As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen, I find myself thoroughly intrigued by this fascinating array of upcoming productions!
A tried-and-true method for launching a new film or series and tapping into an existing audience is by adapting books, as there’s often a passionate fanbase excited to see their beloved story brought to the screen. In fact, Netflix has been heavily invested in this approach, with numerous high-profile projects originating from pre-existing intellectual properties.
Adapting a book into another medium can be approached in numerous ways. Generally, people anticipate a faithful reproduction, retaining as many plot points and details from the source material as possible. Yet, some adaptations thrive by modifying weak aspects of the original books or exploiting the unique benefits offered by film versus literature. For instance, “The Vampire Diaries” series deviates significantly beyond simply preserving character names and genre elements.
Regardless of how the adaptation is done, however, it can be useful to read the book(s) before watching, to see what changes have been made and evaluate accordingly. In the next couple of years, Netflix is expected to put out at least 25 series and films based on books. Here are the main ones coming this year, as well as a brief description of projects we know are coming soon.
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Sept. 13, 2024
The first book in the series titled “Uglies,” written by Scott Westerfeld and published in 2005, is set in a future society where everyone undergoes significant cosmetic surgery at age 16 to transition into a life of comfort and abundance. However, when Tally meets a friend who involves her in a movement against these transformations, she faces the possibility of losing everything she has been striving for.
The idea for a movie version was initially proposed in 2006, but it didn’t progress beyond the planning phase until 2020, when Joey King came on board as both an executive producer and the lead actress. If this film is successful, there’s a strong chance that we might see adaptations of the remaining books from the original trilogy, along with a potential new addition to the series.
Canyon Dreams by Michael Powell
As Rez Ball, Sept. 27, 2024
Canyon Dreams is a real-life narrative that focuses on Chinle High School, a Navajo institution where basketball serves as a means of navigating the intricacies of teenage life, including those common to high schools nationwide and those specific to the reservation. Author Michael Powell adopts a sociological perspective in his account, recounting discussions he had with the team and community during his time with them throughout the basketball season.
The announcement for the movie adaptation came in 2021, featuring Sydney Freeland (known for “Deidra and Laney Rob a Train”) as the director and co-writer alongside Sterlin Harjo (“Reservation Dogs”). With the majority of its cast and crew being indigenous, the film “Rez Ball” aims to vividly portray the essence of the book with even greater depth and authenticity. Although not a word-for-word adaptation, it’s anticipated to share the same mood and viewpoint.
Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper season 3, Oct. 3, 2024
As a gamer diving into the world of Heartstopper, I’ve found myself immersed in a heartwarming webcomic-turned-graphic novel series that chronicles the lives of Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. This captivating tale follows their journey through school, exploring their identities and emotions along the way. The narrative mainly revolves around their romantic entanglements, but it also delves into the lives of their friends and family, adding depth to the story.
In 2022, the television adaptation of the graphic novel series was released, with the third season set to premiere in October 2024. As the second season drew heavily from events depicted in the third volume, fans can anticipate that the fourth volume will significantly impact the third season’s plotline. This volume delves into expressing love, maintaining relationships amidst new hardships, and navigating mental health issues.
Écoute by Boris Razon
As Emilia Pérez, Nov. 13, 2024
Listen is a French crime novel that was transformed into an opera by Jacques Audiard. Later, Audiard remade it into a movie, and this version will stream on Netflix. The ultimate narrative revolves around a lawyer assisting a cartel boss in undergoing a gender transition.
The movie, Emilia Pérez, may not have extensive details yet, but it’s certainly creating a buzz with its impressive cast. It has been garnering awards at prestigious film festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival.
That Christmas and Other Stories by Richard Curtis
As That Christmas, Dec. 4, 2024
Richard Curtis is well-known for his numerous screenplay contributions, particularly in the romantic comedy genre, but he also has a successful career as a children’s book author. His holiday trilogy, titled “The Empty Stocking“, “Snow Day“, and “That Christmas“, delves into the intricacies of celebrating Christmas with family, highlighting the challenges that arise when tradition may obstruct bonding experiences.
The movie adaptation is in animation style, weaving between the stories to deliver a message that the Christmas season is about far more than presents under a tree. This holiday treat is perfect for families, with the books being ideal for young children and early readers.
Other Netflix adaptations in the works
As for the five mentioned earlier, they are the only Netflix adaptations with confirmed release dates as of now, but there are numerous projects in development for you to explore. In fact, here are twenty titles that have been officially announced, though their exact streaming dates remain undisclosed.
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
In the latest news, Benedict Bridgerton has been confirmed as the lead for season 4 of Bridgerton, so it’s high time for book enthusiasts to revisit the third installment in the series. This captivating tale revolves around Benedict finding himself smitten by a mysterious woman known as “Lady in Silver,” whom he met at one of their family’s masquerade balls, reminiscent of a traditional Cinderella narrative. However, opinions among readers are split on how convincingly the romantic interests complement each other.
The Sandman, Seasons of Mist and Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman
The upcoming second season of “The Sandman” is almost here, and its storyline remains shrouded in mystery. However, Netflix’s “Tudum” has hinted that fresh characters will be introduced from the fourth and seventh books of the graphic novels – “Seasons of Mist” and “Brief Lives.” Although some plotlines might originate from different parts of “The Sandman,” these are the books to read beforehand for an enhanced viewing experience.
The Prom Queen by R. L. Stine
Due to the remarkable success of Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy, it’s not surprising that they are eager for more content from R.L. Stine. The latest movie is adapted from the fifteenth book in the Fear Street series, which centers around a string of murders targeting potential Prom Queens. The protagonist aims to prevent the killer before she falls victim herself.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
In this thrilling tale, a woman stumbles upon a collection of old cassette tapes that unravel the mystery behind a renowned psychiatrist’s disappearance years prior. The production of this captivating story will be handled by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen.
The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag
The novel “The Electric State” tells a visual story about a young girl and her robot, embarking on a journey through a crumbling nation. The Russo Brothers are helming the movie version of this tale, with Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt set to play key roles.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
In their joint probe of a single murder mystery, these two professionals – a journalist and a detective – find themselves facing accusations of excessive involvement in the case. It seems that everyone involved is keeping something hidden. The book is being transformed into a limited Netflix series, where Tessa Thompson takes on the starring role.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
In a heartwarming turn of events, a grieving mother on a quest to uncover her son’s fate forms an unexpected connection with an octopus during her night shifts at the local aquarium. This seemingly implausible scenario, which one might think wouldn’t translate well into a novel, remarkably does so in the captivating work by Shelby Van Pelt. The moving tale is now slated for the big screen, with the talented Sally Field set to bring the protagonist to life.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
After many years of debate, Guillermo del Toro has started working on a lifelong dream: a faithful adaptation of “Frankenstein” as written in the book. While many people are aware of Dr. Frankenstein creating a living being from body parts, the profound philosophical aspects of the novel are often overlooked. Reading the original work before del Toro’s project is unveiled would be advantageous for his fans, as it will help them appreciate all the intricacies he aims to portray.
My Oxford Year by Julia Whalen
Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest are preparing to feature in one of Netflix’s upcoming heartwarming romance adaptations. An American named Ella Durran finds herself repeatedly crossing paths with the carefree Jamie during her time abroad on a Rhodes Scholarship. Despite their initial resistance, they eventually find themselves drawn together by love, causing Ella to reconsider her priorities and desires in life.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex have been inseparable since childhood, regularly reuniting during summer holidays. But a misunderstanding drives a wedge between them, pushing them apart. They decide to reconnect to determine if they can nurture a romantic relationship, maintain their friendship, or if their bond has reached its end. In this production, Tom Blyth and Emily Bader portray the central characters.
The Bible, Book of Ruth
Presently, Tyler Perry is engaged in creating a movie titled “R&B“, which reimagines the Biblical duo Ruth and Boaz in a contemporary context. This heartwarming tale unfolds in Tennessee, where a character from Atlanta visits to look after an elderly woman and discover his true family roots.
Shy by Max Porter
Cillian Murphy is now working on a movie adaptation of Max Porter’s 2023 novella, originally titled “One Night at the British Boarding School”. In this story, we experience the night’s occurrences through a student’s eyes. However, in the upcoming film, named “Steve“, the perspective will shift to one of the school teachers as they recount the same events.
The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne
A criminal needs to run to escape his past, and Macau seems like the perfect place to do it. The self-titled Lord Doyle is hiding out in casinos, losing money, until he runs into a detached callgirl that makes him question everything. The 2014 novel earned a lot of love for its psychological analysis, which helped sell the upcoming film adaptation starring Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton.
The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman
To secure her inheritance, Brett Bohlinger needs to accomplish every task on her childhood dream list. As she hurries to experience a lifetime’s worth of excitement, she grapples with navigating a world without her mother. Actress Sofia Carson portrays the character, renamed Alex Rose in the movie adaptation, as she strives to make sense of a life that was more intricate than her younger self could have foreseen.
The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin
In this gripping crime drama, Vanessa Kirby portrays Lynette, a determined young woman battling against an oppressive system to provide her family with a home. Despite its seemingly simple premise, the narrative delves into complex themes such as despair and morality, questioning whether criminal acts can be justified when they offer the only hope for a meaningful future.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
For enthusiasts of “Only Murders in the Building”, this movie features an intriguing plot about a band of senior citizens residing in a retirement home who indulge in crime-solving as a pastime. Unlike their usual cold cases, a murder within their community heightens the tension for these amateur sleuths. The production wrapped up around mid-September, so we can expect a release date announcement to surface soon.
The Twits by Roald Dahl
In this upcoming animated movie, “The Twits” by Roald Dahl serves as the source material. The story revolves around a band of orphans and animals who are determined to prevent the most mischievous couple from perpetrating harm on innocent people through their love for mean-spirited tricks. This film marks the beginning of a series of animated adaptations of Roald Dahl’s works that will be available on Netflix.
Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune
In a new venture with Netflix, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are bringing the story of this book to life on the big screen. The narrative revolves around Fern Brookbanks, a woman grappling with managing her late mother’s business, finding herself in a life that is far from what she desired. As she encounters an old flame, she must weigh the risk of trusting someone who has previously caused her pain.
Missing You and Run Away by Harlan Coben
I’m thrilled beyond words! The resounding success of the mini-series “Fool Me Once” has prompted Netflix to delve deeper into Harlan Coben’s literary universe. One captivating tale they’re bringing to life is “Missing You,” a story that revolves around me, as I find myself reconnecting with an ex-fiancé who resurfaces after a decade. This unexpected encounter not only stirs up the trauma of my father’s murder but also leads me to unravel a missing persons case.
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2024-09-16 22:04