I like movie adaptions as long as they're well done. I love the Harry Potter books and the movies are a fantastic addition to the franchise. I've loved the Lord of the Rings movies so much more than the books. The opposite is true for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where the book was a million times better than it's movie counterpart.
Movies have the ability to give wonderful stories a wider audience. People who wouldn't dream of spending hours or days or even weeks reading a book have no qualms about spending two hours in a movie theater experiencing a story. Those of use who have read the books get to see an interpretation of a beloved book, allowing us to compare our vision of the book against the screen.
Turning books into movies benefits the movie industry as well. When a book with a large fan base is made into a movie, that fan base translates into guaranteed sales (be it movie tickets, DVD purchases and/or rentals).
Hollywood take notice. I watch almost as many movies in a year as I read books. About 3 movies and 5 books a week. I consume these medias at a much higher rate than the average public. In all probability, that means absolutely nothing but I like to think I have a good grasp of what's being made and what people would like to see. Of course, there's a good possibility that I just think that because I want to see certain things. Either way, MAKE THESE MOVIES (please?).
Why: Strong female main characters bring women into action films. Supernatural creatures are all the rage right now and this series has vampires, wereanimals and zombies. Imagine the possibilities.
Why: The majority of Christmas movies have been overly cheesy lately. The public wants something different after the Christmas comedy overload. A tale full of mystery and lost love could be just the thing to shake up the holiday genre.
Why: This is obvious. The book already has a huge following with both teens and adults. A love story that would appeal to teen girls and fighting to the death for dad? A target audience encompassing over 50% of the US population? How could that fail? (Lionsgate has announced that it acquired the rights, let's just hope they do something with them.)
Why: Faeries are coming into their own right now and a kids movie based on the series has the potential to set this mostly untouched supernatural genre on fire. The script has been finished since 2008. Better hurry up before someone else steals your faerie thunder.
Why: Everyone loves the apocalypse and Neil Gaiman is a literary darling who has proven himself formidable across medias. There was a buzz about the movie in the early part of the decade, but nothing has been said since 2003. It's quirky and funny and I think the movie going world is ready.
What books do you want to see made into movies? Why do you think those movies will do well in the theater?
Great Choices! I would add the In Death series by JD Robb and The House of Night series by P.C and Kristen CAst.
ReplyDeleteLove your picks :). I would love to see The Night Huntress series and maybe the Vampire Academy series.
ReplyDeleteHi, RWT, I'd include my own Casa Dracula series, of course, but I love, love GOOD OMENS and think would be a really fun and entertaining movie. I've bought this book several times to give to friends and it deserves to be better known.
ReplyDeleteThose are great choices. Good Omens would make sure a great movie!
ReplyDeleteMine would be: Lara Adrian's Midnight Series, JR Wards BDB series, Wishes by Jude D, Outlander by Diana G, and Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn K (though maybe that would make a better TV Series)
I agree that the Anita Blake novels would be a great movie or even a tv series, especially if they got Laurell Hamilton to help with the writing. I'd hate to see those get ruined like the Sookie Stackhouse novels did.
ReplyDeleteI think that Jen Lancaster's books would make funny chick-flick sort of movies. Especially if she helped with the dialogue. I think that Bitter is the New Black would probably be the best bet.
ReplyDeleteFun choices! I think I remember hearing that the first Anita Blake book was being made into a TV movie here. Did that deal fall through?
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series on the big screen. Actually, a TV series would be even more awesome since it would allow lots more time for character & plot development, but it seems less likely.
Hunger Games is a must!! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Good Omens. It is one of the books that I re-read almost once a year and it holds some great memories for me of the times and places in which it has kept me company. I'd love to see a good movie of it - but worry that the humour wouldn't necessarily translate that well to film...
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