Have you noticed that there have been a whole lot more adaptation announcements lately? Well, you’re not the only one to notice that pattern!
As it turns out, there really is a spike at the moment. 2020 was the year when most of us were stuck inside our houses – including producers and directors. Suddenly, they were consuming many more books than usual, and many of them fell in love with what they read.
This is fantastic news for readers! Though it can be a lot to follow, given how many announcements keep popping up. With that in mind, here’s a list of some adaptations heading our way in 2021 and beyond.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Dune is first up on the list, as the movie adaptation (not the first time this novel has gotten a movie, mind you) is set to release on October 3. Fans of this famous novel can head to the theaters to watch it or hop on HBO Max.
Dune was first released on October 15, 1965, yet it is still firmly in the minds of many readers – as evidenced by this latest movie. So if science fiction is your jam, be sure to add this one to your TBR – and your TBW (to be watched!).
The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eci Jager
For readers looking for something a bit more informative – but still very dramatic – there’s always The Last Duel. This adaptation is set to release in theaters on October 15 and stars Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Adam Driver.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
An adaptation for The Wheel of Time is one that countless fans have been waiting years for – literally. Amazon and Sony bought the rights, and readers can rest assured that the series will drop on Amazon – on November 19, 2021.
Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham
Nightmare Alleys‘ adaptation originally came out in 1947, and now there’s a remake on the way. This time the noir film will have stars Paul Anderson, Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett, and William Dafoe taking center stage. Oh, did I mention that Guillermo del Toro is directing? Nightmare Alley is scheduled to release on December 17, 2021.
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
Kristen Hannah fans rejoice! Her famous novel, The Nightingale, is getting an adaptation, and thank goodness for that. The Nightingale is scheduled to release on December 22, 2021, and will be set in France during WWII.
Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith
If thrillers are more your thing, then be sure to add Patricia Highsmith’s Deep Water to your calendar. Deep Water stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas and is scheduled to release in January 2022. This is an erotic and family thriller with bucket loads of tension.
The Black Phone by Joe Hill
Joe Hill’s short story, The Black Phone, has an expected release date of January 28, 2022. It stars Ethan Hawke and follows an abducted child and other dark horrors.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Where the Crawdads Sing, written by Delias Owens, is the next novel on this list officially getting an adaptation. This crime drama follows a mysterious murder in a small village and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, and Harris Dickinson.
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie fans are either anticipating or dreading the adaptation of Death on the Nile. Depending on their stance for this sort of thing. This follows the recent adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, which had a lukewarm reception. Death on the Nile will release in theaters in February 2022.
Amazon’s Lord of the Ring Series
Okay, so the odds are actually very good that you’ve already heard about Amazon’s Lord of the Ring series. What might be less clear is what it’s about – and when it’s releasing. The series is set thousands of years before the events of Lord of the Rings and thus will be following different characters and events (though the events will likely tie into the famous events we know so well). As for the release date, current estimates say September 2, 2022. However, the series has gone through several delays, so be prepared for changes.
The Green Knight
Next up is another famous tale – the tale of the Green Knight. Now, Green Knight is actually already out and ready for readers to watch – but given the events of the world, not all readers have had the chance to step out and watch this one yet.
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Have you heard the news? Amazon officially picked up Daisy Jones and the Six. The novel will eventually become a 13 episode miniseries, and it will be produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company (Hello Sunshine).
Wool by Hugh Howey
Dystopian fans take notice – Apple+ has gained the rights to adapt Hugh Howey’s Wool series. The series will star Rebecca Ferguson, and if it’s anything like the novels, it will be set in a toxic world (literally) where people have taken to underground silos to survive.
Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
Brian K. Vaughan has a way of writing fantastic graphic novels that capture the minds and loyalty of his readers. One of his other series, Y: The Last Man, only recently released from adaptation limbo and is currently airing on Hulu. Paper Girls is set in 1988, as as you might imagine – it follows a group of paper girls. What might surprise you are the time-traveling and science fiction elements. Paper Girls doesn’t currently have a release date, but readers are hoping for late 2021, or more likely sometime during 2022.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The adaptation of classic novels continues with Persuasion. Surprisingly, Persuasion will not be heading to theaters – as it is Netflix that nabbed the rights for this adaption. It will star Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis and will hopefully release sometime in 2022.
Like what you see? Stay tuned for the next part of the series!
