On Road To Cinema: 24 YA Books About to Become Movies

On The Road To Cinema: 24 YA Books About To Become Movies







It could be argued that it all started with the Hunger Games, or maybe so far back as to the Harry Potter saga, but it is undeniable that adapting young adult books and turning them into blockbusters has become a sweeping fad. And, honestly, who's complaining? Some of the best cinematic masterpieces were inspired by books or plays. The Godfather, Gone With the Wind, A Streetcar Named Desire all started out as books and were made into classic movies anyone not living under a rock has heard of. At one point, it seemed as if we were drowning in adaption after adaption, and then there's suddenly a noticeable lull in the young adult book-turned-movie factory. So what is in store? What's about to rock the movie screens? After loads of research, I've discovered the answer: a lot. I'm talking copious books on a rather impressively extensive list. I've picked some of my favorites.








The Definites:
There are some movies that are definitely making it to the big leagues of the cinematic arts. Some have trailers, casts, and producers and are strongly expected to premiere behind the red velvet curtains. Here are some the definites that are expected to show within the next couple of years.

Mockingjay Part 2
November 20, 2015
We all know that multiple movie reigns will be coming to an end in the coming years. The Hunger Games is releasing its final installment of the well-loved trilogy. The Mockingjay is a movie that will definitely give the audience a healthy dose of violence and war, but also some closure on the Peeta front. It works out evenly in the end in my opinion. After this final installment, The Hunger Games dynasty will have officially ended; it was a good run, it really was, but it's time for the younger ones to have their chance are stardom, don't you think?

Allegiant Part 1
March 18, 2016
Some series are just in the midst of their fame. Divergent and Insurgent were made, watched, and reasonably loved (Theo James, hello?!). Now it's time for the final book to make a debut on the wide screen. Allegiant is undoubtedly highly anticipated (and, in a similar manner of the production of Hunger Games, it will be two parts- goody), but that's not really the question on everyone's mind now is it? I'm just going to say it: can they really carry through with the end? 





The Scorch Trials
September 18, 2015
Dylan O'Brien was loved before the Maze Runner, but after? Forget about it. He became an instant teen pop idol, even more than he originally was. Those ignorant of O'Brien's movie star status were happily introduced to him through Dashner's action-packed dystopian thriller. And now, we can say hello to The Scorch Trials. 

Me, Earl, and The Dying Girl
June 12, 2015
This one is so close. Me, Earl, and The Dying Girl, a novel about Greg and his friend Earl and their serendipitous meeting with a girl diagnosed with cancer, is set to release in the near, near future. Like only a few days away kind of near. Readers will finally be able to see this weird, somewhat hilarious story in the shape of cinematic magic.

The 5th Wave
January 15, 2016
The 5th Wave was an instant success and the primary cause of emotional breakdowns around the world (including me). Film makers took notice of this literary phenomenon and decided to take action. Good choice, film makers. Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, and Maria Bello were casted as the stars of this post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure. 






A Monster Calls
October 14, 2016
A Monster Calls was an award winning novel about a little boy, his mother, and a monster. Published in the format of a chillingly dark, yet inquisitively creative, picture book, A Monster Calls was a reflection on guilt and death, youth and maturity. Patrick Ness wove enthralling language and invaluable lessons into a book film makers would've had to been blind to not notice. Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, and Felicity Jones have already signed on for this movie.




Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
March 4, 2016
Mysterious, dark, chilling, weird, and peculiar are all words you could use to describe the popular novel Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. After finding a pile of strange and inexplicable photos, Ransom Riggs was inspired to tell the story of a group of talented orphans cared for by a caring bird. Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, and Samuel L. Jackson are already part of the cast for this movie.




Papertowns
July 24, 2015
The Fault in Our Stars was a huge success. It, to this day, continues to remain one of my favorite movies (and books) of all time. It did not come as a surprise to me when film makers started to pick up the film rights to John Green's other literary masterpieces, and good for them. God knows they have more than a large enough fan base for a blockbuster movie. Papertowns, while not one of my favorite book by John Green, will be on the very top of my list of movies to see this summer. Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, and Halston Sage will be the stars of the latest John Green film.

The Not So Definites:
While some movies are absolutely going to make the big screens, there are others whose movie adaptions are mere rumors in the cinematic grapevine. The movie rights have been sold, but how are we to know that they'll actually make it? It's common knowledge that many attempts have failed just at the finish line in terms of the movie transformation. It is my sincerest hope that all of the following books make it to my local movie theater.



To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Info:
Optioned by Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment
Annie Neal will write the script

The Night Circus
Info:
Rights were bought by Summit Entertainment and David Heyman

Moira Buffini will write the script







Eleanor and Park
Info:
DreamWorks Studios picked up the film rights
Carla Hacken will be a producer along with Matt Kennedy
Shooting for the film is set to start in 2015




Legend
Info:
Film rights were sold to CBS films
Wyckiff Godfrey and Marty Bowani will produce
Andrew Barter and Gabe Ferrato will be writing the script with Marie Lu






We Were Liars
Info:
Optioned by Imperative Entertainment
Screenplay will be written by E. Lockhart





Just One Day
Info:
Just One Day and Just One Year will be combined into one movie
Universal pictures is in charge of production
Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage will produce along with Gayle Forman and Lis Rowinski





The Diviners
Info:
Film rights were sold to Paramount Pictures 
Bray has been named to write the script
Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage will be producing





Looking for Alaska
Info:
The team for this movie will greatly resemble the ones behind Papertowns and The Fault in Our Stars. 
Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will produce
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will be the screenwriters
Options secured by Paramount, even before The Fault in Our Stars




Graceling
Info:
Reliance Entertainment will partner with Kintop Pictures in filming
Deepak Nayar and Tabrez Noorani will produce
Piers Ashworth will be the screenwriter






Jellicoe Road
Info:
Directed by Kate Woods
Produced by Sue Taylor and Goalpost Pictures






Saving Francesca
Info:
Melina Marchetta is writing the script
Jo Werner will produce







Queen of Tearling
Info:
Emma Watson will be executive producer and star
Warner Bros. purchased film rights






Raven Boys
Info:
New Line Cinema bought the film rights
Akiva Goldsman is producing
Area Johnston and Dave Neustadter are overseeing






The Scorpio Races
Info:
Jack Thorne will be writing the screenplay
David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith are producing
Focus acquired film rights



Tiger's Curse
Info:
Shekhar Kapur will direct
Raphael Kryszek, Mary Parent, and Ineffable Pictures will produce
Julie Plec will be writing for the film
Paramount Pictures has screen rights






Uglies
Info:
20th Century Fox and John Davis have film rights

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Movie vs. Book

Let's face it: we all knew how the movie was going to end.

But that doesn't make it any less painful.

The Hunger Games trilogy will always be one of favorite book series of all time. Out of the three, Catching Fire tops my list (unusual, I know. But what can I say? I'm a sucker for plot twists), followed behind by Hunger Games, and, at the very bottom, lies Mockingjay. My opinion is that there was not enough time to pound out a third book that would be as good as the other two. Mockingjay was destined to be fall short of expectations. As I have just seen the movie, I believe film makers have copied this trend. 

Mockingjay, the book, was the most destroying of the three books. Violence, death (lots and lots of death), and war all played a huge part. It is to be expected that the movie, which is based on such a dark and tragic book, would end up dark and tragic as well. 

Jennifer Lawrence is (and I think we can all agree on this) an amazing actress. She portrays Katniss so well, so true to the character. Although we did not see Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson) for most of the movie, the parts he could be seen in were powerful. Of course, I cannot forget about Liam Hemsworth, who plays Gale. I believe that the Hemsworth brothers are gifts that should be appreciated whenever possible. As to be expected, Hemsworth's performance was perfection. There were several very powerful moments. Goosebumps ensued. Tears pricked the backsides of my eyeballs. I became emotionally invested in this movie, and I felt as if I had just ridden a roller coaster by the time the lights finally turned on. 

One thing that seems to be missing from most war-related or violent films is consideration for the character's well being throughout the battle. Mockingjay did not follow this pattern. The film makers seemed intent on defying the accepted idea that warriors are indifferent to the bloodshed around them, and I appreciated that. Both the movie and the book made very it clear that the war going on around Katniss was devastating. The savagery and the barbarism Katniss witnesses is enough to drive her insane. 

I have been and always will be a Team Peeta person; Gale was never an option for me. That said, I think it is fair to say that this movie, no matter how dark or violent, set me up to want to watch Part 2 the day it comes out. I don't know how I'll stand the wait. My only hope is that they won't go overboard with the violence and that they will keep it PG-13. 

While it definitely wasn't as good as the other two, I liked this movie, and it is a must see for all Hunger Games fans. Mockingjay Part 2 (which has already been filmed and finished by the way) is to be withheld from audiences until November 20 of 2015. 

Maze Runner Movie vs. Book

Many books turned to movies have obtained considerable failure while going from white page to silver screen. Take Percy Jackson, for example. Probably the worst movie rendition of a book that I have ever seen. Sure, Sean Bean and Logan Lerman were there, but even that couldn't have saved the movie. There is risk in making a motion picture based on a top-selling novel. For one,  the audience you're appealing to is a majority of book nerds (like me). If you skimp of the book details, there will be talk of an uprising. We want it done, but we want it done right. 

I absolutely love the Maze Runner book. Not so much a fan of the entire series, but the Maze Runner itself is fantastic. The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure just went downhill for me. It was violent, and I felt the author lost all sense of the story. It warped too much and eventually bored me. (Honestly I can't even remember how this series ends...) While it ended badly, the series started out well with the Maze Runner. When I went to the theater, I just hoped that the movie makers didn't mess it up too bad. 

First thing that the Maze Runner movie people did right: Dylan O'Brien. Second thing they did right: the setting. Exactly like the book! And not just the setting; the story and the character were all so close to the book. I loved the cast (except for Theresa, but I'll get to that later) and Chuck was the highlight of the movie. O'Brien was perfect for this role. He was exactly like how I imagined Thomas in my mind. And the Grievers (even though they scared the crap out of me) were just right. When I read the book, they were less scary, and I think they could have toned it down in the movie. But overall, they were great. And the action was fantastic. Watching this movie, I finally understood what the term "at the edge of your seat" meant. I must have held my breath for two thirds of the entire movie. 

Things the Maze Runner people did wrong: Theresa, and the violence. I did not like the girl casted for Theresa; they could have done so much better. She was a mediocre actress at best. Secondly, the violence. While the book was violent, book violence is different from movie violence. In books, you can kind of just skim past all the blood and gore, while in movies, you kind of have to watch it. I didn't like that I had to watch it. The book was violent, I'll admit that, but the movie seemed even more violent than the book. 

By the time the theater lights faded in, I liked the movie. My heart was pumping hard and the book nerd inside of me was satisfied (and not just from watching O'Brien for two hours straight). Fans of the Maze Runner I am sure will be fans of this movie. Not even the person sitting behind me who felt it necessary to kick my seat of five minutes could ruin the movie for me. It was good, and I liked it, and I think other people will too. 

The Fault In Our Stars Movie vs. Book

The Fault In Our Stars book will forever go down in history as one of the greatest realistic fiction books of all time. It is destined to be a classic, read by book enthusiasts for generations to come. It is a staple on Best Books Ever lists and a book read by anyone deserving of the title of bookaholic. John Green, simply put, is a hilarious genius whose last thing on his mind should be the fear of oblivion. He will be remembered for a long time, and his many books are a reassurance of that fact. 

I eagerly awaited the FioS movie like a little kid awaits Christmas. Seeing it for the first time will be one of those memories that stick with me, even as an adult. I laughed, I gasped, I giggled with glee, and most importantly, I cried. 

I cried while laughing. I cried salty tears. I cried gasping sobs. I cried. A lot.

Could. Not. Stop. Crying.

The book made me tear up. It left a small puddle of tears on my pillow. The movie made me bawl. It left salty crust trails on my cheeks. It was amazing.

Anyone who had read the Fault in Our Stars book has an undeniable obligation to see this movie. Those who love the book will love the movie. No doubt.

Like all book-based movies, there were some differences between the two. Parts were left out, important quotes were left unsaid. In the book, Hazel came across to me as more cynical and sarcastic than she appeared in the movie. It was not a bad change. It was just another difference, and it was not better nor worse. 

One of my favorite things about the movie was that the script writers included some of the best quotes from the book. It made me happy to know the writers took into account how important the spectacular phrases in the book were to FioS lovers everywhere.

In my opinion, the movie was phenomenal and did justice to one of my favorite books of all time. Now, I have another movie to add to my top ten. Everyone should watch this movie. It was fantastic. I give both the movie and the book 6 out of 5 stars.