Books Slated to Become Movies in 2009 and 2010

Books will always be better than movies; there is no question about that fact. While some movies totally disembowel the book they are based on there are many good movie adaptations out there. Who doesn't want to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen? Most times the movies don't end up quite how we imagined and the characters don't quite fit our expectations, but it is still fun to see our favorite books turned into movies. 2009 & 2010 has quite a few book adaptations slated to be made into movies. There are many sequels of our favorite books as well as some new faces. Here is a list (not a complete one) of some books that will be hitting the big screen soon.

5-15-09 Angels & Demons: The summer movie season should be off to a good start with Dan Brown's book to movie adaptation Angels & Demons. This prequel to The Da Vinci Code places Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) in the Vatican City to uncover the mysteries of the Catholic Church. This is one movie I have been waiting to see for a while. If you liked The Da Vinci Code then you are going to love this movie. In my opinion this book was one of Dan Brown's best works. With Ron Howard back at the helm movie goers can expect a good adaptation of this book. Get ready for an excellent mystery movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. To check out the trailer for Angels & Demons go to http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1394934553/.

6-12-09 The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3: This novel by John Godey about armed men who hijack a New York City subway train looks to be promising. The movie features some big name actors such as Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Luis Guzman, and James Gandolfini. One could expect that with such A list actors that the movie should fare quite well. As for how well it is adapted from the book, we will just have to wait and see. To see a trailer for this movie go to http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1348535065/.

6-26-09 My Sister's Keeper: Jodi Picoult's smash hit novel looks to be an amazing movie this summer. When Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) learns the true nature of why she was born (to save her sister who has cancer) she hires a lawyer (Alec Baldwin) to sue her parents (Cameron Diaz & Jason Patric) for rights to her own body. If you haven't read the novel before you see this movie then you should. From what I've seen on the trailer this movie looks to be a close adaptation of the book. All I can say is when you go see this movie be prepared to cry. To view a trailer for My Sister's Keeper go to http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2679112217/.

7-15-09 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: The movie that millions of Harry Potter fans have been waiting for is finally here. Harry Potter 6 was originally set to be in theaters at the end of last year, but was pushed back to the summer of '09. This sixth installment looks to be amazing and very dark. All of the main actors are back to reprise their roles. Harry Potter fans are not new to the whole adaptation process in this series, so we can probably expect to see quite a bit cut out or modified. This J.K. Rowling book is quite large, but I'm confident that the directors will do a good job making it come out just right. If you haven't seen the latest Harry Potter 6 trailer then you need to immediately follow this link and check it out http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1061421849/.

8-14-09 The Time Traveler's Wife: The Time Traveler's Wife is a tale about a time librarian who has a gene that causes him to involuntarily travel through time, thus causing tension in his marriage. Now I'm sure that the novel by Audrey Niffenegger is probably good, but this movie sounds a bit like the not so hit NBC drama Journeyman. Hopefully actors Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana can pull off a quality adaptation and leave fans satisfied at the movie's end.

10-16-09 Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak's children's story finally comes to life in this live action fantasy about Max and his make believe world. Finally millions of fans can see their beloved story come to life on the big screen. I would imagine that this movie will be quite popular and would be enjoyable for fans of all ages. To view a trailer for Where the Wild Things Are go to http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3413574425/.

10-23-09 Amelia: Amelia is a movie about the life story of legendary female pilot, Amelia Earhart. This movie stars Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart, Ewen McGregor, Richard Gere, and Virginia Madsen. I think we can expect to see an exciting movie about Earhart's life and disappearance that is more than a documentary style film. Movie goers can look forward to this adaptation of Susan Butler and Mary Lovell's biography.

11-20-09 Twilight Saga: New Moon: Under the direction of famed fantasy director, Chris Weitz, the second installment in the Twilight Saga will hit theaters this year. With a bigger budget and higher expectations fans are hoping for a home run with this movie. I know there has been some mixed feelings among fans about how Twilight was adapted from the Stephanie Meyer novel so I am hoping and praying that this book follows the novel a bit better. I have heard some speculation and I have been following various blogs and from what I've read this movie is going to be adapted quite a bit. Since Edward didn't have a major role in the book the screen writers have tried to figure out how to give him a bigger role in the movie. Blast you Hollywood! Can't you keep the sanctity of an author's writing and not tear it up to turn a buck? We can only hope that Stephanie Meyer is closely involved in this movie to make it come out the way it should.

MOVIES FOR 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 - The seventh book in the Harry Potter book is scheduled to be split into two movies. The second part will be released in 2011.

Twilight Saga: Eclipse - With a director yet to be named for this production, who knows what is going to happen. I do know that producers are pushing this film hard and expect it to be out next summer.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - After much debate if this movie would even be made production is back on track. Fans can expect this movie to be released in December of '10.

So hopefully I have given you at least a partial list of movies to be adapted from books that will be released in the coming years. If you are planning on seeing these movies read the book first. You will appreciate the movie more and you will be going in with a watchful eye to see how well screen writers adapted it from it's novel.

Sources: www.imdb.com