Anyone doubting the power of a good book-to-screen adaptation need only look at hit TV series such as the Queen’s Gambit or Game of Thrones, for that matter. These works stand as a testament to how far screen adaptations can go in making previously overlooked literary works the topic of everyone’s conversations.
In an industry saturated with cliches and popular remakes, books act as a true gold mine of unique ideas and interesting plots just waiting to be uncovered – and production companies like Netflix are well aware of this. Despite 2020 forcing many of us to spend more time in front of our screens than we otherwise would, things aren’t so bleak, thanks to these 10 amazing upcoming book-to-screen adaptations coming next year.
The Dry (January 1)
First to hit the cinema screens is The Dry, a movie adaptation of Jane Harper’s award-winning novel of the same name. Directed by Robert Connolly, the movie focuses on a police agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) who investigates the suspicious death of his childhood friend and his family.
But, it only brings him back to a decades-old murder of young Ellie Deacon which made him realize these crimes are unexpectedly connected. This murder mystery will be released on New Year’s Day starring Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, and Keir O’Donnell.
Chaos Walking (January 22)
Directed by Doug Liman, Chaos Walking is an adaptation of Patrick Ness’s dystopian novel The Knife of Never Letting Go. This first part of Ness’s Chaos Walking trilogy centers around young Todd Hewitt (Tom Holland) who lives in a womanless society where everyone communicates telepathically thanks to a mysterious force called “The Noise.”
However, everything changes when Todd discovers a girl named Viola (Daisy Ridley) whom he wants to protect from his town secrets. Chaos Walking has faced numerous delays and reshoots, but it’s finally going to premiere next month – something every sci-fi lover should keep in mind.
Cherry (February 26)
Tom Holland gets a lead role in another upcoming movie, Cherry, based on Nico Walker’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. Directed by the famous Russo brothers, this American drama follows a college freshman (Holland) who eventually becomes an army medic suffering from PTSD.
Haunted by his Iraq memories, he starts abusing drugs which puts him in debt and leads to him becoming a bank robber. The movie is expected to be released in February 2021. The supporting cast includes Ciara Bravo (who plays Emily – the protagonist’s wife), Jack Reynor, and Michael Rispoli.
Infinite (May 28)
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Infinite is an upcoming sci-fi movie based on D. Eric Maikranz’s debut novel The Reincarnationist Papers. The story follows Evan Michaels (Mark Wahlberg) whose inexplicable visions are memories from his past lives.
This amazing discovery leads him to the Cognomina, a secret organization of individuals who reincarnate with the same capability as Evan. Besides Wahlberg, the movie features acting talents such as Dylan O’Brien, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jason Mantzoukas. So, if you are a fan of enigmatic scenarios, consider adding Infinite to your watchlist.
Cruella (May 28)
Dodie Smith’s children’s novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians already has several screen adaptations, including the upcoming Graig Gillespie’s Cruella. This crime comedy is supposed to be a prequel-of-sorts to the prior live-action 101 Dalmatians (1996). To be precise, the plot centers around one of the most iconic Disney villains – Estella “Cruella” de Vil.
Cruella, an eccentric fashion designer obsessed with dog fur, is portrayed by Emma Stone while other cast members include Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Emma Thompson. Originally planned to be released this December, the movie is expected to hit the big screen next May.
Deep Water (August 13)
The center of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller Deep Water is a young couple, Melinda and Vic Van Allen, portrayed by Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck, in the upcoming movie adaptation by Adrian Lyne.
To make a long story short, the couple lives in an open marriage thanks to the husband (Affleck) who permits his spouse (de Armas) to have affairs. However, their toxic relationship full of mind games escalates when Vic ends up being the main suspect in the killing of Melinda’s lovers.
Death On The Nile (September 17)
Death on the Nile certainly isn’t the first screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name (and probably won’t be the last). As a follow-up to the Murder on the Orient Express (2017) this crime mystery movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh – who also portrays Hercule Poirot.
The story takes place on the S. S. Karnak, cruising on the Nile where this well-known Belgian detective investigates the murder of Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) in hopes of finding the killer before another tragedy happens. Besides Branagh and Gadot, the movie features Russell Brand, Annette Bening, and Tom Bateman.
Dune (October 1)
Adapted from Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, Dune is a sci-fi movie directed by Denis Villeneuve. The plot centers around Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) whose noble family is obligated to take care of the planet Arrakis (known as Dune), which is the only source of “The Spice” – a drug that increases human life and mental abilities.
However, unexpected betrayal forces Paul and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) into the perilous desert where the natives of Arrakis live. The cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson.
The Last Duel (October 15)
This historical drama is directed by Ridley Scott and based on Eric Jager’s book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France.
Not much is known about it except that the lead role belongs to Matt Damon who plays Jean de Carrouges – a knight who has to challenge his best friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) to a duel. Other cast members include Jodie Comer as de Carrouges’ wife whom Le Gris raped and Ben Affleck as King Charles VI.
The Nightingale (December 22)
The Nightingale is a historical drama by Melanie Laurent based on Kristin Hannah’s international bestseller of the same name. Both the movie and the book bring to life a story of two sisters who struggle to pull through the German occupation of France during World War II.
It’s interesting to mention that the story was inspired by women of the French Resistance who rescued Jewish families and helped Allied aviators escape Nazi territory. Starring Elle and Dakota Fanning (real-life sisters) as Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol, the movie adaptation of this beautiful novel will be released in December 2021.
