This challenge is officially closed. Thank you to everyone who participated; it was fun seeing which movies should be made into books and vice versa. I’ll be selecting a winner shortly and will post it in an update.
I heart books and movies and sometimes I’ll see this beautiful movie that seems like it would be more properly expressed in words on a page and sometimes I’ll read a book that seems like it would be perfectly translated to the big screen.
For this challenge share which movie you’d love to see translated into a book and who the author would be. Then explain why—what makes that movie book-worthy? Then, share which book you think would be perfect for the silver screen and who the director would be (hint: find a movie that you love which would have a similar style to the book-movie you envision and check out the movie’s director on IMDB). And why would people flock to the theatres to see that movie?
At the end of the challenge, I’ll randomly select someone to choose 2 books from the list below or a book from The Book Depository up to $12.97USD. Yes, this contest is open internationally if selecting from the prizes below, otherwise anywhere The Book Depository ships. However, to participate, you must be at least 13 years old. (It’s a privacy law thing.)
To enter, you can blog about your movie madness, but please make sure to comment below with a link to your post, or you can just leave your answer in the comments. Thanks for participating, and have fun.
This challenge will end in 3 hours @ 6:00AM EDT.
Books to Choose From:
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King (Paperback)
Stephen King’s second novel, ‘Salem’s Lot, is the story of a mundane town under siege from the forces of darkness. Considered one of the most terrifying vampire novels ever written, it cunningly probes the shadows of the human heart—and the insular evils of small-town America.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Paperback)
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing: just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bandits that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (Paperback)
What would you do if your heaven-sent job turned out to be a living hell?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (Paperback)
In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl’s virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.
The Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell (Paperback)
In her fourth novel, Candace Bushnell writes about three powerful NYC women at the top of their fields, each navigating her way through business, relationships, scandal, success, and betrayal.
A girl in the world who loves stripey knee socks and her cat. She also loves to read, write, draw, and a bunch of other things in between.
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I’ve always wondered why Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles have not yet been made into a movie. I am thinking that in the next few years we’d see this in the big screen yet: The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, the High King. =)
Let me add another one: Clive Barker’s Abarat! =)
I think Serenity would be a great book, not a comic book but a novel. And of course Joss Whedon would write it. A book that would be a great movie? That’s a hard one because most of my favorite books are already movies. I would love to see Castle Waiting turned into a movie and I would want the directors of Shrek to direct it, Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson.
Definitely the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I would just love to see Jamie Fraser on screne, lol. But besides that, it is just such a “big” story that I think it would go down well on the big screne. Particularly the first 2 novels. Sort of in the braveheart mode, so I guess it would have to have Mel Gibson as director and maybe even as the star.
I would love to read a book based on the movie House of Flying Daggers. It’s an amazing film – absolutely beautiful. As for the author… I really can’t think of one that I’ve read who would do the story justice, but if I had to make a guess I’d go with Arthur Golden.
As for a book that I’d like to see as a movie, I would love to see Ang Lee direct a film based on the book The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta.
I’d like to see The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore (Forgotten Realms) adapted into a movie … not sure how it would be done though or if it would work, but I’d watch it if it was.
Movie-to-book: Casablanca
Book-to-movie: The Tenderness of Wolves
I would love to see movie “The Proposal” starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds turned into a book. I honestly do not know who I could see writing it. I just love the movie and I feel like there could be a lot of cute scenes added in a book version. I would love to see the Private series by Kate Brian turned into a movie or tv show. They had a webaseries but it was horrible and unsatisfactory. I guess I would like to see Anne Fletcher direct it.
For Movie to Book…I think I’d like Penelope, the movie starring Christina Ricci, to be made into a book. With someone like Shannon Hale writing it because its very much in her style of writing–its a fairy tale, turned around, in which the ‘damsel in distress’ initially learns to be the hero of her own story and not wait for a prince.
For Book to Movie…the Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor with Zac Snyder (Sucker Punch director) or Dave McKean (Mirrormask Director). Zac Snyder has such gorgeous cinematography (though possibly incoherent and slightly insane storylines) and Dave McKean…well Mirrormask is so very like the ‘feel’ I think Frank Beddor has for The Looking Glass Wars. I lied it would have to be Dave McKean. His surreal and real blending of fantasy with reality is…awe-inspiring. Seriously. Watch Mirrormask.
Ooo, this one was fun! I wrote about my choice in my readathon post.
Ooh, ooh! I know! Movie to book would be MirrorMask, and obvious author would be Neil Gaiman. I mean, I know he wrote the movie, but it would be so different as a novel but still so good.
As for book to movie…maybe Nova, by Samuel Delany? I think he might hate for his books to be moviefied, but I think of all his works Nova would be a good start for a movie because it’s such an interesting space opera and Prince’s mechanical arm would be pretty cool. As for director, maybe Duncan Jones? He directed Moon, which isn’t really a space opera, but I think he could work with it, and Moon was amaaaazing.
The Luxe series by Anna Godberson. I couldn’t put them down and I know it would transfer to a movie well. The costumes would be huge!!!
Movie to book: Mulan. Shannon Hale would do a great job of that, and has already proven her chops at legend/myth/fairytale retellings as well as Asian-inspired settings.
Book to movie: Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay. My brother thinks this wouldn’t be a good movie and he’s probably right, but *I* think it could make a great miniseries. As for someone to direct it? Well, I don’t know directors very well, so perhaps I can get a pass on that part?
I’ve always thought The Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llewellyn would make an amazing movie – several of the scenes are perfectly cinematic. For a director I’d choose someone like Edward Zwick, though David Lean would have given it a lovely epic quality.
Most of my favourite movies are already based on movies or plays, but I’d read The Departed as written by Dennis Lehane.
I would like to see the movie Baby Mama (with Tina Fey) in a chick lit. I think Janet Evanovich would be a great author for this one. I think it would be funny. Also, I would like to see any of the WWII fiction novels on the big screen. Specifically, The Welsh Girl and My Enemy’s Cradle. I don’t know much about directors and such.
Movie that I would like to read as a book: The Hangover. The stoies would just be brilliant, we could get someone like Eddie Izzard to write it. He doesn’t write books, he does comedy you say…well he freaking should write books, he is hilarious.
Book turned into movie: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett. Guy Ritchie could direct. With the multitude of characters that all mesh together and intertwine, he would be fabulous!
I’d love to see Sucker Punch in graphic novel form, maybe written by Frank Miller. For book to movie… 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter (it’s a grown up version of 16 Candles, and it is hilarious!) and I’d like to see Nora Ephron direct it.
I like the twist on this! I don’t normally think of movies I want to see made into books. But I think my favorite movie, Naked (written and directed by Mike Leigh), would be a fantastic book and just the type I’d really enjoy reading: moody, dark, philosophical, character-driven, and completely depressing.
As far as books made into movies -
I’d like to see a good film adaptation of Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. It would be gorgeous! As far as directors…hmmm. Maybe Alfonso Cuaron or Peter Jackson. I don’t know. It’s a book that could be easily ruined in film adaptation without the right director.
A series I’d like to see turned into a movie (or even better, a tv mini-series) would be Animorphs. There was a kind of terrible little cheesy tv show adaptation a while ago, but with a good budget and a serious cast and crew, I think it would be amazing on screen. Joss Whedon might be perfect for the job, although he’s so hit-or-miss, in my opinion.
Movie to book? Definitely The Red Violin. I think Kate Mosse (author of Labyrinth) would be a good author for this because she does the back and forth between the past and present so well. Why? Have you seen this movie? I have watched it tons of times. It is such an interesting story about a violin that moves through time, owned and played by many people through history. Plus, there is a secret behind the violin’s power. It is a fantastic movie.
Book to movie? I recently finished reading What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz and we were talking in my book chat about it being an excellent candidate for a movie. It is a horror thriller with a supernatural twist and these types of movies seem to appeal to audiences these days. I know I would probably like it better as a movie than a book! The director that I think would be great for this would be Mikael Håfström, who has directed such films as 1408 and the recent The Rite. Seems he has a knack for these kinds of movies.
Another fun mini-challenge!
I’d love it if Enchanted got turned into a book! It would have to be a picture book of course. I’m thinking Shannon Hale or Meg Cabot would be perfect to write it.
As for book into movie: The Summer I Turned Pretty would make a really good, sweet summer movie. As for the director: Sanaa Hamri, who directed Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2.
The Tourist with Angela Jolie.
Action, mystery, humor. I so love that movie. I was on the edge of my seat. It would be awesome to get into their minds. Listening to it on a book on CD. Now that would be great.
Ever since I read the book Shantaram, I’ve wanted to see it filmed. I once heard a rumor that it was going to hit the big screen, but I’ve never heard anything about it since. Honestly, they could make it into a mini-series on HBO or something and it would probably be a big hit!
Hey, I just googled it and it looks like iMBd has it listed as “in production.” I must not be alone in wanting to see this one on film!
This is such an interesting challenge. I never actually thought about this, but let’s give it a try.
Movie to Book? Seven Pounds with Will Smith. It took me about six tries to actually make it through that movie, but once I did, I was blown away. There were so many emotional nuances in it and twists of fate. Now that I think about it, that definitely would have been one unforgettable book. Who would write it? Andre Dubus III. He wrote The House of Sand and Fog and when I think about Seven Pounds as a book, that’s the style that comes to mind. The more I think about it, the more I want Mr. Dubus to do it.
Book to Movie? This is a little trickier. Hum. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters and it would be directed by Edgar Wright, the guy who wrote/directed ‘Shaun of the Dead’. That would be a match made in heaven. Generation Dead is like a campy version of Twilight with zombies and I know Mr. Wright can do it right. Sorry for the bad pun.
Thanks for this challenge, it actually woke me up somewhat by making me think.
Runaway by Wendelin van Draanen. About a girl who goes from foster home to foster home and got really badly treated so she decided to run away. She sees it as an adventure until she realises that she is now… homeless at 13.
Cell by Stephen King would make a great movie, especially with how Zombie obsessed culture seems to be right now. As for director, Joss Whedon. Everything he does is amazing and I’d like to see what he does with a zombie movie.
I tend to watch a lot more tv series then movies, so I’m going to go with the series Chuck. The idea of a nerdy guy being thrown into the spy world could make for a very entertaining read. I have no idea who I’d want to write it though.
Here is my blog post about it..
http://searchergrl.blogspot.com/2011/04/24-hour-read-thon-movie-madness-mini.html
Movie to Book -> Remember Me, written by Nicholas Sparks
Book to Movie -> Scarerow (Matthew Reilly), directed by Christopher Nolan.