From Pages To Screens: 6 Upcoming Book-To-Movie Adaptations In The Works

Some of your favorite novels may be coming to life in the near future.

From memoirs and classics to mysteries and science fiction, these acclaimed novels are about to be adapted for the big screen.

While they’re all still very early into production, here are the familiar names already attached to the projects.

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Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Michelle Zauner’s debut book, Crying in H Mart, explores her experiences growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity. The memoir started as an essay with the same title, published in The New Yorker in 2018.

After becoming a major bestseller and receiving critical acclaim, the memoir is being adapted into a film. Zauner penned the screenplay herself and will also provide the film’s soundtrack with her band, Japanese Breakfast.

Will Sharpe, known for starring in season two of The White Lotus, is moving behind the camera to direct the film. According to MGM, Crying in H Mart is a “coming-of age story about a half-Korean daughter who returns to small town Oregon to care for her Korean mother.”

“Critical and smothering Chong-mi and creative and independent Michelle struggle to understand each other across a cultural fault line, only learning to see and accept one another through the formative power of music and the vibrant flavors of Korean cooking.”

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet is a fictional account of William Shakespeare’s son. In the book and in real life, Hamnet passed away at the age of 11. The novel focuses on his parents’ grief as they grapple with the loss of their beloved child.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao is directing the period drama. She is also writing the screenplay alongside O’Farrell.

So far, two actors have joined the cast. Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) will be playing Shakespeare. He’ll be starring alongside Jessie Buckley (Fargo, Women Talking) as Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway, called Agnes in the book.

“That book—it’s just devastating. I can’t wait,” Mescal told Vogue. “I’ve obviously been in a film with Jessie before but we’ve never shared the screen together. I think she’s one of our present-day greats. And Chloé is somebody I can’t wait to get in the weeds with, and get into the heads of those characters.”

The Maid by Nita Prose

Not much is known about the film adaptation of Nita Prose’s The Maid, other than Florence Pugh joining the cast in 2020. The prolific actress will be playing Molly the maid in the murder mystery.

The character works at Regency Grand Hotel and is no stranger to keeping her guests’ secrets. But when she discovers the dead body of a wealthy guest, she sets off to solve the case.

The movie adaptation is being backed by Wink Pictures and Winterlight Pictures, with Pugh and Prose taking on the role of producers as well.

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

The 1994 science fiction novel by Yōko Ogawa takes place on an island under the control of the Memory Police. Inhabitants begin to forget about objects and concepts which are then removed from the island. The few who remember must either escape the island or hide from the Police.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Lily Gladstone will be starring in the film adaptation. She’ll be reuniting with executive producer Martin Scorsese, who she worked with on Killers of the Flower Moon.

Reed Morano, who was behind a couple of episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale as well as I Think We’re Alone Now, is slated as director. Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind writer Charlie Kaufman is behind the screenplay.

“It happens very much in the subconscious mind and deals with, of course, themes of memory, authoritarianism,” Gladstone said, describing the adaptation.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Director, producer, and writer Guillermo del Toro will be taking on the latest adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Del Toro has been dreaming of making his own adaptation since he was a child and it’s finally coming to fruition.

Jacob Elordi (Saltburn, Priscilla) will play Frankenstein’s monster while Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Star Wars) stars as Victor Frankenstein himself.

The star-studded cast also includes Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and more.

According to Netflix, del Toro has been working on the film for more than a decade. The book, which is his favorite, has inspired his “career-spanning love for the monsters inside and outside all of us.”

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro’s eighth novel, Klara and the Sun, tells the story of a robot named Klara, a solar-powered AF (Artificial Friend). Klara is tasked to ease the loneliness of a child named Josie, who lives alone with her mother.

Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) is set to direct the film adaptation. Jenna Ortega will star as the title role alongside Amy Adams, who will play Josie’s mother.

Newcomer Mia Tharia is joining the cast as Josie. Cillian Murphy’s son, Aran Murphy, will be making his feature film debut as Rick, Josie’s neighbor and childhood friend. The cast also includes Natasha Lyonne, Simon Baker, and Steve Buscemi.

Banner image via Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster‘s websites.