Moviefone Editorial

Tag: adaptations

  • Ben Platt, Beanie Feldstein to Star in Multi-Year Richard Linklater-Directed Film: Report

    Ben Platt, Beanie Feldstein to Star in Multi-Year Richard Linklater-Directed Film: Report

    Ben Platt; Beanie Feldstein
    Netflix; United Artists Rising

    There are plans to adapt the Stephen Sondheim musical “Merrily We Roll Along” to film, and pieces seem to be falling into place nicely.

    “Boyhood” director Richard Linklater will direct a multi-year movie with stars Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein, according to Collider. The publication’s sources also say Ginger Sledge and Blumhouse’s Jason Blum are on board. For now, there’s been no official confirmation of the news.

    The project sounds like an interesting one, not to mention a huge undertaking. Like the musical, it would follow characters over two decades. Linklater, who has ample experience working with actors over many years, is said to intend to shoot it over an extended time period.

    The musical — itself based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s play of the same name — centers on Franklin Shepard, a Broadway musical composer who left his friends and songwriting ambitions behind to produce Hollywood movies. It moves backward, showing the moments and decisions that altered his path. In order to capture the many years the story covers, Linklater will shoot in reverse chronological order, Collider’s sources say.

    Platt’s character is reportedly Shepard, while Feldstein will portray Mary Flynn, his close friend and a film critic. The two both appeared in “The Female Brain,” and each has a series on the way. Platt will star in “The Politican” on Netflix, while Feldstein has a main role in “American Crime Story: Impeachment.” Recent films for him include “Drunk Parents” and “Run This Town,” and hers include “Booksmart” and “Lady Bird.”

    For now, we’d better get used to waiting for this movie, because it sounds like it won’t be released for a long, long time.

    [via: Collider]

  • Rachel Weisz to Star in and Produce ‘Lanny’ Film Adaptation

    Rachel Weisz to Star in and Produce ‘Lanny’ Film Adaptation

    Rachel Weisz in The Favourite
    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    Max Porter’s second novel, “Lanny,” hasn’t been released yet, but there is already a movie in the works, not to mention an Oscar-winning actress on board. Rachel Weisz will star in the “Lanny” adaptation, Variety reports. She is also producing with Tristan Goligher of The Bureau.

    The book follows the success of Porter’s debut novel, “Grief Is the Thing With Feathers.” Due out May 14, “Lanny” tells the story of a boy who vanishes from a small village outside of London. Character details haven’t been revealed, but that isn’t surprisingly considering a script still needs to be written. Producers are reportedly looking for a screenwriter now.

    Weisz most recently starred in “The Favourite” and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She previously won in that category after starring in 2005’s “The Constant Gardener.” It may be that she’s found her next winner, but we’ll have to wait and see.

    [via: Variety]

  • FX Developing Cartel-Centric TV Series Based on Don Winslow Trilogy

    FX Developing Cartel-Centric TV Series Based on Don Winslow Trilogy

    Don Winslow's Power of the Dog book series covers
    Penguin Random House; Penguin Random House; HarperCollins

    A TV series based on Don Winslow‘s Power of the Dog novels is in the works at FX.

    The network has acquired the rights to the trilogy, Deadline reports. The book series consists of 2005’s “The Power of the Dog,” 2015’s “The Cartel,” and 2019’s “The Border,” and they’ll all inspire the TV version. The books center on DEA Agent Art Keller, a man who has spent decades embroiled in the War on Drugs. He takes on Adán Barrera, the lethal leader of the Sinoloa Cartel.

    Winslow is involved with the series as an executive producer, alongside Ridley Scott and Shane Salerno. The latter is set to co-write the pilot with a writer who has not yet been announced. They’ll be joined by a showrunner that hasn’t been named, either. FX is producing alongside The Story Factory.

    John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions, made the deal, and he is very familiar with Winslow and Salerno. They all worked together on the 2001 NBC series “UC: Undercover.” He shared his excitement about this latest project, saying in a statement that “nothing excites the team at FX more than the daunting challenge of helping great creators make a television show as ambitious and good as the epically acclaimed books on which it will be based.”

    We look forward to seeing if it’s as “epically” good as we hope it will be.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Rick Famuyiwa to Direct ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Adaptation

    Rick Famuyiwa to Direct ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Adaptation

    Rick Famuyiwa
    Frank Masi/Courtesy of HBO)

    Tomi Adeyemi’s  bestselling YA novel “Children of Blood and Bone” is getting the movie treatment, and director Rick Famuyiwa is on board.

    The “Confirmation” director has signed on for Fox 2000’s action fantasy film, THR reports. He’ll direct from a script by David Magee, the screenwriter behind “Mary Poppins Returns.” The adaptation’s source material is the first book in a planned trilogy.

    The story follows heroine Zélie Adebola, who lives in the once-magical kingdom of Orïsha, where a ruthless king suppresses the people who practice magic, the maji. Teaming up with a rogue princess, Zélie embarks on a mission to restore magic. Standing in their way, however, is the crown prince and a variety of other dangers and challenges.

    Famuyiwa is apparently a fan of Adeyemi, having retweeted her announcement that the book was “finally out in the world” when it was published in March 2018. He comes to the project having previously written and directed the films “The Wood,” “Brown Sugar,” “Our Family Wedding,” and “Dope.” He is also working on “The Mandalorian,” an upcoming Star Wars-inspired series for Disney+.

    “Children of Blood and Bone” will be produced by Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, and John Fischer, Karen Rosenfelt of Sunswept Entertainment, and Famuyiwa under Verse. Scott Falconer is set to be an associate producer.

    [via: THR]

  • USA Network Orders ‘Brave New World’ Adaptation

    USA Network Orders ‘Brave New World’ Adaptation

    Brave New World book cover
    Chatto & Windus

    There’s soon going to be a new way to enter Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.”

    An adaptation of the classic dystopian novel is headed to USA Network. USA announced Wednesday that it had given the project a straight-to-series order. David Wiener adapted it for TV with Grant Morrison and Brian Taylor, and he’ll serve as the showrunner. Owen Harris will direct the first episode.

    Written in 1932, Huxley’s novel (as you may have learned in a high school English class) takes place is a supposed utopian society. Everyone is comfortable and content because they take copious amounts of a drug called Soma and can have all the sex, money, and material objects they want. When two New London citizens travel to the Savage Lands, however, they bring back a man named John, who challenges the way their society functions.

    The series comes from Universal Content Productions and Ambin Television. Weiner, Morrison, and Harris will executive produce the series alongside Amblin’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. Meanwhile Taylor is set to executive produce on the first episode.

    A number of dystopian novels have done well as film or TV series. Recent successes include the “Hunger Games” and “Maze Runner” movies and Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The upcoming “Brave New World” series may just have that same dystopian magic.

  • Margot Robbie Set to Produce Warner Bros. Adaptation ‘Barbed Wire Heart’

    Margot Robbie Set to Produce Warner Bros. Adaptation ‘Barbed Wire Heart’

    Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Margot Robbie is working with Warner Bros. again. The “Suicide Squad” star is reportedly taking on a “gritty” project.

    Robbie will produce an upcoming film adaptation of the book “Barbed Wire Heart,” THR reports. The project is based on Tess Sharpe’s 2018 novel, which centers on the daughter of a dangerous meth dealer who has to deal with threats from rival families while trying to keep a women’s shelter running. Carly Wray (“Westworld; “Mad Men”) is writing the script.

    If you’re hoping to see Robbie in the film, be warned that her involvement is expected to be limited to the creative side. She and her colleague Tom Ackerley are producing for Warner Bros. through her banner, Luckychap, alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich. Meanwhile, Josey McNamara is executive producing, and Nick Reynolds is overseeing for Rideback.

    Robbie remains busy. She’s had numerous notable film roles over the last few years, including in “Mary Queen of Scots,” which arrives in U.S. theaters in December. She’s also produced multiple projects such as 2017’s “I, Tonya” and 2018’s “Terminal,” among others.

    [via: THR]

  • Anya Taylor-Joy to Play Lead Role in ‘Emma’ Adaptation

    Anya Taylor-Joy to Play Lead Role in ‘Emma’ Adaptation

    Anya Taylor-Joy in Thoroughbreds
    Focus Features and Universal Pictures

    Jane Austen’s work continues to live on.

    The famed British novelist’s 1815 novel “Emma” is getting yet another film adaptation, and Anya Taylor-Joy has reportedly landed the title role. The “Thoroughbreds” actress will play protagonist Emma Woodhouse, according to THR.

    In the books, Taylor-Joy’s character is a young woman with a penchant for matchmaking. However, her best efforts go awry. Plot details for the upcoming “Emma” haven’t been revealed, but we assume we’ll see at least that much.

    It’s a story that has proven popular for remakes. In previous “Emma” adaptations, actresses who have taken the title role include the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale, and Judy Campbell, among others. The book was even the inspiration for 1995’s “Clueless” starring Alicia Silverstone, which offers a modern-day retelling. Coincidentally, news of Taylor-Joy’s casting comes the same day as reports that Paramount Pictures has a “Clueless” remake in the works.

    In the upcoming “Emma,” Taylor-Joy will have the chance to make Austen proud. She’ll be directed by Autumn de Wilde, a music video director who is helming her first feature film.

    [via: THR]

  • ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ May Be Coming Back to TV

    America’s favorite baby-sitters may be back in business.

    Someone had an idea as great as Kristy’s: to adapt “The Baby-Sitters Club” for TV once again. A new television project based on Ann M. Martin’s beloved book series is in the works, Deadline reports.

    Scholastic published the first book, “Kristy’s Great Idea,” in 1986 and went on to publish more than 200 others between then and 2000. During that time, the book series led to a TV series that ran on HBO in the early ’90s as well as a 1995 film. The books in particular were a staple of adolescence for many ’90s kids, and they tackled relatable topics like family, racism, and even death.

    The project will reportedly take on tough topics, too; Deadline reports that it will “push the bar.” Walden Media and Michael De Luca Productions are behind the project, with De Luca attached to executive produce. Meanwhile, “Broad City” producer and director Lucia Aniello may join as director and executive producer; Rachel Shukert (“GLOW”) is reportedly in talks to serve as the showrunner.

    We’ll be eagerly waiting to find out if we get to say hello to our friends at the BSC once again.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Nicole Kidman Plans to Star in ‘The Female Persuasion’ Adaptation: Report

    Projects keep piling up for Nicole Kidman.

    The “Big Little Lies” star and recent Emmy winner isn’t resting on her laurels. Kidman has lined up another promising role: She is attached to star in an adaptation of the novel “The Female Persuasion,” EW reports. The novel, written by Meg Wolitzer, came out in early April.

    Described as “an electric novel not just about who we want to be with, but who we want to be,” the book centers on a college freshman named Greer Kadetsky, whose path changes after meeting Faith Frank, an icon in the women’s movement. Not long after the book came out, Kidman posted a photo of her holding it on Instagram and hailed it as “brilliant and timely.”

    Kidman also mentioned the adaptation in her caption, as EW pointed out. She did not, however, confirm at the time that she planned to star in the project. In addition to being attached as a lead, she and her production company are developing the adaptation with Wolitzer and producer Lynda Obst, whom she calls “two extraordinary women.”

    “The Female Persuasion” is yet another book adaptation that Kidman has sought to bring to screen. HBO’s “Big Little Lies” stems from Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, and Kidman has also reportedly re-teamed with David E. Kelley on the miniseries “The Undoing,” an adaptation of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s “You Should Have Known.” The former was a major win, so continuing to adapt intriguing books may continue to pay dividends for Kidman.

    As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

    [via: EW]

  • ‘The Originals’ Star Joseph Morgan Set for Lead Role in Fox Pilot

    “The Originals” might be coming to an end, but fans may not be without Joseph Morgan for long.

    The actor has a new project in the works: He is set to star in the pilot of an untitled Fox drama based on the book “Gone, Baby, Gone,” Deadline reports. That means he’ll play Patrick Kenzie, a Boston-based private detective who partners with his lover, Angie Gennaro, to solve cases.

    The 1998 novel was written by Dennis Lehane and is the fourth book in the Kenzie and Gennaro detective series. The work was adapted for film by Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard as 2007’s “Gone Baby Gone.” Affleck directed the movie, which starred his brother, Casey Affleck, alongside Michelle Monaghan. Like the book, the film centers on the disappearance of a girl named Amanda McCready.

    Miramax joins 20th Century Fox TV on the project, having distributed the movie. The Fox pilot is written by Robert Levine (“Black Sails”) and directed by Phillip Noyce. Levine and Lehane are both serving as executive producers.