Nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to find a book that hasn’t already been made into a movie and/or been optioned to do so.
Entertainment Weekly’s Gilbert Cruz details the bumpy production paths of several long-in development film adaptations of classic novels. Don’t hold your breath for John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning A Confederacy of Dunces (a version starring Will Ferrell has stalled in development); Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (a scriptless Francis Ford Coppola production to be directed by The Motorcycle Diaries‘ Walter Salles still needs to be cast); or Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (the producer of last year’s Ray might make it a TV miniseries).
In the meantime, Cruz’s cohort Gregory Kirschling picked four novels he’d like to see on the big screen. Herewith, his production notes:
Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow A millionaire journeys to the African wilds to find himself. Jack Nicholson reportedly wants to play him. Give Jack what he wants. And please keep the great bit about the bear and the roller coaster.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Of course a movie version could only screw it up. That’s probably why it’ll never happen. Still, we’re curious. Especially if Salinger fan Wes Anderson made it.
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy This is the finest (and most quotable) sad little novel about movie love you’ll ever read. Terrence Malick reportedly wrote a script for it years ago. Shoot that sucker!
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe Poe’s underread novel is a strange and hair-raising seafaring nightmare. David Cronenberg would have a blast with it.
Personally, I would get in line NOW for a Wes Anderson-imagined Holden Caulfield. Which books would you like to see made into movies?
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How about a film adaptation of “A Confederacy of Dunces” and “Vernon God Little”. That would be perfection!
I’d REALLY like to see “King of Infinite Space” by Allen Steele made into a movie. I’d also like to see most of the short stories in “Sex and Violence in Zero G” by Allen Steele made into movies, or even a television series (especially “Captain Future”.) I also think “The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul” by Douglas Adams would’ve made a better movie than “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.
The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Any book that features murder, not-quite incestous twins, gorgeous New England scenery, snobby liberal arts college, and a whole lot of backstabbing seems destined for the big screen.
The “Shopaholic” Series by Sophie Kinsella, Summer Sisters by Judy Blume and Desperation by Stephen King. I would be the first in line for all three…as long as there are NO mainstream actors in it! No Sandra Bullock, no Keanu Reeves, no Brad Pitt. Give me unknowns!!!
Julie’s description of “The Secret History” sounds like my college years. I’d love to see Katherine Harrison’s “Envy” in a movie. Also, and this is my dream, “The Magus” by John Fowles. It was done — horribly. I’d have wished Kubrick to do it. Alas. Also: “The Forbidden Forest,” by Mircea Eliade and “Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson” by George Gurdjieff.
I would love to see a mini-series of “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” that really captures the novel from beginning to end. I also can’t fathom why no one has made a movie of Terry Brooks “Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold!” Another yummy delight would be “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamante. I’m holding my breath for “The Time Traveler’s Wife” hopping that Brad Pitt will just produce it and not star in it.
“The Catcher in the Rye” I always thought would make a horrible movie but now that you mentioned Wes Anderson, I am curious. I would line up for that today as well. Too bad it will never happen…
Decent adaptations of Dean Koontz’s ‘The Bad Place.’ Anne Rice’s ‘The Witching Hour’ or ‘The Mummy.’ Laurell K Hamilton’s ‘Anita Blake’ series. Christopher Pike’s ‘Final Friends’ trilogy.
Hey, I liked the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” movie adaptation.
Anyway, I would actually love to see “The Catcher in the Rye” as a movie. Yet, it could only be pulled off by a director who knows the book well.
I would love to see ” The Talisman” by Stephen King made into a full length feature movie.I had read that it was in the works, but got dropped.
The catcher in the rye has been made, at least in spirit. Igby Goes Down was a sort of retelling, and Igby was as close to a Holden Caufield as I think we will probably ever see. Great movie.
I read “Henderson the Rain King” this summer and was shocked at the time that it hadn’t been made into a movie yet. I was thinking more Nick Nolte though, but Jack would be brilliant. Anthony Minghella should get a crack at “Atonement” by Ian McEwan. Also, Walter Kirn had a first novel called “She Needed Me” that would make a great little indie movie.
Edward P. Jones’ slavery epic THE KNOWN WORLD fairly screams out for an august, Oscar-baiting, serious black drama to be made from it–and if done right, it could be wonderful.
I’m still waiting to see “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card on film. It’s perfectly suited to demonstrate the modern capabilities of CGI and special effects, and is a sci fi classic.
In the time of “Lord of the Rings” and the upcoming “Chronicles of Narnia”, it’s a shame all we’ve gotten of Alexander’s masterly “Prydain Chronicles” is Disney’s dismal animated travesty of “The Black Cauldron”. This series is epic, exciting, frightening, romantic and deeply moving with a marvelously cinematic cast of characters. After Alfonso Cuaron’s terrific job with “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, I’d love to see his take on this literary gem.
I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb.
“Lamb : The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal” by Christopher Moore would be great with the right director and a cast of unknowns.
I hope Catcher in the Rye never becomes a film for the simple fact that Holden Caulfield is the most annoying “phoney” I’ve ever read in my life. I can’t believe I had to suffer through this crap in high school. I…just…hate…the…character. They’re nothing likable about Holden. Never was, never will be. Now Confederacy of Dunces or Atlas Shrugged would be cool to see.
Freaking Foucault’s Pendulum, man. Although I can’t imagine any of today’s director’s making it justice. Also, Philip K. Dick’s Ubik.
1. The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank.
2. The Corrections by Jonathan Frantzen.
3. The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
4. The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr.
5. The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodiguez
6. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
Actually, after suffering through “The Grinch,” “Cat in the Hat” and the trailer for “Curious George,” I’d be satisfied if Ron Howard stopped bowlderizing my favorite children’s books for the screen.
If “Catcher In The Rye” was ever made into a movie it would destory the story,and there is no way they could find an actor good enough to have the personality that J.D Salinger gave “Holden” if the idea ever came up I would write to the publisher/director who wanted to make the movie and tell them how bad of an idea that it would be. This is one of those books that is just to read and not be ruined and put into the hands of a greedy director.
I’ve almost finished ‘The secret history’ by Donna Tartt and im finding it incredable.
A movie could be awesome BUT it crap people would be put in it an ruin it all
These are fit for the Hollywood screen; surprised they don’t exist already (maybe they do?):
The Confessions (Saint Augustine)
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man (Joyce)
WALDEN (Dolan)
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Ron Mwangaguhunga mentioned Beelzebubs tales to his grandson.This may lend itself to animation. I`d love to see the legonomism to mr G`s grandchildren captured well.
Blending ancient and modern wisdom from east and west it is really required data for us.If anyone else interested in pushing such a project feel free to email me.
As above so below.