Novels that should be adapted to movies

[Watcher07]

Considering the lack of new ideas in the current movies that come out of Hollywood, I thought of making a list of novels that could be adapted to movies.

1-The Alienist. By Caleb Carr, about the first serial killer in the United States.

2-Executive Orders. By Tom Clancy, when Jack Ryan become the American President & the war with Iran.

3-Without Remorse. By Tom Clancy, the back story of John Clarke.

4-Prey. By Michael Crichton, a novel about the Nanotechnology.

5-The Dante Club. By Mathew Pear, series of killing based on
the “Divine Comedy”.

6-The Foundation Trilogy. By Isaac Asimov, a great book by the
master of SF novels.

7-Rendezvous with Rama. By Arthur C. Clarke, a new kind of first
contact without a single gun shot.

8-Uplift series. By David Brin, a very rich space opera.

9-Across Realtime. By Vernor Vinge, a different kind of SF.

10-Otherland, by Tad Williams, virtual reality at it best.

[PsYkOoOoO]

Prey wouldnt work very well in my opinion because...there's a part of the book when they sort of imitated the shape of human beings,and that works in words and on pages but not necessarily so on screen.

[kel thuzad]

Novel, that should be adapted?
Hmm...
Mine, but its not ready yet...

[Watcher07]

Prey wouldnt work very well in my opinion because...there's a part of the book when they sort of imitated the shape of human beings,and that works in words and on pages but not necessarily so on screen.

Then we need a director who can make it work, right

[WatsUrBif22]

Bud, Not Buddy

[SuperRyan]

6-The Foundation Trilogy. By Isaac Asimov, a great book by the master of SF novels.

I started to read the first Foundation book, but ended up not finishing it. What I did read was quite good and could work well in a Sci-Fi movie.

[SarumanTheWhite]

God Emperor of Dune and the two sequels (Heretics and Chapter House) by Frank Herbert.

[droidguy1119]

The rest of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, Starship Titanic, and also I think someone should re-adapt The Phantom Tollbooth as a CGI feature.

[Nimrandir]

2-Executive Orders, I had the same idea. after I read it I thought it the greaest of the series yet. And it Ryan could easily be played by Harrison Ford considering he is now much older.

[Neverending]

Angels & Demons

[Nimrandir]

The Moonstone would be nice.

[Inferno]

6-The Foundation Trilogy. By Isaac Asimov, a great book by the
master of SF novels.


Would be quite difficult to do. I've heard people say do it as a trilogy, but even that would be hard as each book has 2 or 3 stories in them. Perhaps a well made TV mini-series would be better (especially since it's more about intrigue and politics than traditional sci-fi set action pieces).



7-Rendezvous with Rama. By Arthur C. Clarke, a new kind of first
contact without a single gun shot.

A while back it was announced that David Fisher was set to direct with Morgan Freeman starring. But the project has gone quiet. Unlikely to be made at the moment.


8-Uplift series. By David Brin, a very rich space opera.
Need a very talented director to pull off the characters here. Have to make Dolphins, trees, monkeys, birds all believable characters. Special effects need to be top notch as well. Personally, I'd skip Sundiver and start with Startide Rising. But really it's far too big a project for a movie. Maybe in another 10 years when film budgets go above $1 billion.

[The3rdSkywalker]

They should do the Dark Tower series.

[WatsUrBif22]

Would be quite difficult to do. I've heard people say do it as a trilogy, but even that would be hard as each book has 2 or 3 stories in them. Perhaps a well made TV mini-series would be better (especially since it's more about intrigue and politics than traditional sci-fi set action pieces

Sin City was that way and they are making a sequel.

[JBond]

7-Rendezvous with Rama. By Arthur C. Clarke, a new kind of first contact without a single gun shot.

Wow, I thought I'd come in here, mention Rama, and then it'd go past in silence.

Although in my opinion, if they only do one book, they should use "Rama II". It'd work much better as a movie, I think most people woudl get bored with the first one as a movie. (Seeing as there are no aliens)

(Foundation would be great too)

[Inferno]

Wow, I thought I'd come in here, mention Rama, and then it'd go past in silence.

Although in my opinion, if they only do one book, they should use "Rama II". It'd work much better as a movie, I think most people woudl get bored with the first one as a movie. (Seeing as there are no aliens)


This is why it work be made with todays movie exec's in charge. Rama is really on the same scale as 2001. It needs to be a slow suspenseful drama, not a alien monster gone mad story. It's suppose to be about the wonder of finding this amazing object, realising we are not along in the universe, an exploration into the unknown.

Perhaps, maybe, perhaps they could introduce the aliens into the first books story. But please let's not have anything else of Rama II's story or even worse the drivel of Garden and Revealed!

[JBond]

Hey, I liked the other books. ;) They turned the series into more of a soap opera than science fiction (Rama Revealed got back to sci-fi at least some), but they were still enjoyable to read.

I was just saying what would be more successful, I love "2001" and I would love to see the first Rama as it is. But with today's audiences, it probably wouldn't do well, and then I wouldn't get to see the Rama II characters of which I've imagined so many times in the many times that I've read it.

I just REALLY want to see the inside of Rama and "New York" on the big screen.

[ambrosia]

I loved Rendezvous with Rama. It was an easy read with a great plot, good characters and handles with the first contact scenario really, really well... but I loath its sequels.

I really came to dislike the main character scientist person. She was boring to read about and I much preferred her husband who loved shakespeare and tinkered with robots. (how could you not appreciate a character like that :P) And things just get cockamany when Arthur C. begins introducing some pretty weak elements into the story such as servant robots of dead presidents, Alien sentient spider thingies (some of whom do kinky sex experiments with humans - don't ask), dysfunctional families and sordid goings on in an alien city of perplexing proportions. And the Deus Ex Machina introduced in the end to tie up all the open-ended plot devices nice and quick really didn't do the conclusion of this series any favours... sorry, me gone and ranted :P

I'll also comment on Prey by Michael Crichton. I thought it to be the weakest of all his novels. It ended so abruptly and didn't explain alot of things, but I think a movie might succeed where his book fell short. Nano-machines are becoming a big thing (pun fully intended) and I think a movie about them would be fun, if handled properly.

[JBond]

I loved Rendezvous with Rama. It was an easy read with a great plot, good characters and handles with the first contact scenario really, really well... but I loath its sequels.

I really came to dislike the main character scientist person. She was boring to read about and I much preferred her husband who loved shakespeare and tinkered with robots. (how could you not appreciate a character like that :P) And things just get cockamany when Arthur C. begins introducing some pretty weak elements into the story such as servant robots of dead presidents, Alien sentient spider thingies (some of whom do kinky sex experiments with humans - don't ask), dysfunctional families and sordid goings on in an alien city of perplexing proportions. And the Deus Ex Machina introduced in the end to tie up all the open-ended plot devices nice and quick really didn't do the conclusion of this series any favours... sorry, me gone and ranted :P

I'll also comment on Prey by Michael Crichton. I thought it to be the weakest of all his novels. It ended so abruptly and didn't explain alot of things, but I think a movie might succeed where his book fell short. Nano-machines are becoming a big thing (pun fully intended) and I think a movie about them would be fun, if handled properly.

Well sure, point out the weirdest things in the Rama series. ;) But I agree, the scientist character (Richard), was the best character and fun to read about. (What do you mean by "Deus Ex Machina"?)

I didn't read Prey because I heard it wasn't good, but I'd see any movie based on a Chricton novel and I think nanotechnology is very interesting and opens many possibilities for stories (not to mention real life applications).

[ambrosia]

(What do you mean by "Deus Ex Machina"?)

Ok, so what I'm referring to is, *MAJOR MAJOR spoilers*just when the spider thingies are just about to open a six-pack of whoopass on the human population inside of Rama because of their aggressive actions, the eagle-headed alien construct comes along and puts everybody to sleep. And then from that point on, all the conflicts and disputes seem to dissapear, as the eagle-guy and his troupe of robot servants take care of everything and get the scientist lady back to the priest guy who's married to her half spider/half human daughter (Didn't mention every weird detail, did I? :P) after which, scientist lady is dying and the eagle-guy begins to explain EVERYTHING about the Rama and why it exists, who had them made and so on, right up until the main characters death. The Eagle-guy is the Deus Ex plot wrapper-upper and he just didn't do it for me. :cool:

Hope that wasn't too confusing :P

[JBond]

Ok, I just don't know what "Deus Ex Machina" means. :cool:

[ambrosia]

Ok, I just don't know what "Deus Ex Machina" means. :cool:

Ahhh, ok. I only just recently found out what it means in one of the other threads here on comingsoon.net. But I believe wikipedia.org expains it best: {The phrase deus ex machina has been extended to refer to any resolution to a story which does not pay due regard to the story's internal logic and is so unlikely it challenges suspension of disbelief, and presumably allows the author to end it in the way he or she wanted. In short, a deus ex machina is a quick fix in a story.} :cool:

[JBond]

Oooooh, I'll have to learn that one, how do you pronounce that? ;)

So basically, about half of the Outer Limit episodes are Deus Ex Machina.

[Askanison]

I'ld love to see a Star Wars Heir to the Empire trilogy done.. (perhaps as the final 3). I'ld love to see the Left Behind series done the rest of the way and done right... they altered it too much and they allready had a great script in the dramatic audio's they did. My most un-heard of wish though.. would be Where is Joe Merchant. By Jimmy Buffett. Truly one of the best books I have ever read.

[SuperRyan]

Perhaps The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon would work well as a movie.

[Tara]

Ok, I just don't know what "Deus Ex Machina" means. :cool:

It also means "the machines that bring god" in Ancient Greek.

I always wanted to adapt Cross Stitch (also know as Highlander) by Diana Gabaldon into a movie. just the first one, because although the others are great, they are a little to complicated.

[Citizen Kane]

Yep. The use of deus ex machina refers to ancient Greek plays, where the conflicts would be resolved when by the gods, the actors who played them being lowered into the stage by a crane, a machine if you will.

Anyways, I always thought they should try remaking Catch-22.

[Glordreen]

My epic fantasy novel that will be published in like 4 or 5 years

[Tara]

i would also love it if they adapted Lullaby by chuck Palahnuik...or really anything by him, he rocks.

[Optimus Magnus]

any of Anne McAffery's Dragon Riders of Pern books :)

[JBond]

God Emperor of Dune and the two sequels (Heretics and Chapter House) by Frank Herbert.
Now that I'm into the Dune series, I would like to see the last 3 to be made as well. (I'm currently reading the fifth one)

[judomaster]

Ok, I just don't know what "Deus Ex Machina" means. :cool:
if i understand correctly it means god in the machine
i'd like to see a movie made out of the novel city of heroes the web of arachnoes

[JBond]

Thanks, it's been answered about 4 times now and I learned it the first time a few months ago. ;)

[Brenzi51]

I don't mind seeing modern day Shakespeare adaptations. I find that they have the potential to be done well...

[Angelixx]

Either the Libba Bray books
a great and terrible beauty
rebel angels

would be great for fantasy fans...just would make a fun movie i think


or any of the series from Tamora Pierce........would make some epic movie stuff right there

[Spidey2DocOck]

2-Executive Orders. By Tom Clancy, when Jack Ryan become the American President & the war with Iran.

3-Without Remorse. By Tom Clancy, the back story of John Clarke.



Too bad all Clancy films have gone to delveopment hell.

[smaaz]

Digitalfortress- by Dan Brown must be good suspense movie.

[Amnien]

All 12 cirque du freak books (aka the saga of darren shan)
The demonata books

[HaDoKen]

Tokyo- Mo Hayder

[FranklinTard]

Foundation and Rama would be incredible, but the fact that rama would be impossible is never mentioned in your thread.

foundation also might be impossible because there are so many people in it, and so much time is lapsed in those books, however im a huge fan of both books and would love to see a 3 hour long romp through the space station rama.


and maybe youve never heard of it, but this book called fight club might make a good movie, maybe thats just me though.

[judomaster]

the last legionary

[JBond]

Foundation and Rama would be incredible, but the fact that rama would be impossible is never mentioned in your thread.

foundation also might be impossible because there are so many people in it, and so much time is lapsed in those books, however im a huge fan of both books and would love to see a 3 hour long romp through the space station rama.

Why would Rama be impossible? If they combined Rendezvous with Rama and Rama II it coudl make a great movie.

Foundation on the other hand, yes, that would be very difficult. Even made perfectly, most people would hate it. It would have to be for fsci-fi ans only.

[Tzarinna]

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Now that I think about it Children of Men had the vibe and essence that this book would call for but I don't think anyone would be able to sleep for a few days after watching it. :(

[FranklinTard]

J Bond, you really think when Rama turns on that it can be done on screen? i think it would be very hard to make it convincing looking, and all the crazy stuff thats in that book, half of it would look terrible because everyone has their own way of seeing all the 'aliens' and what not of the rama. I have not read Rama 2 however so ill have to get back to you, actually i need a book to read, rama here i come....

[Knerys]

I still say Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear would make an excellent movie.


As for Sahekspear apadtions, I wouldn't mind seeing King Lear done.

[JBond]

J Bond, you really think when Rama turns on that it can be done on screen? i think it would be very hard to make it convincing looking, and all the crazy stuff thats in that book, half of it would look terrible because everyone has their own way of seeing all the 'aliens' and what not of the rama. I have not read Rama 2 however so ill have to get back to you, actually i need a book to read, rama here i come....

Haha, you said you couldn't imagine all the aliens and stuff, and then you said you haven't read past the first book. There is soooo much more after that one. Are there even Octospiders in the first book?

And I think it can be done no problem. Sure, there would be a lot of green screen shots, but to keep the eyestrain to a minimum, they could have more close-up shots.

[FranklinTard]

Thats true, but i think you ask too much, and the book was reccomended by someone, and they said the second one just wasn't up to par. Should i rethink this advice?

Personally, some things should just be left to the theater of the mind.

[Fiverrabbit]

Meredith Ann Pierce's The Firebringer Trilogy.

[JBond]

Thats true, but i think you ask too much, and the book was reccomended by someone, and they said the second one just wasn't up to par. Should i rethink this advice?

Personally, some things should just be left to the theater of the mind.

I've heard someone say they didn't like the second book either, so...what can I say? I like it. It has great characters and goes into this epic story, it's a ride.

[judomaster]

super boxersgraphic novel

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Restaraunt at the End of the Universe

[Downhere]

I'd love for The Circle Trilogy (by Ted Dekker) to be made into films. Unfortunately, they keep making films of his other books and they seem to completely change the stories instead of sticking with the books which worked.