What books would you love to see made into a movie?

[minkajane]

I know that movies often disappoint those of us who have read the books. Regardless, I do enjoy seeing my favorite books made into movies. Some books that haven't been made into movies but I think should be are:

The Giver
The Looking Glass Wars (trilogy)
Ender's Game
Many Waters
The Christmas Spurs
My Sweet Audrina

A couple of these, like The Giver and Ender's Game, have had movies promised repeatedly, but they never materialized, much to my disappointment. What would you love to see in movie form?

[chezlyryan]

I think Waiter Rant would be a hilarious movie.

[minkajane]

Have you ever watched Kitchen Confidential? It's like Waiter Rant in TV format. HILARIOUS. I think the whole thing's available on Hulu.

[cheery]

I Don't Know How She Does It.
Confessions of a Serial Dater
Penderwicks

[lorijds]

Song of Solomon. I have waited years to see that book made into a movie.

[journeymom]

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer would be a wonderful movie, or BBC miniseries. But way back in the day one of her other novels was made into a movie and the author hated it. She wrote it into her will, none of her books are to be made into movies, ever.

[Smokering]

The Once and Future King. But only if it were done SUPERBLY well. It'd have to be at least three movies, or maybe a really high-quality, high-budget miniseries. There have been enough ghastly King Arthur movies made already (Keira Knightley wearing bondage gear in the snow, anyone?).

There's one particular scene - where King Arthur is watching from the window as Lancelot rescues Guenevere from being burned at the stake, killing his friends in the process - that is just SO cinematic. It's painful and perfect - Arthur loves Guenevere and doesn't want her to die, and is hoping against hope that Lancelot, whom he also loves, will save her; but because of his commitment to justice he has to increase the guard, and even puts Lancelot's friends on the fighting line under the assumption Lancelot won't kill them. Lancelot, of course, wants to save Jenny because he loves her, and for reasons of chivalry, but is immensely guilty about having seduced the wife of his best friend, and believes in justice (in theory). Guenevere, understandably, doesn't want to die and loves Lancelot, but recognises that by rescuing her Lancelot is dooming her husband - whom she also loves - to starting a war that will split the kingdom and end in everyone's downfall. It's a horrible, tortuous situation, and TH White describes it so the pain just leaps off the page. With the right actors, it could be phenomenally heartbreaking.

That said, if I ever hear they're planning to make it into a movie I'll respond with scowling and suspicion. I can't think of a single director who I'd trust to do the job... although I wouldn't mind Fran Walsh having a hand in the script.

[mamatoablessing]

The Hunger Games Trilogy.

[Teensy]

Pillars of the Earth - but I think I'd rather have a Showtime or HBO min-series than a 2 hour feature film

[madskye]

Outlander, but I'm not sure if it could ever measure up the imagination of millions of fans.

[NiteNicole]

Eh-hem. Speaking of Outlander, it's just come out in graphic novel format. If you like that kind of thing.

I think it would make an excellent mini series.

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by Teensy

Pillars of the Earth - but I think I'd rather have a Showtime or HBO min-series than a 2 hour feature film

Your wish is their command:

http://www.starz.com/originals/ThePillarsOfTheEarth

Dh and I watched the first episode. It was good but it's not my thing.

[Arduinna]

The Twentieth Wife
The Feast of Roses
Shadow Princess
Jane Bites Back

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by Smokering

The Once and Future King. ... if I ever hear they're planning to make it into a movie I'll respond with scowling and suspicion. I can't think of a single director who I'd trust to do the job... although I wouldn't mind Fran Walsh having a hand in the script.

What are you talking about? It was made into a movie in 1963! The Sword in the Stone (One of my favorite movies.)

And again in 1967! Camelot

[GranoLLLy-girl]

Originally Posted by mamatoablessing

The Hunger Games Trilogy.

I have heard rumors that this is being made into a movie...don't know if it's true...but I would agree...I'd also like to see Katniss played by an unknown actress and not the latest teen idol--ya know?

[laohaire]

The Witching Hour, but they would have to cast Michael perfectly.

Also, this is not exactly the question but I think a stunning "trilogy" could be made from the stories of the first three ruling queens of England - Lady Jane, Mary and Elizabeth. Lady Jane's story, which is obviously short, would include the background material of Henry VIII and his son Edward. The real histories are so action-packed, they would just have to write the screenplay and not add anything more.

[Smokering]

What are you talking about? It was made into a movie in 1963! The Sword in the Stone (One of my favorite movies.)

And again in 1967! Camelot

Uh, yeah. I actually quite enjoy Camelot, but I hardly think it does scope to the grandeur and tragedy of the original. There's just one moment where I go "ooh" - the bit at the end where Arthur sings

"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot..."

That's kind of cool. The rest of it, though... the witty banter between Guenevere and Lancelot? Kinda misses the point. I'd like to see it on stage, though.

I'm not a fan of The Sword in the Stone. Mostly because I read the TOAFK version of The Sword in the Stone first - he originally wrote TSITS as a standalone kids' book, and then when he expanded it into four books (later five) he revised TSITS and made it darker, more adult and foreboding. So he cut all the Madame Morrible stuff, and when I saw it in the film I assumed it was a silly Disney addition, and ended up having a long argument with my father-in-law about it, until he fetched his copy and I was reduced to stammering "Well, that's not in MY version". So, yeah.

[Hey Mama!]

Originally Posted by GranoLLLy-girl

I have heard rumors that this is being made into a movie...don't know if it's true...but I would agree...I'd also like to see Katniss played by an unknown actress and not the latest teen idol--ya know?

I have seen this too on the internet.

My list is:

The Red Tent
Uglies Pretties, and Specials series by Scott Westerfeld
The Giver
sequels to The City of Ember
I think the Anita Blake series would be a good TV show on cable.

[karika]

The Nature of Smoke. I read it and immediately thought, I should write a screenplay for this. But I haven't.

[Caneel]

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey - thought provoking and haunting (not scary) would make a great movie.