Category Archives: Movie Adaptations

The New Title for the Third Hobbit Film is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

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Peter Jackson has officially renamed the third and last “Hobbit” film. He has named the final installment The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. 

His statement follows:

Inside Information…

Our journey to make The Hobbit Trilogy has been in some ways like Bilbo’s own, with hidden paths revealing their secrets to us as we’ve gone along. “There and Back Again” felt like the right name for the second of a two film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo’s arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, it suddenly felt misplaced—after all, Bilbo has already arrived “there” in the “Desolation of Smaug”.

When we did the premiere trip late last year, I had a quiet conversation with the studio about the idea of revisiting the title. We decided to keep an open mind until a cut of the film was ready to look at. We reached that point last week, and after viewing the movie, we all agreed there is now one title that feels completely appropriate.

And so: “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” it is.

As Professor Tolkien intended, “There and Back Again” encompasses Bilbo’s entire adventure, so don’t be surprised if you see it used on a future box-set of all three movies.

Before then however, we have a film to finish, and much to share with you. It’s been a nice quiet time for us—Jabez and I happily editing away in a dark cave in Wellington—but those halcyon days are quickly coming to an end. It will soon be time to step into the light. Expect to see and hear much about The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies in the coming months.

And there’s also The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Cut, which we’re in the process of finishing, with over 25 mins of new scenes, all scored with original music composed by Howard Shore.

It’ll be a fun year!

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies will hit 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D theaters on December 17

True Detective’s Cary Fukunaga to Write and Direct The Black Count

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According to a report from Deadline, Cary Fukunago, will write and direct the film adaptation of “The Black Count.” The film will be based on the novel of the same name written by Tom Reiss.

The plot is officially described as follows,

Here is the remarkable true story of the real Count of Monte Cristo – a stunning feat of historical sleuthing that brings to life the forgotten hero who inspired such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

The real-life protagonist of The Black Count, General Alex Dumas, is a man almost unknown today yet with a story that is strikingly familiar, because his son, the novelist Alexandre Dumas, used it to create some of the best loved heroes of literature.

Yet, hidden behind these swashbuckling adventures was an even more incredible secret: the real hero was the son of a black slave — who rose higher in the white world than any man of his race would before our own time.

Born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Alex Dumas was briefly sold into bondage but made his way to Paris where he was schooled as a sword-fighting member of the French aristocracy. Enlisting as a private, he rose to command armies at the height of the Revolution, in an audacious campaign across Europe and the Middle East – until he met an implacable enemy he could not defeat.

The Black Count is simultaneously a riveting adventure story, a lushly textured evocation of 18th-century France, and a window into the modern world’s first multi-racial society. But it is also a heartbreaking story of the enduring bonds of love between a father and son.

Fukunago is most known for his work on the hit HBO series, “True Detective” as well as the films Jane Eyre and Sin Nombre. 

Mike Jackson, John Legend and Ty Stiklorius will produce alongside Fukunaga and Troy Carter. Josh Bratman will executive produce.

Extended Spot for The Giver, Starring Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep

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An extended trailer for the big screen adaptation of “The Giver” has been released. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Lois Lowry.

The Giver adapts the modern classic of young adult literature. The story centers on Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community.

The Giver was directed by Phillip Noyce and stars Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift. You can watch the extended spot below:

The film hits the big screen August 15.

First Official Photos From Upcoming Macbeth Film

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The first two images from the upcoming big screen adaptation of Macbeth has finally been revealed. It stars (incredibly sexy co-stars) Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

The William Shakespeare tragedy will retain the play’s 11th century setting and is said to use the original dialogue as well. The story follows the devious Macbeth, a Scottish lord who will stop at nothing to become King.

Macbeth was directed by Justin Kurzel and written by Jacob Koskoff and Todd Louiso. There is no officially release date yet but the film is expected to release sometime in 2015.

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Who Is Jake Ellis? Adaptation to be Penned by Hanna Screenwriter

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According to a report from Variety, Seth Lochhead, the screenwriter behind the film Hanna, has been hired to write the screenplay for Who Is Jake Ellis? .

The film is the big screen adaptation of the comic series of the same name from Image comics. The Eisner-nominated miniseries ran for five issues in 2011 and was followed by a sequel series, “Where Is Jake Ellis?,” in 2012. It was written by Nathan Edmonson and illustrated by Tonci Zonjic, and is officially described as follows:

“Jon Moore is the most sought after spy-for-hire in Europe’s criminal world. This is because of Jake Ellis, a psychic man who is invisible to everyone except Moore. When a deal goes bad, the only one who can protect Moore from Europe’s most dangerous criminals is Jake Ellis. No one but Moore can see Jake Ellis. But Jake Ellis can see everything.”

“Harry Potter” director David Yates will helm the feature, which is being produced by Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping.

Liev Schreiber to Headline The Good Lord Bird

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“The Good Lord Bird” written by James McBride is heading to the big screen with Liev Schreiber and Jaden Smith headlining the cast.

The book, published in 2013, is officially described as follow:

Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857, when the region is a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces. When John Brown, the legendary abolitionist, arrives in the area, an argument between Brown and Henry’s master quickly turns violent. Henry is forced to leave town—with Brown, who believes he’s a girl.

Over the ensuing months, Henry—whom Brown nicknames Little Onion—conceals his true identity as he struggles to stay alive. Eventually Little Onion finds himself with Brown at the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859—one of the great catalysts for the Civil War.

This is not the first time one of McBride’s novel have been adapted into a film. McBride’s previous novel, “Miracle at St. Anna,” was adapted in 2008 and he then teamed with that film’s director, Spike Lee, to provide the screenplay for Red Hook Summer. McBride will produce The Good Lord Bird alongside Schreiber and Brian Taylor.

Trailer Released for “If I Stay” Film Adaptation

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The trailer for the upcoming film adaptation “If I Stay” starring Chloe Moretz has officially released. It comes from Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and New Line Cinema via MTV. The film is based on the novel of the same name.

Mia Hall (Moretz) thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam (Jamie Blackley). But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate.

Moretz stars opposite Mireille Enos, Jamie Blackley, Joshua Leonard, Liana Liberato, Aisha Hinds and Stacy Keach.

“If I Stay” will release in theaters on August 22. It was directed by R.J. Cutler with a script from Shauna Cross. You can watch the trailer below:

Chloe Grace Moretz Closes Deal to Star in The 5th Wave

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Chloe Moretz has signed on to star in the big screen adaptation of the bestselling novel, “The 5th Wave.” The film is based the book of the same name written by Rick Yancey.

In this tense thriller, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, 16-year-old Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave, Cassie meets a young man who may become her final hope.

The novel has been a phenomenon in young adult literature, with 20 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers list, 240,000 hardcover units sold, and 55,000 e-books sold. The novel, which has also had tremendous crossover appeal with adults, was honored with the 2014 Red House Children’s Book Award in the UK. The second book in Yancey’s planned trilogy, “The Infinite Sea,” will be published on September 16, 2014.

The 5th Wave will be directed by J. Blakeson with a screenplay from Susannah Grant. Graham King will produce along with Tobey Maguire and Matthew Plouffe through his Material Pictures.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” Adds Gwendoline Christie

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Gwendoline Christie, also known as the most awesome “Game of Thrones” character Brienne of Tarth, has joined The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. 

Christie will play Commander Lyme. She is replacing Lily Rabe who was originally cast in the role. Lyme is one of the leaders of District 13, the district in the futuristic Panem that is rebelling against the government. She hails from District 2 and is a past victor of an unknown Hunger Games.

The fourth film in the hit YA franchise, which sees the return of main actors Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, is currently filming back-to-back with Mockingjay – Part 1.

Mockingjay – Part 1, the third of four films based on Suzanne Collins’ popular YA novels, will hit theaters Nov. 21, 2014.Mockingjay – Part 2 will follow one year later on Nov. 20, 2015.

Along with starring on HBO’s fantasy hit Game of Thrones, Christie’s film credits include 2009’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Jim Starlin’s Dreadstar Headed to the Big Screen

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Jim Starlin, the creator of Mad Titan Thanos at Marvel, has had his very own science fiction epic optioned for the big screen. His comic series, “Dreadstar” has been acquired for film by Benderspink and Illuminati Entertainment.

Running for over sixty issues, “Dreadstar” tells the story of Vanth Dreadstar, the lone survivor of the obliterated Milky Way Galaxy who is caught in the middle of a longstanding war between two powerful empires with his band of misfits Syzygy Darklock, Willow and Oedi.

The comic series was initially published in 1982 and was hailed by fans and critics. J.C. Spink of Benderspink told The Hollywood Reporter,

“Apart from Star Wars, this was my favorite science fiction story growing up.”

Illuminati’s Ford Lytle Gilmore also added,

“Dreadstar is one of the most important comics on the 1980s, paving the way for creators to control their own creations. After decades of Jim exercising that control and turning away countless Hollywood suitors, I’m excited he’s trusting me and J.C. to do it right.”

The pair will produce the film which is currently on the lookout for a screenwriter before securing a distributor or financier.

There is no word yet on when the project will go into production or who the studio is eyeing to star.