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With Harry Potter and Twilight leading the pack, Young Adult (YA) book series are increasingly making the leap to the big screen. A few months ago, we profiled 10 YA series that have the potential for movie success. And fans were vocal about their favorites — Vampire Academy and The Hunger Games top the list — and have even been busy creating their own posters and trailers. That kind of devotion is a perfect jumping off point if you're looking for a holiday present for this historically hard-to-shop-for group.
See our top gift picks >>
Posted 11.29.10 by reelz -
With two hugely successful book-to-movie franchises gearing up their finales, it got us wondering what the next big series might be. One thing is clear: Young adult (YA) literature seems the place to look, with so many of these books causing quite a stir among critics, readers, and movie studios ... and making that ever-important leap to adult audiences that both Harry Potter and Twilight did. With that in mind, we picked 10 YA series that have been optioned for film and assessed their big-screen potential. We'd love to know if you agree or disagree with our conclusions, or if we missed a major title.
We assess the big-screen potential of 10 hot book series >> Posted 09.16.10 by reelz -
Cinema Blend reports that Catherine Hardwicke, best-known as the director of Twilight, has signed on to direct The Girl With the Red Riding Hood. This retelling of the classic children's story will apparently have a more gothic feel. The title character will also be a teenager involved in a love triangle. The biggest change of all, though: it has a werewolf.
The movie has a writer, David Johnson, but no other cast or crew and no release date. It's also unclear when the project will underway, since Hardwicke has several other movies on her plate already. These include Maximum Ride, which tells the story of six children with genetically engineered wings, and her adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, starring Emile Hirsch.
Posted 08.21.09 by reelz -
In an interview with MTV this week, Catherine Hardwicke, director of 2008's huge hit Twilight, confirmed that she will never direct another movie in the possible four-film franchise. She said, "I've loved all the different directors that did the Harry Potter films, because each one had their own cool style and energy, so I think that's good. And I'm moving on to other projects."
She's still supporting the Twilight saga and Chris Weitz, though, saying, "He's working as hard as he can to make it great, so that's cool." It doesn't look like there are any hard feelings between Hardwicke and Summit, so maybe their split really was due to "creative differences."
Hardwicke can next be seen sinking her teeth into Maximum Ride and If I Stay, two book adaptations aimed at her ever-growing army of teen fans.
Posted 03.21.09 by reelz -
Catherine Hardwicke looks set to stay with Summit Entertainment, even though the studio replaced her role in The Twilight Saga with New Moon director Chris Weitz. Hardwicke will be directing If I Stay, which is yet another teen book making its way to the cinema screen.
Written by Gayle Forman and due for publication next month (yes, it's not even out yet), If I Stay is about 17-year-old Mia, a girl involved in a horrific car crash that claims the lives of her parents, but which leaves her hovering somewhere between life and death. Think The Lovely Bones for the teen generation.
Eric Feig, Summit's president of production, said "When we were thinking of the perfect director to capture the emotion, grace, and passion of this beautiful book, one filmmaker became the clear and only choice: Catherine Hardwicke." Following on from the success of Twilight, Hardwicke is now hot Hollywood property. Having also been linked with 2010's Maximum Ride, it looks like book adaptations are the way forward.
Posted 03.20.09 by reelz -
Catherine Hardwicke, the now idolised director behind 2008 phenomenon Twilight, is rumored to be taking up directorial duties for the forthcoming movie Maximum Ride. The young adult book series, penned by the hugely successful James Patterson, follows the adventures of six genetically enhanced kids with avian genes, who are pursued by a pack of evil werewolf type creatures.
Avi Arad (Iron Man, Spider-Man 3) is on board as a producer, with Don Payne (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) set to write the screenplay. Maximum Ride is tentatively set for a 2010 release, and is sure to be aimed at the Twilight market. With Hardwicke at the helm, could Columbia Pictures be looking to make this a multi-film franchise?
Posted 03.19.09 by reelz