With the teen book-to-movie industry grossing billions of
dollars over the past decade, film rights to a new teen book are a hot
commodity. Think Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games. Even Princess Diaries,
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Everyone is vying for the next Hunger Games-like phenomenon movie release, so a
lot of the new and great teen books have been snagged up. A majority of these
will not make it to the theaters due writing, casting or development issues.
However, here are some movies based on amazing teen books that will be coming
soon.
Beautiful Creatures
Release date: February 13, 2013 Status:
Post-Production
Beautiful Creatures takes place in a
supernatural South and features Lena, a girl with a secret, and Ethan, whose
desire to leave is replaced by a connection to Lena. Written by Kami Garcia and
Margaret Shohl, the fourth book in the series, Beautiful Redemption, is coming October 23.
Why I’m excited:
Because Beautiful Creatures is the best of paranormal romance (ghosts, witchcraft and love attractions) with a Southern flare, à la True Blood. The movie stars Viola Davis and Emma Thompson while introducing some fresh faces as the lead characters Lena (Alice Englert) and Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich).
Why I’m excited:
Because Beautiful Creatures is the best of paranormal romance (ghosts, witchcraft and love attractions) with a Southern flare, à la True Blood. The movie stars Viola Davis and Emma Thompson while introducing some fresh faces as the lead characters Lena (Alice Englert) and Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich).
How I Live Now
Release date: 2013 Status:
Post- ProductionDaisy, a native New Yorker, moves to the English countryside to live with her cousins. They are alone when WWIII breaks out, and love blossoms as war bears down.
Why I’m excited:
Because
the dystopian yet timeless feel of the book will likely translate great on
screen. I’m curious to see the movie depiction as it stars Saoirse Ronan (of Lovely Bones and City of Ember) and was filmed in England. Also, the author Meg
Rosoff tweeted about visiting the set, which made me even more excited. However,
I am fearful that the American release will be small or even nonexistent as it
currently only lists a UK release date of 2013.
Mortal Instruments: City
of Bones
Release date: August 23, 2013 Status: Filming
When Clary encounters Shadowhunters at a club in downtown Manhattan, she witnesses a murder and is thrust into an unknown supernatural world. This action-packed story has five sequels, with the last coming in March 2014.
Why I’m excited:
Because this is one of the first teen series that I loved. It made an impression on me, and helped me (along with many other books) fall in love with the genre. Plus, I love the buzz about the movie. The filming is followed closely by the fan girls, and the author Cassandra Clare will often provide updates through blog, tweet or tumble. The release will be one of those with a large, excited fan base who will show up to the theater in droves.
When Clary encounters Shadowhunters at a club in downtown Manhattan, she witnesses a murder and is thrust into an unknown supernatural world. This action-packed story has five sequels, with the last coming in March 2014.
Why I’m excited:
Because this is one of the first teen series that I loved. It made an impression on me, and helped me (along with many other books) fall in love with the genre. Plus, I love the buzz about the movie. The filming is followed closely by the fan girls, and the author Cassandra Clare will often provide updates through blog, tweet or tumble. The release will be one of those with a large, excited fan base who will show up to the theater in droves.
Ender’s Game
Release Date: November 1, 2013 Status: Post- Production
This science
fiction novel is about Ender Wiggin, a boy who has been trained in Battle
School to take on the Formics. Two previous attacks by these ant-like beings
have left humankind devastated. This classic, written by Orson Scott Card, has
many sequels and a companion series.
Why I’m excited:
Because this movie is a long-time coming. Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin star in this classic come-to-life. Also, Asa Butterield (Hugo in Hugo Cabret) will star as Ender, so an experienced young actor has taken on the role. This movie is bound to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2013.
Why I’m excited:
Because this movie is a long-time coming. Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin star in this classic come-to-life. Also, Asa Butterield (Hugo in Hugo Cabret) will star as Ender, so an experienced young actor has taken on the role. This movie is bound to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2013.
Divergent
Release date: March 21, 2014 Status: Pre-Production
Living
in a dystopian Chicago, Beatrice has to choose which faction of society she
will join at 16. Her surprising choice leads her down an adventurous and
dangerous path. Divergent is the first in a trilogy written by Veronica Roth, and the yet-to-be-named
finale is set to be released next fall.
Why I’m excited:
Because it’s dystopian, and it takes place in a futuristic Chicago (a nearby city for me). Plus, I feel as though Divergent has the potential to be close to Hunger Games on the phenomenon scale. However, we will have to wait and see, as the release is a year and a half out. Hopefully our patience will pay off!
Why I’m excited:
Because it’s dystopian, and it takes place in a futuristic Chicago (a nearby city for me). Plus, I feel as though Divergent has the potential to be close to Hunger Games on the phenomenon scale. However, we will have to wait and see, as the release is a year and a half out. Hopefully our patience will pay off!
Wow, that's a lotta teen flicks heading our way! The Teen Summer Blockbuster genre is the new paradigm, now. I imagine we'll start to see titles ready-made as movies (I'm thinking way back into the '90s with Jurassic Park 2 as The Lost World), which is maybe cynical on my part but publishing and Hollywood are longtime mutual money shovelers.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of teen movies, and there are even more that I didn't mention! Also, I've heard of recent instances where the movie rights have been purchased before the book is released, like the Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost. (And remember when "I Am Number Four" came out? The book and movie releases were quite close.) I'm sure with all the potential money making, it will happen more often.
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