Well, as many of you know, the first book of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series: The Golden Compass is due to appear on the big screen on 7 December 2007. Here it is July already, and the teaser trailer is now available. Obviously, I had to share it with you. Enjoy!
As most of you have noticed by now, Wednesday is Book Adaptation Discussion Day here at The Book Stacks. (This may have something to do with the fact that I am slightly obsessed with books beings made into films.) Since J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is due to arrive in theaters on 11 July, I thought that you all might enjoy watching the international version of the film trailer. Judging by the trailer (which I’ve included here) it looks like I will get to see the scene that I was most hoping would make it into the film, and it looks very exciting. Probably too exciting for my mother, in fact. (Don’t worry Mom, I’ll tell you all about it.) Not much longer now.
I was over at the Walden Media website today. They’re the folks that are making films out of The Dark is Rising and Prince Caspian. They don’t have a trailer for The Dark is Rising up yet, but they have the teaser poster image up, (that’s it at the top of this post.) It’s coming to theaters on 5 October 2007!
Walden Media generally have some of their future projects listed, so I like to pop by periodically to see what they have in the works. Here are a couple of the Book Adaptations that are coming soon to theaters:
The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith is due In Theaters on 12/25/07, but it doesn’t have it’s own page up yep.
“Based on Dick King-Smith’s acclaimed story, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep tells the magical story of a lonely boy in Scotland who finds a mysterious egg on the shore of a loch. When the egg hatches, what emerges is a water horse, a mythical sea monster of Scottish legend. But as the rapidly growing beast becomes harder to conceal from those who see it as a threat, the boy must find new ways to protect the misunderstood creature.”
Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr is due in theaters 4/25/08 and it sounds like it’s going to be quite the film.
“Nim’s Island is a heartfelt and hilarious adventure that chronicles the exploits of Nim, a young girl living a high-tech Robinson Crusoe existence on an unspoiled tropical island with her scientist father and her best friends—a motherly sea lion, a rambunctious iguana and a sea turtle. When Nim’s father embarks on a day of research at sea, she begins an unlikely e-mail communication with an agoraphobic novelist who lives in New York City. When a storm prevents her father’s return and unpredictable dangers confront Nim and the Island, she must find the resources to survive. At the same time, the novelist begins to realize that her pen pal is a little girl who is alone and in trouble. She also has to dig down for the courage to leave her safe haven and rescue Nim.”
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is supposed to arrive in theaters on 10/10/08. (Dan? Was it you who particularly liked this book?)
“For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember’s once powerful generator is failing . . . and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city’s existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever. Production begins July, 2007 in Belfast, Ireland.”
So, there you are. I hoped that you liked this update. As soon as there is a trailer out for The Dark is Rising, you can bet I’ll let you know.
Walden Media, The Dark is Rising, Prince Caspian, The Water Horse, Dick King-Smith, Nim’s Island, Wendy Orr, The City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
Hello, all. Here is June’s update on the subject of books to film. I’ve been told that these are useful, so I’ll keep doing them. Well, that and by now you know that I like to make lists. In any case, here is the current status of the film projects that have been mentioned up to this point (and weren’t already out on DVD as of the last update.)
Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: Announced. US theatrical release sometime in 2008.
Blood Ties: Currently appearing on the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
Born to Rock: Announced with a release date sometime in 2007.
The Bourne Ultimatum: US release date - 3 August 2007.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The Dark is Rising: In post-production. US release date - 5 October 2007.
Deal Breaker: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Dresden Files: Season one is over, not available on DVD.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2007 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Gossip Girl: Coming to tv this fall.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Due in US theaters on 13 July 2007.
Inkheart: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 March 2008.
The Lightning Thief: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Lovely Bones: In pre-production with a 2008 release date.
The Martian Child: Due in US theaters on 26 October 2007.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2010.
Nancy Drew: Due in US theaters on 15 June 2007.
The Nanny Diaries: Due in US theaters on 7 September 2007.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:Filming. Due in US Theaters on 8 August 2008
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced� with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
The Tale of Despereaux: Filming. Due in US Theaters on 19 December 2008.
Teen Idol: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
Tintin: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
books to film, Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Blood Ties, The Boggart, Born to Rock, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Dark is Rising, Deal Breaker, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Gossip Girl, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Inkheart, The Lightning Thief, The Lovely Bones, The Martian Child, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Tale of Despereaux, Teen Idol, Tintin
Hello again, and welcome to your (mostly) weekly book adaptation update. I’ve got a few different bits of information for you this time, so let’s get started.
Kelly over at Tiny Treasury has posted a story telling us that the Gossip Girls books (by Cecily von Ziegesar) are coming to the small screen this fall. The show will appear on the CW network. Those books are a bit…racy. I wonder how well they will translate to a television show format. I’m sure that the show will be popular either way. The books have a huge following. Thanks for the heads-up, Kelly!
Gordon Korman’s book Born to Rock is apparently headed for the cinemas. The IMDB is currently listing this film project as “Announced” with a 2007 arrival date, but I have a feeling that this date might change. It looks like a fun story (it’s about the conservative son of a Rock and Roller who ends up having to go on tour with his dad.) I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this one.
Teen Idol by Meg Cabot (of Princess Diaries fame) appears to be destined for the big screen as well. It is also listed on the IMDB as “Announced” at this time. The theoretical arrival date for this project is currently set at 2008. I should note that this one has been listed as “Announced” for a while now. I wonder when the status will be updated. I also wonder when they are going to make a film of All-American Girl. I loved that book.
The last bit of news I have isn’t actually film-related, but it does have to do with free books. (You like free books, right?) Emma over at Treehouse Jukebox is holding a contest every Wednesday in June, with free books as the prizes. So, you may wish to stop by and see what is going on.
book adaptation, Tiny Treasury, Gossip Girls, Cecily von Ziegesar, CW network, Gordon Korman, Born to Rock, Teen Idol, Meg Cabot, All-American Girl, Treehouse Jukebox
Before I begin this Book to Film update, I would like to thank Dan the Library Man for sending me the information about the following film projects. I’m always glad to hear about new book adaptations. Thanks, Dan!
Okay, to begin with we have The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo which is due to appear in all of its animated glory in US cinemas on 19 December 2008. The voice talent will include such luminaries as: William H. Macy, Dustin Hoffman, and Kevin Kline just to name a few.
A film based upon Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is currently in post-production and is due in US cinemas on 19 March 2008. The cast for this one is just…incredible. Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, and Brendan Fraser (fangirl squee!) are just three of the folks on the cast-list. I suppose that means that I’d better get around to reading this book soon.
A film of Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben has been announced, but there is little information about it available as yet. All we know at this point it that they expect it to arrive in US theaters in 2008.
So, there you are. Three more books on their way to the big screen. I wonder what book will be next.
The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo, William H. Macy, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Inkheart, Cornelia Funke, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, Brendan Fraser, Deal Breaker, Harlan Coben
Okay, first of all, is anyone else as excited as I am that the next Harry Potter film is coming out in July? Hmmm…it would appear that July 13th is a Friday. I always said that Friday the 13th was my lucky day. Is there a scene that you cannot live without seeing on the big screen? For me, it’s the swamp. Well, the swamp and Fred and George. Two months to go!
The Tintin update: According to the IMDB, “Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson intend to use performance-capture technology — used to create the character of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies — to turn Georges Remi’s comic-book drawings in his Adventures of Tintin series into three features that will be shot back-to-back beginning next year.” Spielberg and Jackson will be directing on film each, and there is no word as yet who will be directing the third. So, as far as my live-action versus animated question goes, I suppose that the answer is: yes. I guessing that would be…animated live-action? I’m really curious to see how this turns out.
Speaking of Peter Jackson, whatever happened to his production of The Lovely Bones? Well, on the IMDB it is listed as still being in pre-production, but the release date has been moved back to 2009. I wonder if his Tintin film will appear before this film does.
And finally, I have a question for you. What is the book that you would most like to see made into a well-done film? (Not one that has been made into a film already. One that remains unfilmed.) Today I am leaning towards Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. There are endless books that I would love to see filmed, but I think that this one would be quite filmable, and a grand adventure to boot. What about you?
Harry Potter, Tintin, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Georges Remi, The Lovely Bones, Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters
Well, this is turning into more of a monthly books to film update, but then last month’s update proved to be useful to a few folks. In any case, here is the current status of the film projects that have been mentioned up to this point (and weren’t already out on DVD as of the last update.)
Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: In Production. US theatrical release sometime in 2008.
Blood and Chocolate: DVD available June 12, 2007.
Blood Ties: Currently appearing on the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Bourne Ultimatum: US release date - 3 August 2007.
Bridge to Terabithia: Currently on DVD.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The Dark is Rising: Currently filming. US release date - 28 September 2007.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Dresden Files: Currently appearing in the US on the Sci Fi Channel.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2007 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Due in US theaters on 13 July 2007.
The Lightning Thief: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Martian Child: Due in US theaters on 26 October 2007.
Miss Potter: DVD available on June 19, 2007.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2010.
Nancy Drew: Due in US theaters on 15 June 2007.
The Nanny Diaries: Due in US theaters on 7 September 2007.
The Ruby in the Smoke: Available on DVD.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:In pre-production with a 2008 release date.
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced� with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
Tintin: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
books to film, Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Blood and Chocolate, Blood Ties, The Boggart, The Bourne Ultimatum, Bridge to Terabithia, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Dark is Rising, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Lightning Thief, The Martian Child, Miss Potter, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, The Ruby in the Smoke, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Tintin
From the “Film With The Name And Some Characters From The Book But That’s All” department we have The Bourne Ultimatum (book by Robert Ludlum) which is do to appear on the big screen in the USA on 3 August 2007. You may wonder how I know that the new film will have very little to do with the book. Well, I’ve read all three of the Bourne books by Robert Ludlum (other folks have picked up the mantle and run with it, by the way) and something happened in the second film (no, I’m not going to be specific) that so very completely did not happen in the second book. The thing that happened makes certain parts of book three…unable to occur. Yes, I’m planning on watching the film anyway. I’ve enjoyed Matt Damon as the more modern Bourne, even if the hand-held camera stylings of the second film gave me a headache. The first film was really good. The Richard Chamberlain TV movie of the Bourne Identity was much closer to the book, but I didn’t enjoy it as much.
Okay, really I’m planning on seeing the film because the trailer looks good and I’m curious to see what they do with it. Who knows? They may manage to get a bit of the book in there.
To begin with, I would like to point out that according to AmyD over at Watching Gilmore Girls they are going to begin filming a sequel to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie this summer. I wonder if they are doing a film version of The Second Summer of the Sisterhood or just a film sequel. Well, unless Ann Brashares happens to pop by with the info (or anyone with the info, really) I guess that we’ll just do the usual wait and see.
And, The Book Chronicle has finally announced the winner of the Litty for Best Kidlit Litblogger. And the winner is: Christian Children’s Book Review! Congrats folks! The next award is scheduled to be: Best Litblogger and they are quick to point out, “no, this is not the Best Litblog ultimate nomination – we’ll just determine the best persona behind all of those marvelous blogs.” This is the first one for which I might actually be in the running. I hope that they have a “Best Random Litblog” category, though. I might actually give some folks a run for their money on that one.
Watching Gilmore Girls, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Ann Brashares, The Book Chronicle, Litty, Best Kidlit Litblogger, Christian Children’s Book Review, Best Litblogger
I know that at least one of you out there will be glad to discover that The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is reportedly coming to the big screen in 2009. So far the IMDB only lists this film as In Production, but I’ve heard a rumor that Chris Columbus has signed on to direct. More details on this one as I encounter them.
Also, Ian Falconer’s Olivia books are being made into an animated series that will be shown on Nick Jr. I’m not sure when this one is starting. Hopefully soon.
And finally, Caldecott-winning My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann is set to be turned into an animated series as well. This series will premier on qubo in Fall 2007.
All sorts of books are coming to film in the next couple of years it seems. If you have any book to film news, please let me know!
The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan, Chris Columbus, Ian Falconer, Olivia, My Friend Rabbit, Eric Rohmann, qubo
I know that most of the time the book is *far* better than the film. A good example of this is the second version of Escape to Witch Mountain, or as I like to call it: The Purple Monstrosity. The book was *so* much better than that film. (The book was better than the first movie, too, but by a much smaller margin.) Other times, the book and the movie complement each other quite well, each showing their own strengths, in effect making them *as good as* (or nearly as good as) the book. I like to use The Princess Diaries as my example for this sort of thing. The book and the movie had many of the same elements, but they really end up being more like two different versions of a similar story. (Which really worked for me. I like that kind of story.) Return from Witch Mountain is a good example of a film that was *very* faithful to the book, and actually managed to keep the spirit of the book intact too. That’s actually a very difficult balance to maintain. Of course, the rarest of all is the film that was better than the book. Which brings me to today’s question. I’m curious. How many of you out there have encountered a filmed version of a book that you thought was better than the book itself? I can only think of one example off of the top of my head, and that’s Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. Yes, I really didn’t like the book, but I *loved* the film. (I’m not that big a fan of the mini-series, though.) What about you?
Escape to Witch Mountain, The Princess Diaries, Return from Witch Mountain, Cold Comfort Farm
Can you believe that John Cusack is 40? (Well, actually, he’ll be 41 in June, but anyway…) As it happens, one of his six upcoming film projects is The Martian Child which has been adapted from The Martian Child: A Novel About A Single Father Adopting A Son a semi-autobiographical work by David Gerrold. Already I can detect a couple of differences between the book and the film, based upon the information provided by the IMDB. The book is about a gay man who adopts a child that is reaching the age where he will be difficult to find a home for. The film seems to be about a writer who’s fiancee dies, and he adopts a boy in an effort to create a family. In both cases the boy in question thinks that he is a Martian. I have had a crush on John Cusack for the longest time, so I hope that this ends up being a feel-good movie (so I can see it.). Yes, Joan Cusack will be making an appearance, too. The Martian Child is due in US theaters 29 June 2007.
It has been a couple of months since my last status update on the filmed books that I have covered in this blog. Here again we see my habit of compiling information. I hope that y’all find this sort of thing as interesting as I do. And now…the films:
Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: Announced. US theatrical release sometime in 2008.
Blood and Chocolate: Appeared in US theaters on 26 January 2007. No DVD yet.
Blood Ties: Currently appearing on the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development.
Bridge to Terabithia: Appeared in US theaters on 16 February 2007. No DVD yet.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The Dark is Rising: Currently filming. US release date - 28 September 2007.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development.
The Dresden Files: Currently appearing in the US on the Sci Fi Channel.
Eragon: Available on DVD.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2007 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Due in US theaters on 13 July 2007.
Miss Potter: No DVD yet.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development.
Nancy Drew: Due in US theaters on 15 June 2007.
The Nanny Diaries: Due in US theaters on 7 September 2007.
The Ruby in the Smoke: Has appeared on BBC TV and on American PBS. No sign of a US DVD yet.
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced� with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
Tintin: In Development.
Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Blood and Chocolate, Blood Ties, The Boggart, Bridge to Terabithia, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Dark is Rising, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, Eragon, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Miss Potter, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, The Ruby in the Smoke, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Tintin
There are vague rumours floating around the ‘net that the Artemis Fowl movie may be going ahead once more. There is nothing official on the IMBD, but there is talk on its message boards. Eoin Colfer’s Website says: “All that I can say is that the movie is moving ahead. I am working on the story outline with the director at the moment. The rest is all
very hush hush.” So, if you were sad to hear that the information about the film had disappeared from the IMDB, perhaps there is hope again. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, and I’ll let y’all know about anything that I find.
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