5 Highly Anticipated Book-to-Movie Adaptations

Five great movies coming soon to a theatre near you

By Roxanne De Souza, Staff Writer

via Life as I Pictured, Flickr

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chobsky
   Release Date: September 28, 2012

The story often likened to Salinger’s coming-of-age classic The Catcher in the Rye, Chobsky tells of 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman) as he struggles with being an introvert, growing up and falling in love. Emma “Hermione Granger” Watson plays his free-spirited love interest, and Ezra Miller plays the flamboyant best friend. Released earlier this year, lovers of the book claim that Perks authentically portrays Chobsky’s cult classic.

//
//

2. Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell
   Release Date: October 26, 2012

David Mitchell’s critically acclaimed novel Cloud Atlas depicts a scenario in which individual actions have profound ramifications over space and time. Cloud Atlas tells several separate yet interconnected stories that range from the 19^th century to a dystopian future.  The film adaptation starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry has received positive reviews, and promises to be one of the most complex and thought-provoking movies this year.

3. Team of Rivals – Doris Kearns Goodwin
   Release Date: November 16, 2012

Concisely entitled Lincoln, this film is partially based on Goodwin’s book, which provides a historical account of Abraham Lincoln and his Cabinet members. Starring Oscar winner Daniel Day Lewis as the title character and up-and-comer Joseph Gordon Levitt (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises), the film portrays the American president’s struggle with the American Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation. The Steven Spielberg film is already generating Oscar buzz as a much-anticipated political thriller.

4. Life of Pi – Yann Martel
   Release Date: November 21, 2012

Canadian author Yann Martel uses magical realism to tell the story of 16-year-old Indian boy Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel. Pi’s family eventually decides to leave the zoo they own in Pondicherry due to political unrest, departing for Canada by boat with their animals. After a shipwreck, Pi is eventually left on a lifeboat with a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra and a Bengal tiger. The film depicts his survival on the boat, as well as the overarching themes of survival and spirituality through his journey. Directed by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain), and starring Suraj Sharma as Pi, the film is expected to be a critical success.

5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – J.R.R. Tolkien
   Release Date: December 14, 2012

Peter Jackson takes his audience back to Tolkien’s Middle Earth in the beloved prequel to The Lord of the Rings. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins accompanies a band of dwarves to reclaim their treasure from the Lonely Mountain now occupied by the dragon Smaug. The tale recounts Bilbo’s adventures and misadventures with trolls, goblins and wood elves, and reintroduces classic characters including Gandalf the Wizard and Gollum. Despite the anticipation of Tolkien fans, Jackson has been criticized for separating the book into three separate films.

—————————————-

Liked this article? Hated it? Comment below and share your opinions with other ARB readers!