Book to screen adaptation: These books are being made into series and films

International bestselling author Elena Ferrante's second book 'The Days of Abandonment' will soon be adapted for screen. And news is that actress Natalie Portman will feature in the movie. Portman will not only act but also executive produce the film; while Maggie Betts will write, direct and produce it. 'The Days of Abandonment' is Ferrante's first book to be translated into English by Ann Goldstein. The book tells the story of a woman who is abandoned by her husband with two young kids to take care of. Trapped inside her high-rise apartment, she is forced to face her fears-- a loss of identity and a possibility of her life never returning to normalcy.

(Photo: Natalie Portman/ Instagram; Europa)

William Gibson's 2014 novel 'The Peripheral' is being adapted into a sc-fi thriller web series. News is that the show will star actor Jack, Chloe Grace Moretz and Gary Carr. The book's blurb reads, 'The story of a young woman caught between two worlds, The Peripheral interweaves two futures - pre-apocalypse USA and post-apocalypse London - to tell a story which gets right to heart of the way we live now'.

(Photo: Penguin)

This 1985 book won the US National Book Award for Fiction. It follows a pioneer of Hitler studies, who teaches at a school. He and his current wife are terrified of death and takes an almost living role when a airbourne toxin spreads and his wife Babette takes part in a psychopharmaceutical study.

Filmmaker Noah Baumbach is adapting the book and a report in The Film Stage says Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig will be starring in it.

Photo: Picador

Though the popular legal thriller already has a movie adaptation, it will be getting a webseries version. It follows Mickey Haller an attorney in LA who works out of a car.

The show will be made by writers David E Kelley and Ted Humphrey, who will also executive produce alongside Ross Fineman and Michael Connelly, as reported by Collider. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo will be playing the lead.

With a bookworm protagonist and several interesting characters this book it was relatable to many readers and has already been adapted. However the upcoming will be adapted to the award winning musical made from the book.

It will be directed by Matthew Warchus, who was in charge of the original 2010 West End production of the musical. Alisha Weir is playing Matilda, Lashana Lynch is playing Miss Honey and Emma Thompson will play Miss Trunchbull.

Author Douglas Stuart won the prestigious Booker Prize 2020 for his debut novel 'Shuggie Bain'. Now news is that the book will be adapted for television. According to a report by Hollywood Reporter, A24 and Scott Rudin Productions, who will be adapting the book for screen, said, "Douglas Stuart is an incredibly talented and sophisticated writer, capturing his world and characters with the kind of authenticity, rhythm, vivid detail, and heartbreaking emotion that you rarely see in any book, let alone a debut novel... We are so excited to work with him to tell this powerful and deeply moving story in a new way." Set in Glasgow in the 1980s, 'Shuggie Bain' follows the story of a young boy as he takes care of his alcoholic mother while dealing with his own issues of coming out of the closet.

(Photo: Booker Prizes/ Twitter)

Author Tom Cooper's novel 'Florida Man' is being adapted into a limited series and actor Joel Edgerton will portray the lead role in it. Joel Edgerton, who has previously worked in films including 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Warrior', will also be an executive producer for the series, reports Deadline. Published in July 2020, 'Florida Man' is a dark-humour story which spans across generations. The story follows a man who decides to live his life on his terms; but despite staying landlocked at just one place, life and the world still catch up with him. The screen adaptation of the book will be written by Graham Gordy.

(Photo: Random House)

Andy McDermott's bestselling fantasy-fiction book 'The Hunt for Atlantis' is being adapted into a movie. The book follows the story of Nina Wilde, an NYU grad student and Archaeologist, who teams up with Eddie Chase, an ex-SAS British bodyguard. They are sent on a voyage across the world by a tech-billionaire. Their mission: to find a legendary lost city. The book's rights have been acquired by an online streaming platform and there are plans to develop it into a franchise property, reports Deadline.

Maggie O'Farrell won the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020 for her historical fiction novel 'Hamnet'. Days later since she won the award, news is that BBC has bought the screen rights of the book from the author. Set in the 1590s, 'Hamnet' is a story about the tragic death of Shakespeare's son Hamnet at a young age during the spread of the bubonic plague in England and how it affected the bard's family. It is believed that Hamnet's death inspired Shakespeare to write the classic 'Hamlet'. Confirming the news, Maggie O'Farrell said, according to inews, "We sold the screen rights and the BBC has it at the moment. I don’t know when it will happen because I don’t imagine the world of Hamnet will be cheap to recreate."

(Photo: Women's Prize/ Twitter)

The classic children's novel "The Westing Game" is going to be adapted into a series.

The potential adaptation of the book, which was written by author Ellen Raskin in 1978, hails from MGM/UA Television, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Julie Corman, who owns rights to the novel, will serve as an executive producer.

'The Westing Game' is an ensemble mystery-comedy that begins with the death of millionaire Samuel Westing. The reading of his will sets in motion a game for his 16 heirs unlike any other, the winners of which will walk away with his $200 million fortune.

The book had won the Newbery Medal and was number one among all-time children's novels by School Library Journal in 2012.

The companies and Corman are currently interviewing writers and directors who will adapt the book for television.

Photo: Wikipedia

The bestselling author Meg Cabot is getting another adaptation to one of her book series.

Her popular Mediator series which released in the 2000s is being adapted into a series of movies. The script will be written by writer-director Sarah Spillane, who is working with Debra Martin Chase who adapted Cabots popular Princess Diaries books into two movies.

Unfortunately, shooting won't start for sometime. Sarah told IF, “We were originally going to shoot The Mediator first but due to COVID-19 we have switched."

“I am beyond excited to cast the role of Suze (the bad-ass lead) and her Latino love interest Jesse, but have no one specific in mind yet. And yes – maybe we could shoot in Australia.”

The series follows Susannah “Suze” Simon, a teenager who can see, touch, and talk to ghosts. Her has to help them move on after death. She has many adventures dealing with troublesome spirits and the series watches her grow her powers.

Photo: megcabot.com

The author of the popular Artemis Fowl series is getting another webseries adaptation. His book 'Highfire' will be adapted and Nicolas Cage is set to voice the lead character.

The book is an adult fantasy, about a dragon named Vern who loves vodka and flashdance and has been hiding away from the world in a Louisiana bayou.

Colfer said, "I am thrilled that Vern has found a home for himself on Amazon. 'Get Shorty'’s Davey Holmes and the Oscar-winning Nic Cage, who has embodied so many unforgettable characters, make for a once-in-a-lifetime stream team," as reported by the Bookseller.

Publisher Jo Fletcher added, "Nic Cage and Davey Holmes? I couldn't think of a better match and cannot wait to see them bring Vern to exuberant life!"

Photo: Harper Perennial, EoinColfer/Twitter

Jamaican-American Tik Tok star Sarah Cooper has also published three books between 2016 and 2018. And now, news is that a comedy show inspired by Cooper's book 'How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings' is being made. Cooper, who is known for her videos about President Donald Trump, will be working on the show as a co-writer and executive producer. According to a report by PTI, 'The series would follow three women at different stages in their careers at a male-dominated company as they help each other navigate gender politics in their careers and personal lives'.

'The Winds of War and War and Remembrance' by Herman Wouk will soon be adapted into a limited series by actor-writer Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane and Seth Fisher are developing the project, Deadline reported. 'Winds of War' follows the story of an American family's journey across continents during the turbulent times of World War 2. Talking about the new project, MacFarlane said, according to Deadline, "I've been a devoted fan of Wouk's WW II epic for decades, and its depiction of small-scale human endurance in the face of large-scale global upheaval has never been more relevant than it is today".

Femi Fadugba's debut book 'The Upper World', the first book in a planned sci-fi series, will now be made into a movie. British actor Daniel Kaluuya will play the lead role in the upcoming sci-fi movie 'The Upper World'. According to ANI, "The story follows Esso, a man caught in a deadly feud who realises he has an unexpected gift: access to a world where he can see glimpses of the past and the future.A generation away, Rhia is walking to football practice in 2035, unaware that the mysterious stranger she's about to meet desperately needs her help to avert a bullet fired 15 years ago." The next books in the series are expected to be published 2021 and 2022.

(Photo: Daniel Kaluuya/ Wikimedia Commons)

Ta-Nehisi Coates' 'Between the World and Me' will soon be adapted for screen featuring Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza- founder of 'Black Lives Matter' among others. Written in the form of a letter to his son, 'Between the World and Me' was published in 2015. This non-fiction book is a bold yet personal literary work that explores America's racial history. The screen-adaptation, which will be aired later this year, will be directed by Kamilah Forbes; Coates and Watson will executive produce the show, reports PTI.

(Photo: One World)

Author David F Ross' comic novel 'The Rise and Fall of the Miraculous Vespas' has been adapted for an online drama and it will be aired on July 30. This is the second book in the popular Disco Days Trilogy which is published by Orenda Books. The story is about a young Ayrshire band which has a delusional teenage manager. With a stroke of luck, the band gains overnight fame. But Max Mojo’s band is full of talented social misfits. Will they be able to repeat their success and give back their debts which are accrued from local gangsters? Or will they be forced to kidnap Boy George just for money? The online drama is jointly produced by Borderline Theatre Company and Ayr Gaiety Theatre. 'The film will be produced in three 20-minute acts as part of Gaiety Lockdown Season, available to view via the theatre's channel, followed by a live discussion with the cast and creatives behind the play', reads a report by The Bookseller. The screenplay is co-written by Ross and actor-playwright-director Stuart Hepburn. Talking about the screen-adaptation of his book, Ross said according to The Bookseller, "My initial idea for how this would work has been completely surpassed. The cast have brought amazing talent to the piece. Overall, it’s so much more than I hoped for. The creative experience has been really special, and a lot of fun."

(Photo: Orenda Books)

This psychological thriller is going to be adapted into a multi part drama series.

Set in New Delhi, the book follows Anjali Morgan, an Indian American psychiatrist raising an autistic son and Jatin Bhatt, an ambitious police commissioner. When a horrific crime spree happens, both of them are caught in it and have to face their past and unveil new secrets.

The author is a writer and activist. All proceeds of the book went towards her chosen causes: the educational charity Project WHY, and theChhaanv foundation, which helps acid attack survivors.

Biswas said, "Thanks to Ed Wilson and Sidharth Jain, You Beneath Your Skin has been optioned by a wonderful brand like Endemol Shine India. I’m pleased that Jatin and Anjali’s journey is headed for screens, highlighting voices against poverty and acid violence."

Photo: damyantiwrites.com

King of Horror, Stephen King's 2009 novella 'Throttle' is being adapted into a feature. Co-authored by Stephen King and Joe Hill, 'Throttle' follows a father-son duo who lead a biker gang that is terrorised by a rig truck driver in America. According to PTI, Warner Media's streaming service HBO Max has acquired the rights of the novella from King and Hill. Some other Stephen King books adapted by Warner Media include 'Carrie', 'It' and 'Doctor Sleep'.

Photo: William Morrow

Italian novelist Elena Ferrante's new book 'The Lying Life of Adults' will be made into a web series. 'The Lying Life of Adults' was released in Italy in 2019, while it will be published in the UK by Europa Editions in September this year. The book follows the story of Giovanna, the protagonist, as she transitions from childhood to adolescence in Naples, Italy during the 1990s.

Photo: Europa Editions

After the success of the screen adaptation of 'Normal People', news is that Sally Rooney's debut book 'Conversations with Friends' will also be adapted for TV. BBC had announced the development in February 2020, soon after which the UK went into a lockdown and there's no news on when the new series will be aired. Released in 2017, 'Çonversations with Friends' is also set in Dublin and it tells the story of Frances and Bobbi, who are exes yet best friends. When they meet Melissa and Nick, they start scrutinising their own complicated relationship. Buzz is that many people who worked on 'Normal People' TV series will also work together for 'Conversations with Friends' screen adaptation. For instance, Lenny Abrahamson directed 'Normal People' And she will work on 'Conversations With Friends' too; or Alice Birch will write a few episodes for 'Çonversations with Friends' series.

(Photo: Faber & Faber)

'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo, which won of the 2019 Booker Prize, will be adapted to screen by Potboiler Television.

The company is run by Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood and recently won the rights to adapt it. It has adapted 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters and is currently working on 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Hopefully they will do justice to this adaptation.

“We are delighted to be working with Bernardine on bringing this vibrant and joyous novel to the screen. It is a vivid and authentic as well as important story of our times,” Gail Egan said, as reported by Deadline.

The book is about modern Britain and it follows several characters through their lives. The characters are mostly black and mostly women. It has recently been long listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020.

Photo: bevaristo.com

Roald Dahl's sugar-filled tale of the boy inside a magical chocolate factory has had movie adaptations before, most recently the one with Johnny Depp, but now it will come to screen as an animated webseries.

The project will be written, directed, and executively produced by none other than Taika Waititi, who recently released a movie Jojo Rabbit based on the book 'Caging Skies' by Christine Leunens. The movie has already won several awards. His creativity will no doubt make the tale more vibrant and insane. He is also doing another animated series on the Oompa-Loompas!

“In the words of Willy Wonka himself — we are ‘Delighted! Charmed! Overjoyed!’ with Taika’s appointment on this project," Gideon Simeloff, the entertainment director for the Roald Dahl Story Company, told Variety in a statement. "There is something undeniably Wonka-esque about Taika’s creative flair and inimitable sense of humor."

Photo: Wikipedia, Puffin Books

This classic YA novel was written in 1970 and is still being read by preteens and teens today. It follows the story of a young girl changing towns and crossing several milestones of her preteen years- making new friends, getting her first bra, having her first crush and through it all confiding in God. Her parents are from different faiths so her grandparents' attempts to sway her religiously are an important part of the book.

No adaptations of Judy Blume's books have been made but last August she sent out a tweet saying, "So which of my books, kids and/or adult would you want to see adapted for series or movie? I ask because I’m in LA meeting with many talented people. I think the time has come." Clearly the meetings went well for Kelly Fremon Craig signed on to write and direct a film. The studio will be Lionsgate.

"This title was an anthem when we first read it as teens, and it remains timeless and relevant because nothing has captured the coming-of-age experience with the same authenticity, truth and respect," president of production Erin Westermansaid in a statement to Variety. "For that reason, Judy Blume is a beacon for women and girls."

Photo: Wikipedia, Macmillan Children's Books

Arvind Adiga's debut novel 'The White Tiger' which was published in 2008 is now being made into a movie starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rajkummar Rao. Adiga won the Man Booker Prize for this novel in 2008. 'The White Tiger' follows Balram Halwai, a darkly comic Bangalore driver, as he shares about poverty and corruption in modern India’s caste society. Reviewing the book, The New York Times wrote, “'The White Tiger' is a penetrating piece of social commentary, attuned to the inequalities that persist despite India’s new prosperity. It correctly identifies — and deflates — middle-class India’s collective euphoria.” The upcoming movie adaptation will be directed by 'Fahrenheit 451' director Ramin Bahrani.

(Photo: Free Press)

Canadian-author Margaret Atwood’s latest novel 'The Testaments' will soon be adapted into a TV show by Hulu and MGM. 'The Testaments' is a sequel of Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'. It is set 15 years after the last scene in 'The Handmaid's Tale' and takes the story ahead. Readers will finally get to know about Offred's fate after she was caught and taken in a van. Unlike the first book, the sequel is not written from Offred's point of view but instead from three women connected to Gilead, according to an extract published by The Guardian. According to TIME magazine, it's not yet clear if the adaptation of 'The Testaments' will be a part of the existing series based on 'The Handmaid's Tale' or will be made into a separate show. 'The Testaments' will release on September 10 and it is already shortlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize.

(Photo: Chatto & Windus)