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Won't we all love to see our favorite books and literary series turned into cinematic masterpieces whether in the form of TV series or full-fledged film franchises? There are just too many books like Stoner by John Williams, Eleanor, and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison and Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee that deserve to get a cinematic update.
From young adult novels, fantasy franchises, children's books that could make marvelous animated works, and heart-wrenching dystopian worlds, there is a sea of books out there that demand to be brought onto the screens and actually instilled with life.
Making books into movies is just only about seeing the things in action, but also getting to see how a specific character could live through a hundred different, changed scenarios in a live film and still essentially be the same person. Think of how Harry and Hermione dancing in Deathly Hallows further beautified their friendship and necessarily outshone the bond that they otherwise share in the books by J.K. Rowling.
Hence, here are a few books from a chosen genre of fantasy, magic, and utopia that deserve to be made into a whole universe of itself.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyers
Utopia definitely feels like a fever dream, right? We have already witnessed a lot many films on robots, cyborgs and the cinema does show a general interest in sci-fi universes with elevated artificially intelligent beings that help run the world. But Cinder by Marissa Meyers and its following novels is a very unique take on sci-fi. There is nothing more intriguing than finding similarities between the ultra-modern tale of a world filled with cyborgs and robots and seeing the lead characters taking after the traditional fairy tales that we all grew up reading and watching.
Another favorite aspect of the books was certainly seeing the author bring in a new lead character with each sequel and basing off entirely another fairytale over their story. It breaks the typical lead character norm of films and helps tell a single story of revolution from more than a few perspectives.
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass
Hooked to fae universes and magical fantasy lands? A medieval world filled with horses, battles, betrayals, and strong female leads makes up essentially something that so many book lovers like to read in their fantasy books. And needless to say, so many of us fellow bibliophiles also want to see the infatuating magic unfold on the big screen.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass does not lack in cinematic flourishes and particularly excels in dragons, wyverns, sea serpents, sorcery, and some hardcore action that could make anyone fall in love with the series. The story encompasses many faraway lands as the characters go far and beyond to stop the world from being infested by evil-loving dark Princes. Set against time, the films will definitely become a mass sensation.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Though another fantasy young adult book on this list, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is in no way a dull monotonous magical retelling of the same old stories showing one character against the world. The story takes you on an adventurous ride where a group of 'magical' people is oppressed by the ruling class of the universe, leading to stigma, injustice, and prejudice.
The book deals with an amazing world-building aspect that portrays racial injustice and the privilege of the regionalized elite class. Not only does it give a peek into the mind of people who wish to do away with the rotten system of a bad monarch, but also looks deep into people who do come from the elite class and do not know what side of the spectrum they stand on. The film could do gratifying justice to the scene where the characters meet the Gods of the land and when magic floods the stagnant country again.
The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black
Love yourself an enemies-to-lovers trope? You will simply not find a greater enemies-to-lovers trope than The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. The book has everything from mortal human beings, their fragile wishes, and desires and some very arrogant fae people. Luckily enough, the human lead Jude Duarte is not a hopeless romantic who gives in to the first 100+ years old fae male and actually creates her own path to become the queen of the land with a boy just her age, who himself has a lot to figure in life despite being an immortal.
The book also has all the usual blood and gore that readers associate with fae stories. The book has interesting power shifting dynamics, a very strong insight into what families can be like whether real or fictional and how so many people find romance where they are least looking for it.
The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
The Selection series follows the story of America Singer who falls in love with the Prince despite ever wanting to; Credits: The Communique
Set in a normal world just like ours, The Selection series by Kiera Cass follows a story similar to the Bachelor Nation series we see on TV. A group of 35 young ladies is selected in the renovated American continent that follows monarchy instead of democracy and is to vow for the attention of the Prince of the country. The series lays bare the class difference we see even in the world today and opens a window into timeless situations that can help create a better world today.
The cinematic making of THe Selection Series can add interesting depths to the characters and especially bring the country of Illea and its corrupt roots into sharp focus as equated to the world we see today.
