It’s rare when a film adaptation lives up the book it was based on so with that in mind I have compiled a list of 40 books that have been adapted for the big screen that we can expect to see in theaters this year. This includes two books from Gillian Flynn, young adult adaptations of work by Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins and James Dashner, a short story from Dennis Lehane, a Nick Hornby adaptation, and an adaptation written by Nick Hornby, a new John le Carre adaptation and a prequel to the stories written by Tom Clancy as well as a couple comics and graphic novel adaptations from the likes of Frank Miller and Hiroshi Sakurazaka and Alexander O. Smith.
I’ve added everything I could think of and while I’m sure I missed a few, please forgive me and hopefully you’ll find something that appeals to your taste on the list.
I’ve included some of my own thoughts, information on the films, the book synopsis, trailers where available and a link to purchase any of the books at Amazon.com.
Addicted
by Zane
Directed by Bille Woodruff (Honey), this adaptation of Zane’s sex addiction novel is set for a September 5 release from Lionsgate and stars Sharon Leal in the lead role along with the likes of Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford and Tasha Smith.
Here’s the book synopsis:
For successful African-American businesswoman Zoe Reynard, finding the pleasure she wants, the way she wants it, is not worth the risk of losing everything she has: marriage to the man she has loved since childhood, a thriving company, three wonderful children. But Zoe feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction…to sex.
Finding a compassionate woman therapist to help her, Zoe finally summons the courage to tell her torrid story, a tale of guilt and desire as shocking as it is compelling. From the sensitive artist with whom she spends stolen hours on rumpled sheets to the rough and violent man who draws her toward destruction, Zoe is a woman desperately searching for fulfillment — and something darker, deeper, and perhaps deadly. As her life spins out of control and her sexual escapades carry her toward a dangerous choice, Zoe is racing against time to uncover the source of her “fatal attraction” — as chilling secrets tumble forth from the recesses of a woman’s mind, and perilous temptations lead toward a climax that can threaten her sanity, her marriage…and her life.
All You Need is Kill
by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and Alexander O. Smith
The title has been changed to Edge of Tomorrow for its theatrical release as this adaptation of “All You Need is Kill” will star Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt and is directed by Doug Liman. The film sounds something like a sci-fi, battle version of Groundhog Day with more explosions and mech suits.
The film hits theaters on June 6 and I’ve included the trailer below the book synopsis.
Here’s the book synopsis:
When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally–the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death?
Before I Go to Sleep
by S. J. Watson
This is a book I absolutely want to read before I end up seeing the film, which did make my list of most anticipated film of 2014, but I have my concerns over director Rowan Joffe. The cast includes Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth, which is fine and dandy, but twisted narratives can be tough to pull off for even the best directors… Joffe? Eh? We’ll see.
Here’s the book synopsis:
S. J. Watson makes his powerful debutwith this compelling, fast-paced psychological thriller, reminiscent of Shutter Island and Memento, in which an amnesiac who,following a mysterious accident, cannot remember her past or form new memories, desperately tries to uncover the truth about who she is–and who she can trust.
The Bible
by Various
This year we have at least two films adapted from The Bible, the first being Darren Aronofsky‘s Noah starring Russell Crowe in the title role and the other being Ridley Scott‘s Exodus starring Christian Bale as Moses.
Here’s the trailer for Noah.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BIBLE FOR FREE
Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil’s Deal
by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill
There’s no guarantee Barry Levinson‘s Black Mass, telling the story of Whitey Bulger will hit theaters this year or how far it even is in production, but it doesn’t hurt to get ahead if you’re looking to prepare yourself for next year’s list.
Here’s the book synopsis:
John Connolly and James “Whitey” Bulger grew up together on the tough streets of South Boston. Decades later in the mid-1970s, they met again. By then, Connolly was a major figure in the FBI’s Boston office and Whitey had become godfather of the Irish Mob. Connolly had an idea, a scheme that might bring Bugler into the FBI fold and John Connolly into the Bureau’s big leagues. But Bulger had other plans. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, Black Mass is the chilling true story of what happened between them–a dark deal that spiraled out of control, leading to drug dealing, racketeering, and murder.
