No other source is better than a novel when it comes to finding a solid plot for filming new media. As a result, producers and studios often seek out popular, exciting books that they can adapt easily. This brings a beloved novel to life, fulfilling the dreams of readers across the world!
The news of such book adaptations is always buzzing around at the start of the year. This year is no different; a lot of novels are being released as films or TV shows across the twelve months. Here are 10 books being turned into movies or series that have already caused a stir.
Fool Me Once – Harlan Coben
Released: January 1st, 2024 (Netflix).
Starting off the year with a bang is the movie adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel, Fool Me Once. In this book, Maya, an ex-soldier and a recent widower, discovers something absolutely unthinkable. She sees, through her nanny cam, her very-deceased husband, Joe, playing with their little daughter. This prompts her on a hunt to investigate the mystery of her back-from-dead husband, leading her to uncover bone-chilling secrets!
The mystery is thrilling, as you’d expect, and it’s been flawlessly captured in the new Netflix series. Playing Maya’s role is Michelle Keegan, while Richard Armitage fills the shoes of Joe, Maya’s husband. The supporting cast includes Adeel Akhtar, Joanna Lumley, and Emmett J. Scanlan. The series has only been on Netflix for a few days – and it’s already on the top 10 TV shows list!
The Expatriates – Janice Y.K. Lee
To be released: January 26th, 2024 (Prime Video).
In Janice Y. K. Lee’s The Expatriates, readers meet three American women – who are expats – in Hong Kong. They lead different lives. Hilary is a wealthy housewife who wants to be a mother. Mercy, a Korean-American graduate, doesn’t seem to have a goal or will to live. And Margaret, a mother of three, wants to explore herself out of the mother mould. Yet, the three get tangled with each other in a way neither the characters nor the readers expect!
This 2016 book was picked up by Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films to be turned into a television series. Along with being an executive producer, Kidman is also filling the role of Margaret. Sarayu Blue and Jack Huston play Hilary and David Starr, while Ji-Young Yoo is cast as Mercy. Premiering on Amazon Prime Video, Expats will be shedding light on how spirited and close-knit the expatriate community is.
Force of Nature – Jane Harper
To be released: February 8th, 2024 (Theatrical Release).
Jane Harper has given the literary world the phenomenal Federal Agent, Aaron Falk, through a murder-mystery trilogy. The first has already been adapted; now it’s time to bring the second one on screen! The novel shows ten work colleagues on a camping retreat in forested mountains. They split up – five women and five men – to hike until the finish line. However, only four women arrive at the destination, all of whom are bruised and bloody. Falk and his partner, Cameron, hop on the case, solving the bloody disappearance one step up the mountain at a time.
The movie adaptation was set to release in 2023, having been one of the most-anticipated Australian movies. However, this film will be released worldwide in February of this year when Eric Bana returns to play the beloved Aaron Falk. Supporting him in the movie are Jacqueline McKenzie, Tony Briggs, and Richard Roxburgh!
It Ends with Us – Colleen Hoover
To be released: February 9th, 2024 (Theatrical release).
It Ends with Us, when released in 2016, had taken the world by storm! Why would it not? The story of Lily and Ryle was equally as intriguing and saddening. After moving someplace new, Lily falls for Ryle, a sweet and kind man. But their deceptively happy relationship soon sours when Lily runs into Atlas, her ex-lover. Amidst it all, the ghosts of Lily’s childhood resurface, forcing Lily to make some difficult decisions.
A problem with the adaptation is that fans protested the fact that the ages of the actors don’t match the ages of the characters. But once the author gave her reasoning, everyone has been practically on their haunches awaiting the movie eagerly. And now, the adaptation is finally hitting the cinemas on February 9th. It is directed by Justin Baldoni, who also plays the role of Ryle. He is paired with Blake Lively, who’s back on the big screen after two years as Lily! Atlas is played by the handsome Brandon Sklenar, while Jenny Slate and Hasan Minhaj play Allysa and Marshall, respectively.
The Three-Body Problem – Liu Cixin
To be released: March 21st, 2024 (Netflix).
Liu Cixin, in her Three-Body trilogy, weaves a brilliant sci-fi narrative through the story of an astrophysicist. Ye Wenjie sees her father murdered during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and is branded as a traitor. Shipped to a remote labour brigade, she’s recruited by two military physicists who are busy trying to damage spy satellites. But the truth about their experiment is much more sinister, putting Ye in unfathomable danger.
The Three-Body trilogy was picked up by the Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss back in 2020. Rosalind Chao plays Ye Wenjie, with the rest of the cast including Benedict Wong, Eiza González, John Bradley, and Liam Cunningham. Through the teaser, it is evident that the series will be packed with mind-boggling action and thrilling twists! And you can experience it all on March 21st, 2024.
Mickey7 – Edward Ashton
To be released: March 29th, 2024 (Theatrical Release).
Released in 2022, Mickey7 is a sci-fi brainchild of Edward Ashton that follows Mickey Barnes, an expendable space explorer. In his world, these expendables can be cloned or replaced as soon as they die, with most of their memories intact. Mickey’s 7th clone is on a deadly mission – colonizing Niflheim – when he is presumed dead after a routine scouting. When he returns, he realizes he’s already been replaced by Mickey8. Now, he has to survive through the chaos – of his life and human civilization.
If you can’t imagine how the story goes, don’t worry! It’s being adapted into a film called Mickey17, directed by Bong Joon-ho. Admittedly, the author has revealed that Bong has changed the story a lot and supports the director’s creative vision. Starring in this movie are Robert Pattinson – playing the titular character, Mickey – Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Steven Yeun.
The Watchers – A. M. Shine
To be released: June 7th, 2024 (Theatrical Release).
A.M. Shine’s The Watchers is a horror fantasy drenched in the charm of Irish mythology. The protagonist, Mina, is about to pass through a mysterious forest when her car breaks down. In search of help, Mina comes across a screaming woman who guides her to shelter. Horrifyingly, the shelter is essentially an observation box for terrifying creatures who appear at nightfall.
The book successfully sets a chilling atmosphere in your mind, and now you can see it with your eyes, too! Ishana Night Shyamalan, the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, has decided to make this book her directorial debut. The movie will hit the theatres on June 7th, starring Dakota Fanning as the young artist Mina. The rest of the cast includes Georgina Campbell and Olwen Fouéré. Owing to her splendid work on her father’s movies, this movie is already on the list of most anticipated horror movies this year!
Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson:
To be released: August 2nd, 2024 (Theatrical Release).
If you love to read children’s books, you have probably come across Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon! This book is a simple affair – a four-year-old boy named Harold can create anything with his purple crayon. He goes on a stroll in the night and returns home after a magical adventure. This novel – and the subsequent series – became a favourite, praised for its themes of reality and a child’s imagination.
The talks of turning this beloved character into a movie have been going on since the early 2010s. But it was finally confirmed back in 2021 that fans of this book would see a live-action adaptation. Carlos Saldanha is directing the film, which will star Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Ravi Patel, and Lil Rel Howery. There is no inkling about whether the original story will be seen as it is in the film. But it’s guaranteed that the cinema halls will be filled on August 2nd!
The Amateur – Robert Littell
To be released: November 8th, 2024 (Theatrical Release).
Robert Littell, known for his spy novels, has woven the same charm through his 1981 novel, The Amateur. It follows the story of Charlie Heller, a cryptographer for the CIA, who recently lost his fiancé to a terrorist attack. Heller wants his agency to go after the terrorists, but when they refuse, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He’s essentially an amateur, trying to navigate the world of terrorism, eventually coming across danger he never thought of.
Admittedly, a movie on the book is already in the film archives, released the same year as the novel. However, the 2024 version promises a lot more action and thrill! Playing the role of Charles Heller is Rami Malek, who is also the executive producer of the film. He’s joined by actors like Laurence Fishburne, Caitriona Balfe, Adrian Martinez, and Julianne Nicholson. With the thrilling direction of James Hawes, the movie is all set to release in November of 2024.
Turtles All the Way Down – John Green
To be Released: 2024 (HBO Max).
Turtles All the Way Down is one of the most famous books of John Green. It tells the story of Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old teenager with anxiety and OCD. She gets involved in a hunt for a missing billionaire with her friend, who also happens to be her friend’s father. Starting a relationship with the said friend is not easy, thanks to her mental disorders. Soon, she realizes she has bigger problems on her plate – well, bigger than finding the missing billionaire.
This novel went on to resonate with many readers, remaining on the New York bestseller list for 62 weeks! So, it’s no surprise that the book was picked up adaptation right after it was released. It was originally picked up by Fox 2000 Pictures, who had also produced two other Green’s novels. But the project was soon shifted to New Line Cinema, with HBO Max taking the distribution rights. Isabela Merced is cast as Aza Holmes, Cree Cicchino plays Daisy, and Felix Mallard acts as Davis.
Final Words
The genres of the chosen books are vastly different, from horror and thriller to young adult and sci-fi. But all of them promise something special – a story you were only able to read… until now! Additionally, series that have already been released – such as Bridgerton and The Sandman – are getting new seasons in 2024. As you can see, it’s a packed year for readers and binge-watchers!
