Fall Reading: 10 Books Adapted for Film and Television

Some big-name stars are linked to movies and TV series based on books. Here’s a rundown:

“Wild Robot”

Author and illustrator Peter Brown’s 2016 science fiction novel is his first book to date. Wild Robot trilogy. The series tells the story of Roz, a robot who finds herself on a remote, wild island, where she befriends its animal inhabitants.

DreamWorks Animation is adapting the novel into an animated film written and directed by Chris Sanders, co-writer and director. Lilo and Stitch AND How to Train Your Dragon.

Lupita Nyong’o voiced Roz, Pedro Pascal played Fink, Kit Connor played Brightbill, Catherine O’Hara played Pinktail, Bill Nighy played Longneck, Stephanie Hsu played Vontra, and Mark Hamill played Thorn.

Wild Robot hits theaters September 27. In August, a trailer was released featuring the song “Kiss the Sky,” recorded by Maren Morris for the film’s soundtrack.

“The Life of Lee Miller”

This 1985 biography by Antony Penrose explores the life and work of Lee Miller, a model turned photographer and war correspondent during World War II whose photographs captured the horrors of war.

Kate Winslet plays Miller in new film Leewardwritten by Liz Hannah, John Collee and Marion Hume, and directed by Ellen Kuras.

The cast also includes Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg, Noémie Merlant, Josh O’Connor and Alexander Skarsgård.

Leeward hits theaters September 27. Roadside Attractions released a trailer for the film in August, which shows Miller (Winslet) struggling to reach the front lines.

“Salem’s Lot”

Stephen King’s 1975 horror novel is one of his most well-known works. The book follows Ben Mears, a writer who returns to his childhood home in Jerusalem’s Lot, where he discovers that the residents are being transformed into vampires.

King’s novel was previously adapted as a 1979 CBS miniseries starring David Soul and a 2004 TNT miniseries starring Rob Lowe. The book is currently being adapted as a new film by Gary Dauberman (Annabelle, Nun, This).

Lewis Pullman starred as Mears, Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker, and John Benjamin Hickey as Father Callahan.

The Fate of Salem Premiere on October 3 on the Max channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVzKkv03ic

‘Reservation’

Renée Knight’s 2015 psychological thriller tells the story of Catherine Ravenscroft, a documentary filmmaker whose life changes dramatically when she receives a mysterious novel that reveals her darkest secret.

Apple TV+ is adapting the book into a new series written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the film’s creator. And your mom too, Children of people AND Seriousness.

Cate Blanchett plays Catherine, Sacha Baron Cohen her husband Robert, and Kodi Smit-McPhee the couple’s son Nicholas. The cast also includes Kevin Kline, Louis Partridge, Lesley Manville, and Hoyeon.

Reservation will premiere in two episodes on Apple TV+ on October 11. A trailer was released in August.

“Rivals”

Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel is her second book to date. Rutshire Chronicles series set in the fictional English county of Rutshire.

The novel is being adapted as a new series set in “the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986” and presents “a backdrop of drama, excess and the shocking antics of a power-hungry social elite in 1980s England.”

The cast includes Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara and Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara.

Rivals will be available to watch from October 18 on Hulu.

‘Conclave’

Robert Harris’ 2016 thriller opens with the death of a fictional pope and follows the subsequent papal conclave to choose his successor, as the cardinal in charge of the election uncovers secrets and finds himself at the center of a conspiracy.

Harris’ book is currently being adapted into a new film written by Peter Straughan (Wolf Hall) and directed by Edward Berger (Silence on the Western Front(2022)

Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the cardinal in charge of the conclave, and the cast also includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati and Isabella Rossellini.

Conclave in cinemas from October 25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX9jasdi3ic

“Day of the Jackal”

Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 political thriller tells the story of a fictional professional assassin known as “The Jackal,” who is hired to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s.

Forsyth’s book was made into a 1973 film starring Edward Fox and a 1997 film, in which the plot is as follows: an assassin (Bruce Willis) is hired to kill an influential American.

The novel is currently being developed as a Peacock TV series starring Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal and Lashana Lynch as the British intelligence officer who tries to track him down in Europe.

Day of the Jackal premieres November 7 on Peacock. A teaser trailer released in July shows Jackal Redmayne using various disguises.

‘Here’

Richard Maguire’s 2014 graphic novel features people, creatures, and furniture found in the same place in different time periods, from the Ice Age to a future where humans no longer exist.

Maguire’s book is being adapted into a new film written by Robert Zemeckis and Eric Roth and directed by Zemeckis, a filmmaker known for Romance with a Stonethis Back to the Future trilogy and Forrest Gump.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Dockery, Gwilym Lee, Ophelia Lovibond and David Fynn.

Sony Pictures released a trailer in June, featuring a de-aged Hanks and Wright, who are portrayed as teenagers at various ages up to 80. The video is shot at a constant angle throughout.

Here in cinemas from November 15th.

‘Mean’

Gregory Maguire’s 1995 fantasy novel tells the origin story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, based on the book by Frank L. Baum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation. The Wizard of Oz.

Maguire’s novel was previously adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. The book is currently being adapted into a two-part fantasy film directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians).

Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, and Ariana Grande plays Galinda, the future Glinda the Good. The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode.

In the trailer, which was released in September, Glinda Grande promises to tell the “whole story” of her friendship and eventual breakup with Elphaba (Erivo).

Wicked – Part 1 premiere in cinemas on November 22, Part 2 will take place on November 26, 2025.

‘Night Bitch’

Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel tells the story of a disgruntled stay-at-home mom who becomes increasingly convinced she’s turning into a dog. The book explores themes of art, power, and femininity.

Yoder’s novel is being adapted into a new film written and directed by Marielle Heller (Teenage Girl Diary). The film stars Amy Adams, and the cast also includes Scoot McNairy, Zoe Chao, Mary Holland and Ella Thomas.

Searchlight Pictures released a trailer for the film in September, showing Adams’ character gaining fur, sharper teeth and coming to terms with her primal nature.

Night female dog in cinemas from December 6.