Get A Jump On The Year’s Movies By Reading These Novels Headed To The Screen

GET A JUMP ON NEXT YEAR’S MOVIES BY READING THESE NOVELS HEADED TO THE SCREEN

Screen adaptations are awesome, but reading the book first puts you a step ahead. Not only do you know what will happen, you’ll also see what the screenwriters cut from the original story. Here are some titles be headed to the big screen in the next months:

“The Mortdecai Trilogy” by Kyril Bonfiglioli — The comedic crime novels have been turned into a film, “Mortdecai,” set for release Jan. 23. Johnny Depp stars as Charlie Mortdecai, an art dealer searching for a stolen painting. The quirky story also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor.

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith — The zombie parody of the Jane Austen classic is set to hit the big screen in 2015, with “Downton Abbey” actress Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet.

The “Last Apprentice” series by Joseph Delaney — The fantasy series follows Thomas Ward, a farmhand who discovers he has the power to protect his county from a witch. The film, called “Seventh Son,” stars Ben Barnes, Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore, will be released Feb. 6.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James — The blockbuster erotic romance novel will hit theaters on Valentine’s Day, but don’t expect the movie to be as explicit as the book. Some things had to be toned down to assure an R rating. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan star.

“Paper Towns” by John Green — This young adult novel got the green light to be filmed almost immediately after the success of “The Fault in Our Stars.” Nat Wolff, one of that 2014 film’s young stars, here has the lead role of Quentin, a teenager trying to decipher the mystery behind the girl he is in love with, Margo (Cara Delevingne). The movie has a June release.

“Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins — Fans will have to wait until November to see what happens in the second half of the series. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) has to deal with a brainwashed Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and realizes her business in the Capitol isn’t over yet.

“Brooklyn” by Colm Toibin — The film of Toibin’s novel follows a young woman (Saoirse Ronan) who emigrates from Ireland to Brooklyn in the 1950s. She falls in love there, but a tragedy forces her to return home.

“Insurgent” by Veronica Roth — This sequel to “Divergent” follows Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) as they try to discover the history of Tris’ family. If they want answers, they’ll have to fight the Erudites.

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The Giver Comes To The Big Screen

THE GIVER COMES TO THE BIG SCREEN

It took nearly 18 years for Lois Lowry’s most celebrated young adult novel, “The Giver,” to come to the big screen. The book tells a story about a future society that, to spare the human race from pain and suffering, has eliminated all emotion. Only one person — The Giver (played by Jeff Bridges) — maintains a record of the human experience in his mind, and it’s time for him to pass those memories on to Jonas, The Receiver (Brenton Thwaites).
“The movie made much more complex the character of the Chief Elder,” the head of the society, Lowry says. “And then once they cast Meryl Streep — who never would have taken the role the way I wrote it in the book — the quality of her acting, just the turn of her eyes or the way her mouth curves, it was astounding to watch her. Now I wish I could go back and write the book the way she performed it.”
Bridges was attached as a producer from the beginning, though he had originally intended to cast his father, Lloyd, who died in 1998, as The Giver. Other casting choices shed new light on characters that had existed only in Lowry’s head.
“The two who kind of surprised me were Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgard [as Jonas’ parents], both of whom are noted for their beauty,” Lowry says. “With Skarsgard, there are websites dedicated to how hunky and sexy he is, and they’re both cast in these roles where there is no sexuality and a coldness to them. They’re cast against type, and that’s really interesting.”
Having spent a week on the set, the 77-year-old author says she might like to change one other thing. “After they had finished filming they asked me down to watch some post-production stuff,” Lowry says. “I found it all quite fascinating. I want to be young again and go back and study filmmaking.”

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Page to Screen

A slew of sensational books are heading to the big screen this year. Here’s what to look for during the second half of 2014.

The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard Morais will delight culinary enthusiasts with its delicious French setting. Not only does it star Helen Mirren, but it’s produced by Oprah AND Steven Spielberg. Lois Lowry’s The Giver is finally screen bound, with Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and Taylor Swift. Comedy lovers, Jonathan Tropper’s “This is Where I leave you” is the tale of a guy forced to sit shiva with his astoundingly dysfunctional family. With Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, we’re gonna love it. 2 Gillian Flynn titles are cineplex bound. Dark Places starring Charlize Theron, and Gone Girl with Ben Affleck. December will showcase …Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl? Hmmm….the jury’s out.

Know before you go. Get the literary 411 on my show The Book Report.