Book
and movie enthusiasts rejoice! A number of tales, classic and recent, are being
adapted for the big screen this year. Below are a handful that are must-see,
listed in order of their release dates:
J.M. Barrie's Peter
Pan,
first written as a play in 1904 and released in novel form in 1911, is still
going strong. Over a century after its creation, it’s inspiring yet another
film version, this time directed by Joe Wright and due out July 24, 2015.
The
original tells of the sprite Peter who whisks children Wendy, John and Michael
to the island of Neverland, where they meet a gang of Lost Boys and fight the
villainous pirate Captain Hook. Wright gives the story a unique twist, turning
Hook into a hero and saving the villainy for Blackbeard, played by the
incomparable Hugh Jackman.
Mary Shelley’s 1818
novel Frankenstein tells a story of scientific power run amok. The
brilliant scientist Victor Frankenstein discovers the key to animating life,
only to find the man he has created is more monster than man.
20th
Century Fox's horror film based on the classic arrives October 2, 2015. It
stars James McAvoy as Frankenstein and Daniel Radcliffe, of Harry Potter fame,
as deformed assistant Igor, and will be told from Igor’s point of view. Not
part of Shelley's original vision, the hunchbacked character first shows up as
Fritz in the iconic 1931 film, and later on was transformed into Ygor, played
by the great Bela Lugosi.
Veteran
director Ridley Scott helms a sci-fi adventure penned by debut novelist Andy
Weir. The Martian, due to open in 3D on November 25, 2015, is based on Weir’s 2012 book. Matt Damon stars as
astronaut Mark Watney. Stranded on Mars, he must use his ingenuity to survive
and ultimately reconnect with a rescue attempt by fellow astronauts.
Weir’s
self-published novel became a smash online before it was traditionally
published. Fans of the novel should be glad to hear that Weir has acted as a
technical advisor to screenwriter Drew Goddard and also considers the
screenplay "amazing."
This
Ron Howard directed adventure, set for release on December 11, 2015, is a
thrilling tale of 19th century sailors shipwrecked by a sperm whale and
fighting for their survival. It’s based on a true story that inspired Melville's classic Moby
Dick.
Historian
Nathaniel Philbrick recounted the events
in his 2000 National Book Award winning book. Howard, known for attention to
realistic details, reportedly has his actor/sailors eating light to better
portray the starving men of the doomed whaleship Essex.
The
Disney studio helms another version of the tale based on Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 story
collection, which contained stories about a boy named Mowgli raised by wolves
and befriended by a bear and a panther. This adaptation, directed by Jon
Favreau, will combine live action and 3D CGI. It pays homage to its 1967 Disney
predecessor (which is finally available on demand - check your local channels), including new songs
by original songwriter Richard M. Sherman. Ben Kingsley and Bill Murray will
star as Bagheera and Baloo respectively. Originally scheduled for a 2015
release, it’s now set to open in spring 2016.
Whether you love them or hate them, literary adaptations on screen provide opportunity to experience familiar stories in new forms. Readers who like to ponder that transformation have much to look forward to this year, from classic fantasy to sci-fi, horror and historic adventure.
Spencer Blohm is a freelance entertainment, culture, and lifestyle blogger. He lives and works in Chicago. When not working he can be found camped out in his apartment watching the latest films and newest television shows.
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