, banged up in a Florida jail for financing an illegal abortion. So when the US police call, Carl cuts a deal.

The 13s are genetically engineered alpha males, designed to fight the century’s last conflicts. But men bred and designed to fight are dangerous to have aroundin peacetime. Many of them have left for Mars, but one has returned. Somehow he survived the journey to Earth, and now a series of brutal slayings has erupted across America. Only Carl can stop him.

And so begins a frenetic man hunt and a battle for survival. And a search for the truth about what was really done with the world’s last soldiers.

Lena Headey to Headline Film Adaptation of “Jacqueline Ess”

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The “Game of Thrones” actress Lena Headey has been cast in the lead role for the upcoming Clive Barker film adaptation, Jacqueline Ess. 

Jacqueline Ess tells the story of a beautiful woman with the ability to horrifically change people’s body shapes simply with her mind. Her ability gives her the power to grant men the ultimate sexual experience, albeit one that always proves fatal. It’s a story of sex, power, and the extremes that await us at the limits of desire.

The film will be based on the short story from Barker titled “Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament,” which was first published in the horror anthology “I Shudder at Your Touch” and was later collected in Barker’s own “Books of Blood.”

Raven Banner will produce with Barker’s Seraphim Films on board to executive produce with first time feature director Jovanka Vukovic attached to helm. Vukovic also adapted the screenplay with Christian Francis.

Seth Grahame-Smith To Direct Adaptation Of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes”

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The classic Ray Bradbury novel, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is to be adapted into a film. Disney has optioned the film and hired author and screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith to direct.

“Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a fantasy-horror that tells the story of two teenage boys who visit a traveling carnival and meet a man named Mr. Dark, who has a tattoo on him for every person who, in exchange for having their secret fantasies made a reality, are now bound to the carnival.

This will be Grahame-Smith’s first directing job however he has made quite the name for himself in the entertainment world. He is best known as the author behind “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” and another book turned movie, “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.” He also wrote the screenplays for the movie adaptations of both books and the screenplay for the Tim Burton and Johnny Depp film Dark Shadows.

The famous Bradbury novel has previously been made into a movie in 1983. However, the upcoming adaptation is not a remake of the movie but of the novel itself.

Grahame-Smith said,

“I have been so crazy about this book, and it was such a formative title in my life that I actually wrote a piece on NPR about why it is so important for young males to read. It is a classic coming-of-age, father-son story about the transition from childhood to adulthood and how kids can’t wait to be adults and adults romanticize their childhoods. I’m not remaking the movie; I want the haunted atmosphere that makes the book so chilling, and I want to reinstate some of the classic scenes from the book that were missing from the ’83 film.”

First Photo From Young Adult Adaptation “Fallen” Released

 

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The first official photo from Fallen has finally been released. The film is based on the book series written by Lauren Kate. stars Addison Timlin, Jeremy Irivine, Harrison Gilbertson alongside Joely Richardson. Rounding out the cast are Lola Kirke along with Sianoa Smit-McPhee, Daisy Head, Hermione Corfield and Malachi Kirby.

Based on the worldwide bestselling book series, Fallen is seen through the eyes of Lucinda “Luce” Price, a strong-willed seventeen-year-old living a seemingly ordinary life until she is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Sent off to the imposing Sword & Cross reform school, Luce finds herself being courted by two mysterious students to whom she feels oddly connected. Isolated and haunted by strange visions, Luce begins to unravel the secrets of her past and discovers the two men are fallen angels, competing for her love for centuries. Luce must choose where her feelings lie, pitting Heaven against Hell in an epic battle over true love.

Scott Hicks is directing from a script by Michael Ross. The original screenplay was adapted by Kathryn Price and Nicole Millard. Scott Hicks behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Alar Kivilo, production designer Barbara Ling, editor Scott Gray, costume designer Bojana Nikitovic and Bafta winner key makeup and hair artist Sallie Jaye.

The film does not yet have an official release date, but it is expected sometime in 2015.

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Tomas Alfredson To Adapt “The Snowman”

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The film adaptation of the novel “The Snowman” by Jo Nesbo will be directed by Tomas Alfredson! Soren Sveistrup will co-draft the screenplay alongside Alfredson.

The project was originally planned by Martin Scorsese but fell through. Alfredson is most known for his work on Let the Right One In and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. 

The seventh entry in Nesbo’s “Harry Hole” series, “The Snowman” is officially described as follows:

It is November in Oslo and the first snow of the year has fallen. Birte Becker comes home from work and praises the snowman her husband and son have made in the garden. But they haven’t made a snowman. As the family stand by the sitting room window looking out in amazement at the snowman, the son notices that it is facing the house. The black eyes are staring at the window. At them.

Detective Inspector Harry Hole receives an anonymous letter signed “The Snowman.” Later he finds an alarming common thread in all the old disappearance cases. Married women go missing the day the first snow falls. That same night Sylvia Pedersen is fighting her way through the first snow in a forest outside Oslo. She knows she is running for her life, but she doesn’t know what from. Nor does she know what lies ahead. Fortunately.

Scorsese remains aboard the project as an executive producer alongside Nesbo and Niclas Salomonsson as well as Working Title’s Liza Chasin and Amelia Granger.