The Book Came First
Film adaptations of many popular books will appear on movie screens and televisions in upcoming months.
October through December 2013
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel -- a young German girl whose book stealing and storytelling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding. The film stars Sophie Nelisse, Geoffrey Rush, and Emily Watson.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
As punishment for winning the latest Hunger Games, the Capital forces Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark into an even more deadly version of The Hunger Games. This time, it's not only their lives at stake. The very future of Panem depends on the results of the terrible contest. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Donald Sutherland.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
In this long-awaited space adventure, child hero Ender Wiggin must fight a desperate battle against an alien race if mankind is to survive. The film stars Harrison Ford, Abigail Breslin, Ben Kingsley, and Asa Butterfield as Ender.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug by J.R.R. Tolkien
Having escaped from the Misty Mountains, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield's troop of dwarves find fresh dangers as they travel through the dark forest of Mirkwood and toward the Lonely Mountain, the dragon's lair. The film stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, and Orlando Bloom. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the dragon Smaug.
Horns by Joe Hill
Hill writes horror like his father, Stephen King. In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to strange horns sprouting from his temples. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe.
The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel
The story of a little-known World War II Allied division whose mission was to track down European art and treasures that had been looted by the Nazis at Hitler's command. The film stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Cate Blanchett.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty from The Thurber Carnival by James Thurber
An office worker dreams up fantasy worlds where he gets to live a more adventurous life. The film stars Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig.
2014
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Beatrice Prior, a teenager with a special mind, finds her life threatened when an authoritarian leader seeks to exterminate her kind in an effort to seize control of their divided society. The film stars Shailene Woodley and Theo James.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Hazel, a teen with stage IV thyroid cancer, has accepted her terminal diagnosis until a chance meeting with a boy at a cancer support group forces her to re-examine her perspective on love, loss, and life. The film stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape. The film stars Dylan O'Brien.
Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
When master mechanic Peter Lake attempts to rob a mansion in New York, he's caught by Beverly Penn, the terminally ill daughter of the house. Their subsequent love sends Peter on a desperate personal journey. The film has an impressive cast which includes Matt Bomer, Will Smith, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Colin Farrell.
With the success of such multiple season television series like "True Blood" and "Game of Thrones," these popular fantasy novels will also appear as television series.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
This BBC production is set during the Napoleonic Wars. A fierce rivalry springs up between two men who discover that magic has returned to Britain after a long absence. It stars Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945, is hurtled back through time to 1743 Scotland. She finds herself caught in an unfamiliar world torn apart by violence, pestilence, and revolution. When her life is threatened, she's forced to marry a handsome young Highlander, James Fraser. Claire soon finds herself haunted by her growing feelings for him. The "Outlander" book series contains eight volumes so far. The television series stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire and Sam Heughan as Jamie.
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