Look out for Hollywood's more book adaptations

Big screen adaptations of books have always attracted film audiences. Be it JK Rowling’s famous Harry Potter series that saw a franchise of eight films, or evergreen classics like The Godfather series, which is still ranked among some of the best movies and is a must have in everyone’s movie library, Hollywood has always taken inspiration from popular books. The latest examples include the recently released Twilight series’ grand finale and Life of Pi that are still raking in moolah at the world box office. Here’s presenting to you a list of some upcoming silver screen versions of popular books that you might have read. Take your pick.

The Great Gatsby
A 1925 novel by author F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby captures the glamour of New York in the 1920s. Its film version is about human relationships and the tragedies hidden behind the superficial trappings of wealth. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film, which will feature actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead alongside actors Toby Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Isla Fisher, will hit theatres on May 10, 2013.

Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, written in the 19th century, has already seen numerous big and small screen adaptations and versions in different languages. Now, British filmmaker Joe Wright has brought the book to the big screen once again. Though the film has already released abroad, it is yet to release in India. Actor Keira Knightley, the lead in this film, will once again be seen portraying a 19th century woman. In the flick, she plays a married woman who gets entangled in a scandalous love affair. Her story serves as a commentary on the social conventions, class distinctions, and role of women in that era. Actor Jude Law stars opposite Keira in the flick.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Set to release on December 14, the highly awaited prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the first of another trilogy. Based on JRR Tolkien’s 1937 fantasy novel, it is set in the time “between the Dawn and the Dominion of Men.” It follows the character Bilbo Baggins’s quest to secure a piece of the treasure guarded by Smaug, a dragon, as he travels through Middle Earth. This film covers the hobbit’s journey with a group of dwarves. The film stars actors Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis, among others, and has been directed by Peter Jackson.

Les Miserables
Les Miserables is a critically acclaimed 19th century novel based on the social injustices and struggles of the working class during that particular time period in France. Its film version, directed by Tom Hooper, stars actors Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried in the lead. Before the big screen adaptation, this literary work was made into a popular musical in 1980. Carrying that trend forward, the actors in this movie have reportedly done their own singing during the filming, with an attempt to add emotional depth and realism to the story. The film will be hitting the theatres on January 16, 2013.

The Perks of Being aWallflower
Having already released in the US in September, this film is yet to be released in India. The comedy-drama is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel of the same name starring actors Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller in the lead. It has been directed by the novel’s author, Stephen Chbosky. The coming-of-age tale is filled with numerous pop culture references that struck a chord with teenagers after the novel’s release in 1999.

The Host
Based on Twilight’s author, Stephanie Meyer’s novel by the same name, The Host revolves around parasitic aliens called ‘Souls’, who invade Earth to possess human minds. One such pair — Melanie and Wandrer, get trapped in each other’s memories. The rest of the story is about how both decide to set off and find their loved ones. Directed by Andrew Niccol, the film stars actors Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, and Jake Abel in the lead. It will hit cinemas on March 29, 2013.

Other upcoming adaptations...
The Hunger Games - Part II and III
Carrie
The Mortal Instruments: city of Bones
World War Z