Someone long ago said one of the rules of Bookstagram, the bookish part of Instagram, was that you could only post about books. Of course, I believe in breaking the rules. Not only do I mention movies I’ve recently seen, but I do #booksvsmoviesmondays every Monday, where I compare a book to the adaptation. In my mind, it’s a game show where I pick a winner. It’s all fun, and it seems popular.
This blog post was inspired by a post by my friend @eastofreaden on Bookstagram, who did one on upcoming book adaptations. I try to read the book before seeing the film (or TV show). One adaptation she talked about was East of Eden, with Florence Pugh attached to it. Doing more research, I found that, supposedly, it’s going to be a limited series on Netflix and that Zoe Kazan, granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 film with James Dean, is directing it.
Other adaptations @eastofreaden mentioned are Grapes of Wrath, also by John Steinbeck, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, Little Bee by Chris Cleave (at one time Nicole Kidman was attached, now it’s Julia Roberts), The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson and Stoner by John Williams. I was expecting a young actor like Timothee Chalamet or Lucas Hedges, but Casey Affleck is going to be the title character.
One of my favorite Oscar prediction YouTube channels is The Oscar Expert, with twin brothers Cole and Justin, “brother bro,” making predictions. They released their March Best Picture predictions for 2025 and because I’m obsessed, I watched it. They mentioned three adaptations that might come out this year. First from Netflix, is another of Denzel Washington’s adaptations of an August Wilson play, this time The Piano Lesson. It has a great cast, including Samuel L. Jackson. There is also going to be a film based on The Nickle Boys by Colson Whitehead. Lastly, Luca Gaudangino, who directed Call Me By Your Name, is directing an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ book Queer. This film features Daniel Craig, Leslie Manville, and Jason Schwartzman.
Finally, I did a little digging and found some adaptations that sound great to me. One I’ve been looking forward to is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah about two sisters in France during WWII. Taika Waititi is directing Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams in Klara and The Sun, based on the book by Kazuo Ishiguro. Lastly, there will be a film version of Hot Milk by Deborah Levy (no relation) with Emma Mackey, who I loved in Sex Education.
Finally, I feel sentimental about Harold and The Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I read the book to my niece and nephew when they were young. At one time, Spike Jones was going to direct it, but now it’s a live-action film with Zachary Levi as an adult Harold with his purple crayon and Zooey Deschanel as his girlfriend, I assume. It’s coming out on August 2nd, 2024.
Most of these adaptations don’t have a release date, so I suggest checking on IMDB regularly to see if there are any more updates. Do you have an adaptation you are looking forward to?
I was shocked, and a little disturbed, to see “Harold & the Purple Crayon” was being maneuvered into a live action film. Loved the books as a child, but I don’t see where that wordless simplicity will translate well to film. I’ve been a Debbie Downer before about such things. I recently learned that Stephen King hated the first film made from “The Shining,” so much so that he eventually produced his own version as a TV movie! That’s big time hate!
I was upset that they changed the whole premise of Harold and The Purple Crayon. I don’t know why they couldn’t just base it off the book.
I was upset that they changed the whole premise of Harold and The Purple Crayon. I don’t know why they couldn’t just base it off the book.