C - Books Ready for Cinematic Release

I know, I know: the book is probably better than the movie could ever be, anyway. But admit it: you get excited whenever a book you like gets picked up to be a movie. I know I do.

So, let’s just pretend for a second that I’m in charge of Hollywood: these are my ten books (or series) that should be made into movies:

10: The Watershed Trilogy by Douglas Niles: Where other people read ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ I read Douglas Niles’ Watershed Trilogy. Admittedly, they probably couldn’t have made the movies the way they needed to be made in the early nineties, when the books came out. But now, I think, they could easily manage it. And I think it’s time for a good, epic fantasy for everyone that can’t stomach watching another Tolkien-based movie.

9: This Perfect Day by Ira Levin: The general consensus is that dystopias are out, utopias are in. I disagree. Dystopian fiction will never really be gone. But, if Hollywood wants to end the dystopian genre, end it the right way—one good movie. This Perfect Day is classic, American dystopian fiction. That, and we’ve already seen successful adaptations of Ira Levin’s work. Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives both started out as his novels. Who can disagree with success?

8: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin: Another classic piece of success: another planet. If, as I suspect, Hollywood is leaning straight over to the sci-fi side of the spec fic spectrum (oh hideous fate!), I cast in my vote for this. Not only is it old enough that most people will think it’s new, but it’s another movie that couldn’t have been made back when the book came out. It deals too much with sexual identity. Aside from, of course, being a wonderful story.

7: His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman: I know, they made the first one. But then they had to stop before the last two because some religious people got upset…according to rumors from the actors. But I say we should continue on. I know it’s not really possible, legally, but I can dream, can’t I?

6: The Pendragon Series by D.J. Machale: Seriously, though: make this. Now. The Hunger Games movies will only last another couple years—time for another teen movie series. And this one could rake in the dough for ten years, if they did a movie a year. Not to mention that the author has worked on screenplays before. For teens. Seriously, folks: let’s get on this.

5: The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy by Frank Beddor: I know, the movies are technically in the works…in theory. That’s why it’s only five, not closer to the top. But they’ve been ’in the works’ for a long time. I think they could hit hard right now. Alice in Wonderland will always be popular, and the way that would look would have to draw people in. I say go for it! You already have a producer, after all. And this author is another one that’s worked with film, before.

4: The Cyberiad by Stanislaw Lem: Yes, for once, this is not the top of my list. Gasp away. The format isn’t necessarily the best for a movie, but can you imagine the animated feature they could get out of this? Even if it failed miserably, I could see it becoming a cult classic. It’s that kind of weird. But, if it did become a real, Hollywood success…I think it would be really big. And it would appeal to all age groups. Can’t really beat that.

3: Lamb by Christopher Moore: Yes, that Lamb. The Gospel According to Biff. We’ve had so many movies about the church being evil, or the church being the holy savior. Why don’t we go with a ‘Jesus is funny’ movie? Lamb fills in the gaps (humorously). And honestly, I would pay just to see Jesus sitting there with a lizard hanging out of his mouth. It’s high time for a good, snarky, sarcastic comedy movie, too.

2: Hopscotch by Kevin J. Anderson: It’s an obscure book, yes, but it’s some pretty good sci-fi. Some very good sci-fi. Possibly the best serious sci-fi I’ve ever read. It feels like a movie, when you’re reading it. An incredibly complex movie, but the concept could easily sell it to viewers: a world where everyone can switch minds. Well, most everyone. And they do, and they use the heck out of that ability.

1: The Giver by Lois Lowry: Yep. The Giver. Required reading book of the century. Still a very good book, though. While I personally prefer ‘This Perfect Day,’ The Giver would probably be more successful as a movie. Better target audience, more family friendly, and more well known. Plus, I can just imagine the change in the movie. It would start black and white, then flashes of red, then finally full color. A good, striking change, I think.

So, those are my ‘should be made into movies’ books. What are yours?

Voss