One of my favorite classes I took in college was called "Sources and Adaptations". It was a class all about how literature and history are adapted for film, TV and the stage, and how films/plays/tv shows are adapted for one of the other mediums (ie. Moulin Rouge going to Broadway or Romeo and Juliet became West Side Story the play became West Side Story the movie). Not only was this class taught by one of my favorite professors (shoutout Sara Freeman!), but it gave me context and scope to think about adaptations more critically on all sides. This has been both a blessing and a curse as an avid reader.
I often find myself reading a book and wanting to see the world in front of me and come up with endless ideas of how to adapt my favorite books for the screen and stage (that's the director in me talking obviously...). Today I wanted to talk about eight of these. Some of them are already in production, some rights have been sold, and some have even already. been made and I think they need to be redone. Let's talk about it:
American Royals by Katherine McGee (author has agent working on it)
I have been pretty loud about my desire to see this book (and it's sequel Majesty) turned into films. I love these characters and would love to see them brought to life. I also think that the concept of royals and high society in a modern United States would lend itself to some glamourous film magic with sets and costumes that would require a film level budget.
Author Katharine McGee has repeatedly said that she would love to see her books turned into films or tv shows and that she actively has her LA agent working on shopping it around to production companies! Hopefully will see Beatrice, Samantha, Nina and Daphne come to life sometime soon!
The Selection by Kiera Cass (in production at Netflix)
The Selection has had a long process to get to where it is. Currently this book series is in pre-production at Netflix as a film, but before that it had TWO failed CW pilots (one starring Jane The Virgin's Yael Grobglas as America). As much as I would have loved to see those pilots come to fruition (the CW has been great at TV book adaptations in the past), I'm so glad these books will be films instead.
The main reason I think film is the better medium is because of the time jump between The One and The Heir. I personally hate huge time jumps in TV shows, but in a film series it is much easier to handle.
This film is expected to start production early in 2021 so my guess is we won't see it until early 2022 at the soonest, but I am still excited!
Avalon High by Meg Cabot (2010 Disney Channel Original Movie)
Let's talk about Avalon High. I loved this book when I read it in middle school and I was THRILLED when I heard they were making it into a DCOM starring Britt Robertson and Gregg Sulkin (what a good pair!). However, as good as the movie was, it was a TERRIBLE adaptation.
They changed so much about it to make it "more exciting" and "relatable" to the Disney Channel audience and I was LIVID. The changed the main characters name from Ellie to Allie and made HER Arthur... NO NO NO NO NO.
If this film wasn't an adaptation of a book I would have loved it, but knowing how off it was from the book ruined it for me. I would love to see it redone (preferably not at Disney).
A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (in production at Lionsgate)
Now this adaptation was announced before the book was even published, which did not surprise me at all. I know Lionsgate would jump at the opportunity to make a film out of this Hunger Games prequel.
I personally need to see this brought to the screen! The idea of seeing Panem 60 years prior to Katniss and Peeta's story is super exciting to me, and seeing President Snow as a young man will definitely be interesting. I also think the book was a little hard to follow, but a film will make it so much easier to follow!
You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson (nothing in progress)
The fact that no one has snapped up the option for this book is INSANE to me! It was one of the biggest books of Summer 2020 and would make SUCH A GOOD movie! We love coming of age teen movies right now (read: always) and this story about a high school senior doing everything she can to go to the school of her dreams all while rekindling and losing friendships and finding love with her prom queen competition is teen movie perfection!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (optioned/screenplay in progress at Constantin Film/Tempo Productions as of late 2019)
I don't think I need to really say anything about this. Everyone and their mother wants to see this series adapted for screen ASAP. Now it has been optioned for film (though it has been VERY slow moving and nothing is currently happening with the screenplay) but I personally think this would make a much better HBO/Starz/Showtime television epic. I think there are so many mini plots throughout the books that it would be much better suited to a longform TV show like this, but obviously on a premium channel because chapter 55... just saying...
Now SJM's other series Throne of Glass was optioned for TV at Hulu for awhile and now it appears those rights have been released, so it wouldn't surprise me if the ACOTAR adaptation halts as well. She has been quoted as saying she is being incredibly picky about the team and making sure that they are faithful to her work and so that definitely makes for a longer process. Hopefully it will be worth it in the end!
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar (nothing in progress)
Another big success of 2020, Star Daughter has such a beautiful and well thought out fantasy world that would THRIVE on the big screen. I hope that someone snaps up the option for this book and creates a stunning star world for us to enjoy on screen. Diversity in fantasy books and films is very minimal and this book about an Indian-American girl who is half star would be a great addition and disruption of the very white canon of fantasy.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (in progress at Universal)
Now I haven't finished reading this series yet, but I loved the first three so much that I cannot wait to see it brought to life. This world would be so cool to see on screen and I know that so many others agree. People always are harassing Victoria about it on Instagram and I know she can't wait for progress to be made either. There are rumors about Elizabeth Banks directing and I personally would LOVE that!
What books would you love to see coming to the screen?
xo,
Kayla
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