Category Archives: Movie Adaptations

The Great Gatsby

‘The Great Gatsby’ To Finally Hit Theaters May 10, 2013

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The Great Gatsby

The bad news is that director Baz Luhrmann’s take on the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, The Great Gatsby, won’t be releasing this year. The good news is, audiences don’t have to wait forever. You can hold your breath until May 10, 2013, right? Come on. It could be worse.

There is a good and bad side to this announcement, too. The good news here is Gatsby won’t have to compete with other December 2012 released films. A certain Hobbit comes to mind. When it comes to the one ring, the roaring 20s might not stand a fighting chance.

The bad side has a bit to do with Warner Brother’s box office track record. It seems quite a few failures released from the studio also in May. Among those are Speed Racer, House of Wax and, most recently, Dark Shadows. The past is prologue, but then again, no one can tell with these things. Marketing and star power can contribute to overall success. There are exceptions to every rule. Luhrmann’s own over the top rhapsody, Moulin Rouge! first premiered in May of 2001.

I think Gatsby is going to make a good chunk of change no matter when it debuts. I’ve been a great fan of the 1974 adaptation starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow and re-watch it from time to time. That script has many lines in it pulled directly from the novel. Speaking of Mia Farrow, Luhrmann has given her iconic role of Daisy to Carey Mulligan. I think Mulligan looks the part. I can’t wait to see how she does. Mia Farrow has this incredible, breathless voice; however, and I’ll forever related it to Daisy–Daisy and the unicorn from the animated classic The Last Unicorn. Now that was the best voice acting casting ever!

Two other reasons Gatsby‘s May release shouldn’t pose a problem are its actors and its director. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire are movie stars. They have loyal fans. They’ve also been best chums since forever, so it’ll be nice to watch them together. Baz Luhrmann also has a cult following. No other director would think to shoot a live action, historically set romance in 3D. In fact, he may be a little nuts. It’s a good kind of nuts, though.

Let’s check out some highlights from the official press release from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures concerning the updated release date. May 10 is the date Americans and Canadians need to mark on their calendars, but international audiences don’t need to sweat. They get the film one week after.

Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said,

Audiences have been looking forward to Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of one of the most beloved books of all time, and we felt this beautifully extravagant and dramatic film would be a perfect way for us to kick off our Summer slate.

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, added,

Baz’s unique take on Gatsby is glitzy and glamorous, with his juxtaposition of the classic tale and contemporary themes hitting just the right note. This film should really add heat to the competitive Summer season.

Luhrmann writes, directs, and produces for the project.

Of course DiCaprio is Gatsby and Maguire is Nick Carraway, the point of view character who is a bit of a fish out of water as he joins rich New Yorkers in the spring of 1922, smack-dab in the time of jazz and excess. Gatsby is the richest and most mysterious and he takes an interest in Nick because Carraway is Daisy’s cousin. Daisy is the one who got away from Gatsby before he was the man he is today.

Joel Edgerton is Tom Buchanan, the man Daisy did marry. He’s got a bit of a mean streak. Isla Fisher will play Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, and Jason Clarke is George Wilson, Myrtle’s seemingly dim-witted mechanic husband. Elizabeth Debicki was cast as Jordan Baker, the love interest for Nick Carraway.

If you know Luhrmann’s films, you know he’s the king of spectacle. He re-teams with two-time Academy Award-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin from Moulin Rouge! on the set of Gatsby. The music will come from Craig Armstrong.

Tom Cruise, Bill Paxton Eye ‘All You Need is Kill’

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All You Need is Kill

The idea behind Groundhog Day is getting a violent, science fiction flavor, and stars Tom Cruise and Bill Paxton are involved. The new film coming from Warner Bros. is called All You Need is Kill.

If you are like me, that title probably made you roll your eyes, but once I heard the premise behind the upcoming action flick, I became more willing to make this project one to watch. You see, Doug Liman will direct All You Need is Kill, which is based on the graphic novel of the same name, written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka with illustrations by Yoshitoshi ABe. Liman was also behind The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Jumper, by the way.

The graphic novel tells the story of a soldier, whose part has been snagged by Cruise. He’s in a grueling war against an alien race. These aliens kill him, but due to a mysterious phenomenon, he wakes, only to re-live his final day over and over and over and…you get the idea. He’s in a time loop, and as this occurs, he becomes a more finely honed killer.

This was the same idea behind the short-lived series, Day Break, starring Taye Diggs. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are a Netflix subscriber. There was even an X-Files episode in Groundhog Day mode revolving around a bank heist.

Many entertainment news sources are marveling over the fact that Cruise and Bill Paxton have never shared the screen before. Their time has finally come.

Interestingly enough, the gorgeous, capable, and funny, Ms. Emily Blunt is already cast in All You Need is Kill. I suppose her casting is not so unusual, considering she already has The Wolfman and The Adjustment Bureau under her belt. She’s no stranger to science fiction, but I still thought it was a little strange when she was cast in this month’s release, Looper. She seems like more a polished person than would be the love interest of a hitman. I felt the same way when they cast Kate Beckinsale in Mark Wahlberg’s Contraband. Did you notice how they changed Beckinsale’s hair in that one to make her look a little more, shall we say low-income, married to an ex-smuggler type? I see a bit of the same going on in Looper.

You won’t hear any complaints from me, however. The more Blunt, the better! If you haven’t seen her in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, stop everything and go see it now. It’s a rare occasion when two actors convince me they are really in love and Blunt performs this feat with co-star Ewan McGregor.

Paxton is in final negotiations to play a really tough-as-nails leader to Cruise’s platoon. This sounds like a role with a bite and I’m sure he’ll sink his teeth right in.

Erwin Stoff, Tom Lassally and Jason Hoffs will produce via 3 Arts Entertainment. Dante Harper and Joby Harold are tackling the script. Production is scheduled for this fall in London.

Recently Paxton have been working on Two Guns for Universal and the History Channel miniseries Hatfields and McCoys, which just got him an Emmy nom. Congratulations are in order all around! You’ll be seeing Cruise in Jack Reacher this December. He was Stacee Jaxx in the Rock of Ages film. He has even more science fiction in the works as the star of Oblivion.

New Trailer for ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Released

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The Hobbit

One of the most anticipated films of the year has a brand new trailer. Grab your wizard’s staff and prepare to blow smoke rings, we’re all set to return to the Shire for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. New Line Cinema was pleased to unveil the latest trailer for the Peter Jackson directed prequel to The Lord of the Rings this week. The show opens in 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on December 14th.

If interaction is what you crave, hop on over to the film’s official site. See, the new trailer was designed with four additional endings. You can play director! Simply choose your favorite to create your own version of the video. Then you can even share the finished product. Hey, it isn’t the star map from Prometheus, which was an offering for fans before the debut of the film, but it still sounds fun.

Let’s test my grasp of the plot for An Unexpected Journey.

The titular hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, is Frodo’s elder relative. He’ll be acted this time around by Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman, in order to depict his younger days, before the one ring ever got into Frodo’s hands. I like this casting very much.

Bilbo gets enlisted into an epic journey, with the goal of reclaiming the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. How did the Dwarves loose Erebor? Well, a terrible dragon called Smaug was involved. So, Gandalf the Grey, adds Bilbo to a company of thirteen dwarves who are led by the very reputable warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. In addition to weaponry, he carries a very impressive nose on his face. Of course many of the dwarves have lovely rhyming names in their lineage. We’ll get the change to meet Glóin, who is Gimli’s father.

Along the way, our party are sure to encounter Goblins, Orcs, Wargs, Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Maybe Bilbo should have stayed at home!

When they pass through the goblin tunnels, or make an attempt at least, this is where fate leads Bilbo to meet Gollum. That’s a scene that I can’t wait to see.

The ring, of course, alters everyone’s fate from there. Cue the dramatic music.

You see quite a bit of Elrond in this new trailer. Returning to the role is the great Hugo Weaving.

It seems not too long ago The Hobbit was reportedly going to be two films, but the latest news says there will be three. More Middle Earth is better, yes? The Desolation of Smaug is due out next year and There and Back Again follows in 2014.

Dwarves aren’t the only thing The Hobbit is filled with. Check out some of the big names attached to the project. Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Christopher Lee, Billy Connolly, Evangeline Lilly, Elijah Wood, and Orlando Bloom have been cast. Lost‘s Lilly has a role Jackson is said to have created himself. Of course Cate Blanchett returns as Galadriel. She’s married to the ruler of Lothlórien, so I’m not sure why she’s making eyes at Gandalf.

Another bit of casting that makes me do a happy dance is Luke Evans in the role of Bard the Bowman, an archer. Evans is a hottie my friends. I’ve much enjoyed watching him in Immortals and The Raven, where he co-starred with John Cusack.

Let’s all raise our glasses. I think Peter Jackson will make J.R.R. Tolkien proud.

You can watch the brand new trailer below:

Dark Knight Rises

Take Home ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ on Blu-ray

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Dark Knight Rises

If you thought you’d heard the last of the Batman, you were wrong. The epic finale to director Christopher Nolan’s Bat-films made its debut back in July, but trailers are popping up everywhere once again and for a very good reason. Its time for The Dark Knight Rises to be released to DVD and Blu-ray. Let’s not forget about digital download either. Continue reading →

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike and Sam Neill Join ‘Long Way Down’

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Rosamund Pike

If you like Rosamund Pike, you’ll also like today’s casting news. The actress, along with Aussie co-star Sam Neill, just signed on for the adaptation of Long Way Down.

You’ve heard of Man on a Ledge, but what do you think about four strangers on a ledge? That’s what happens in this story about four lonely souls who collide on New Year’s Eve atop a London city skyscraper, each intending to leap to his or her doom! What are the odds? Instead of committing suicide, all four form a pact to support each other. This sounds like a morbid version of AA, no?

French filmmaker Pascal Chaumeil will direct A Long Way Down as his English-language debut. That title sounds really funny now that we know what the film is all about.

I have to say, the premise and the cast have me pretty excited about this one. Pike and Neill join Pierce Brosnan (Can I get a woo woo?) Toni Collette, Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots. The original work was the dark comedy and best seller of the same name by Nick Hornby. Filming just began in Europe.

One of the four folks down on their luck is an American. You can bet actor Aaron Paul will take this role. Paul and his blue eyes should be recognizable, as he’s Jesse Pinkman in the addictive AMC series Breaking Bad. For many, this will be another cause for excitement!

My favorite film based upon a Nick Hornby novel is About a Boy. He penned the screenplay for the noted picture An Education, starring Carey Mulligan. Speaking of which, Rosamund Pike does appear in that film, too. His last novel, circa 2009, is called Juliet, Naked.

Pike’s recent work includes shooting the Christopher McQuarrie directed thriller, Jack Reacher, starring Tom Cruise, and work on the Edgar Wright directed film, The World’s End. The Jack Reacher film was based on the novel One Shot by Lee Child. The film debuts in December. The World’s End is also an adaptation and it must be funny because in it Pike co-stars with funny men Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Oh dear. In fact, she will re-team with Pegg on a project called Hector and the Search for Happiness. That’ll be interesting because thus far in her career, I prefer Pike in serious roles. My favorite Pike film is still Fracture, with Ryan Gosling.

The former Bond girl rocked her blonde tresses on the set of Wrath of the Titans, which is currently on Blu-Ray and DVD. I hated the initial re-make, but surprisingly, the action sequel was pretty darn entertaining. Never mind that Pike plays Andromeda in Wrath, a part acted by another actress in the Clash of the Titans remake. As if we wouldn’t notice.

As for Sam Neill, you may have caught him in The Vow and in the J.J. Abrams series, Alcatraz. He did a great job even in his small role in The Hunter opposite Willem Dafoe.

A Long Way Down will be produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey via Wildgaze Films.

Blood's a Rover

James Ellroy Novel ‘Blood’s A Rover’ to Become a Film

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Blood's a Rover

If you dig political thrillers and history, today’s headline is definitely for you. VS Entertainment, helmed by Vincent Sieber, has just acquired the rights to adapt Blood’s A Rover. It’s the latest novel by James Ellroy, also the writer behind L.A. Confidential, which you’ll recall also got the big screen treatment.

Sieber is already hard at work serving as producer for The Unpleasant Profession Of Jonathan Hoag, which began as a novella by Robert A. Heinlein. Sieber will produce Rover with Clark Peterson. Paterson just finished up work on a crime film called Devil’s Knot, another novel adaptation. Ellroy, the author of Rover, will executive produce.

The story is set in the late 1960s and early ’70s, and centers around Joan Rosen Klein, nicknamed the “Red Goddess”. She’s on a mission of vengeance and won’t be hindered by the mafia or political enemies either. Characters clashing with Joan include Dwight Holly, a thug who works for J. Edgar Hoover; Wayne Tedrow, a drug runner connected to the Dominican Republic; and Don Crutchfield, a P.I.

The book was the final one in Ellroy’s Underworld USA Trilogy.

The author has had this to say about his piece:

My most recent novel is — not surprisingly — also my best. The story is no less than the psychic inventory of America from 1968 to 1972. I have no doubt that Clark Peterson and Vincent Sieber will fashion a splendid motion picture from this noir epic.

Ellroy is represented by literary manager Joel Gotler.

The book’s title is taken from the poem, Reveille by A. E. Housman:

Clay lies still, but blood’s a rover;
Breath’s a ware that will not keep.
Up, lad; when the journey’s over
There’ll be time enough for sleep.

If the story telling is anything like it was in L.A. Confidential, this could be an A-list film. When it comes to crime thrillers, Confidential remains one of my favorites. It’s built like a web connecting numerous memorable characters. The film version starred Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, James Cromwell and David Strathairn. I’m hoping 2013’s Gangster Squad, starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn will be just as awesome.

Ellroy also wrote The Black Dahlia. That film adaptation, of course, featured Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. It was interesting material, but not my favorite execution by any means. Story and film were based upon a real life murder.

The Patience Stone

Sony Pictures Classics Acquires ‘The Patience Stone’

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The Patience Stone

Human dramas are among the most affecting films, no matter which culture they spring from. In that spirit, we invite you to consider The Patience Stone, an adaptation recently acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Now that Sony owns U.S. distribution rights, we can hope to enjoy the film over here.

The novel of the same name was written by Atiq Rahimi and was awarded the 2008 Prix Goncourt award. The adaptation was directed by the author and showed at the Toronto International Film Festival. We can expect Sony to release the picture in the U.S. next year.

The film takes place in a nameless Middle Eastern country in the grip of war. Golshifteh Farahani has garnered tons of praise for her central role as a meek woman trying to cope with her husband’s hospitalization. He’s in a comma, in fact, thanks to a bullet wound, and for this reason she is forced to send her two children away to live with her aunt. Though the focus of others is the war, Farahani’s character only struggles to keep her husband alive.

The twist comes when Farahani’s character falls for a young soldier. All she can do then is talk to her husband, unsure as to whether he can hear her. She tells him everything, things she probably wouldn’t say if he were well.

Do you think you could it? Explain to your wounded husband that you love someone else? Would any amount of one-sided conversation ease your guilt?

The picture is already being compared to the critically acclaimed picture A Separation. Reviewers call it profoundly moving. A Separation, if you have yet to see it, is also from Sony Classics and follows a married couple living in Tehran, who are faced with the impossible choice between moving to a different country for the betterment of their child’s future, or staying in Iran to care for the husband’s father, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Michael Gentile, Studio 37, Corniche Pictures and Razor Films produced The Patience Stone.

It’s title is derived from a Persian myth of a mystical rock, which absorbs the troubles of those who confide in it.

Golshifteh Farahani has also appeared in Asghar Farhadi’s About Elly, Marjane Satrapi’s Chicken With Plums, and Body of Lies. The beautiful Iranian actress has been called absolutely captivating.

A&E Delivers Hitchcock Prequel ‘Bates Motel’ Teaser Art

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A&E has gone Hitchcock creepy, but not without a sense of style. The network is going to deliver to the masses, a new series called Bates Motel. The material is considered a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s notorious 1960 film, Psycho. Today we unveil the horrific new poster art for the series.

The sign says there are vacancies, but the nighttime imagery says you’d do well to spend the night someplace else. You can cue the iconic stabbing music and be sure not to shower until you leave the Bates Motel.

The prequel story is so fascinating that A&E decided to skip the usual pilot stage for a show in development and picked up the order for episodes right out of the gate, so to speak. If that doesn’t get your attention, maybe actress Vera Famriga will. The big screen actress will claim a small screen gig to act as Norma Bates, who is, of course, Norman’s mother.

The Oscar nominee’s part is being called

complicated, passionate and compelling woman who is smart, multidimensional and…surprising.

In fact, the show will focus upon Norman’s relationship with his mother, revealing to viewers how the serial killer came to be.

You know Farmiga from The Departed, Up in the Air, and Source Code.

Driving the proverbial bus are Lost‘s Carlton Cuse and Friday Night Lights‘ Kerry Ehrin. Look out American Horror Story, you’ve got competition.

Cuse said,

We are incredibly excited to start production on Bates Motel. We think our take on the Bates family will both be surprising and subvert expectations. We can’t wait for people to check in.

In the original Psycho, Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh was his co-star.

Alfred Hitchcock is a hot topic in Hollywood right now. I’m very pleased because the director was one of a kind. I still watch Alfred Hitchcock Presents on Netflix.

Aside from the Bates Motel A&E series, fans of the portly fellow will want to look out for The Girl, Hitchcock, and Rebecca. The Girl is an HBO movie depicting the not so easy-going relationship between the director Tippi Hedren, who starred in The Birds. In that one, Toby Jones will act as Hitchcock and Sienna Miller is Hedren. Imelda Staunton will play Hitchock’s patient and almost oddly understanding wife, Alma.

As for Hitchcock, that’s the title of Fox Searchlight’s upcoming film. It also deals with Psycho, in that it shows how that film was made. In this one, Anthony Hopkins is Hitchcock and Alma is played by Helen Mirren. Scarlett Johansson is Janet Leigh. That’s some seductive casting. If you need more seduction, Jessica Biel will be Vera Miles.

Lastly, Hitchcock material is finding its way onto Broadway. His creepy, 1940 picture, an Oscar winner, by the way, is going to be a Broadway musical. This makes me want to watch the original very soon. Rebecca unfolds as the title woman marries a rich widower. Once she moves into his mansion; however, things are far from being a fairytale. Her husband’s deceased first wife has a very palpable presence in that place.

What if James Cameron Directed ‘Jurassic Park’?

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What if mega director James Cameron had directed Jurassic Park? Would the love story between Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern’s Ellie Sattler gotten a little more star-crossed? Would the film have been three hours long? Would Jeff Goldbloom’s Dr. Ian Malcolm have tested his chaos theory by taking a wild ride atop a pterodactyl? It is an interesting question to ponder, and here’s why. Cameron has revealed that he was very interested in the Jurassic Park script.

Don’t get me wrong, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park is a classic. I’ll never forget the kitchen scene, as our heroes are relentlessly hunted by a pair of Velociraptors. The Jurassic Park ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is one of my favs. It’s just fun to ask ‘what if’?

Anyway, James Cameron shouldn’t waste any tears. He says,

I tried to buy the book rights and [Spielberg] beat me to it by a few hours.

The director of Terminator 2 and Avatar was very candid at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. This museum just so happens to be the place where the historical ship was first designed.

For Cameron, Jurassic Park may be the one that got away, but Cameron adds,

When I saw the film, I realized that I was not the right person to make the film, he was. Because he made a dinosaur movie for kids, and mine would have been Aliens with dinosaurs, and that wouldn’t have been fair.

Dinosaurs are for 8-year-olds. We can all enjoy it, too, but kids get dinosaurs and they should not have been excluded for that. His sensibility was right for that film, I’d have gone further, nastier, much nastier.

Can you imagine the dinosaurs getting any nastier? I suppose rather than the camera kindly panning away when Wayne Knight is devoured, trying to escape the island, we may have witnessed the gore instead. He’s right. That doesn’t sound quite as family friendly.

Titanic, is, of course, the highest-grossing film of all time. It won an Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director. So, there’s really no downside in this debate. The picture has been recently released to Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray 3D, which included two extra documentaries illuminating the history of Titanic and the making of the film.

And did you know that 15 years later, some fans are still angry that Jack and Rose didn’t share that floating bit of driftwood, to prevent Jack from freezing to death? Recently, the director said this in defense of the iconic scene,

It’s not a question of room. It’s a question of buoyancy. When Jack puts Rose on the raft, then he tries to get on the raft – he’s not an idiot, he doesn’t want to die – and the raft sinks, and it kind of flips. And so it’s clear that there’s really only enough buoyancy available for one person. So he makes a decision to let her be that person instead of taking them both down.

There’s even a rumor floating around the interwebs (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun), that Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters will tackle the question head on, to figure out whether the pair could have shared the bit of flotsam or not. Cameron has expressed a desire to help out if and when they do so.

‘Divergent’ Adaptation gets a March 2014 Release Date

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If you follow the hot young adult books fast becoming films, then you already know that Divergent is on that list. Summit Entertainment has the distinct privilege of making Veronica Roth’s novel into something for which we all want to get midnight screening tickets. The project’s latest news is the release of a release date. Mark your calendars for March 21, 2014. Maybe March will be a lucky month. If memory serves, The Hunger Games was released this March. Of course The Hunger Games adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence did very well. Here’s to hoping the Divergent movie will be as highly anticipated.

The premise of Divergent is pretty darn creative. The action-adventure is all about the most important decisions we make and their impact on our lives. The story takes place in a vision of the future where America is divided into five ideological factions. Each and every citizen must choose a permanent faction by the time they turn 16. Then, once the decision is made, there’s a grueling initiation process. For our heroine, Beatrice, her initiation is especially difficult because of the faction she has chosen. To top things off, there’s a conspiracy at play which will threaten everything the girl holds dear.

The five factions are 1. Candor (the honest) 2. Erudite (the intelligent) 3. Amity (the peaceful) 4. Dauntless (the fearless) 5. Abnegation (the selfless). What does the title mean? That’s the word which describes Beatrice. It means she isn’t just suited to one faction, like most people. The fact that’s she’s Divergent is meant to be a secret.

Divergent‘s author, Veronica Roth is only 23 years old and this was her debut book. I’m so jealous. Divergent is a New York Times Best seller. It’s followed up by the sequel, Insurgent, which is also a best seller. Divergent has been praised for it’s quick pace.

Summit Entertainment is also the studio behind the Twilight films. The screenplay writer is Evan Daugherty. He also wrote the screenplay for Snow White and the Huntsman. No director has been announced yet. Summit Entertainment purchased film rights to the novel before the book was released to the public. Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing the film through Red Wagon Entertainment with Pouya Shahbazian.

It’s an exciting time for book adaptations. I’m looking forward to Breaking Dawn, part two, The Host, Beautiful Creatures (The Caster Chronicles), Fahrenheit 451, City of Bones (Mortal Instruments series), The Great Gatsby, The Seventh Son, Robopocalypse and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Which book would you like to see made into a movie?