Today is World Book Day, and we're celebrating with 10 book adaptations coming to Cineworld screens very soon, plus one that's already here...
1. The Invisible Man (on release now)
Elisabeth Moss delivers a bravura performance in this latest shocker from horror experts Blumhouse (Get Out). The film owes its inception to H.G. Wells' 1897 story, and is a loose continuation of Universal's 'Dark Universe' franchise, which updates the studio's classic monster properties from the 1930s and 1940s. This iteration of The Invisible Man puts a diabolically clever and topical spin on the material, as Moss' abused wife inherits the house of her apparently deceased husband – only to suspect he's not actually dead...
2. The Secret Garden (released 10th April)
Francis Hodgson Burnett's timeless children's story has been adapted for the big screen many times before. Perhaps the most famous is the critically acclaimed 1993 version, which starred Maggie Smith as severe housekeepers Mrs. Medlock. It's the classic tale of a neglected garden whose unveiling unlocks emotional undercurrents in a deeply troubled family, with Colin Firth and Julie Walters leading the cast. It's adapted from the novel by His Dark Materials scribe Jack Thorne, produced by Paddington's David Heyman and directed by National Treasure's Marc Munden.
3. Antlers (released 17th April)
Looking for something altogether more spooky? This folkloric chiller is taken from a terrifying short story by Nick Antosca, who also contributes to the screenplay. Black Mass' Scott Cooper directs and The Shape of Water's Guillermo del Toro produces, bringing us a foreboding tale of a child who makes a pact with a wendigo, an evil spirit from Native American folklore. When this union puts the boy's local town in danger, all hell breaks loose. The Rise of Skywalker's Keri Russell and The Irishman's Jesse Plemons star.
4. The Woman In The Window (released 15th May)
A.J. Finn's twisty psychological thriller comes to the big screen courtesy of Darkest Hour director Joe Wright, and screenwriter/playwright/actor Tracey Letts (Le Mans '66). Amy Adams is the agoraphobic child psychologist confined to her New York apartment, who suspects her neighbour across the way of murdering his wife. But when said spouse re-emerges as a completely different woman, Adams' character Dr. Anna Fox is forced to question her own sanity. Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore feature in the heavyweight cast.
5. Artemis Fowl (released 29th May)
Thor and Murder on the Orient Express helmer Kenneth Branagh returns to the world of family-friendly fantasy with this adaptation of Eoin Colfer's novel. Ferdia Shaw plays the titular character, a young criminal genius searching for his missing father – oh, and there are magical fairies involved, too. The star-studded ensemble cast includes Josh Gad, Judi Dench and Colin Farrell, and the latest trailer can be viewed below.
6. Candyman (released 12th June)
Back in 1992, bloodcurdling horror Candyman was adapted from author Clive Barker's short story 'The Forbidden'. Barker's mythology now informs this "spiritual sequel" from writer/producer Jordan Peele (Get Out; Us), as the monstrous, hook-handed serial killer returns to stalk the screen. Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays artist Anthony, who's intrigued by the gentrification of the Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago, where he grew up. This is the area that gave rise to the Candyman legend, and Anthony's decision to artistically intrepret the myth soon brings down unspeakable horror on his head.
7. How To Build A Girl (released 3rd July)
Caitlin Moran's spirited and affectionate Sunday Times bestseller is brought to the screen this year, with Booksmart scene-stealer Beanie Feldstein in the lead role. The rising Hollywood star adopts a Wolverhampton accent to portray a disaffected teenage girl, who escapes her working-class Midlands roots to reinvent herself as a brash London-based journalist. The excellent cast also includes Paddy Considine, Alfie Allen and Emma Thompson.
8. Death On The Nile (released 9th October)
Back in 2017, actor/writer/director Kenneth Branagh turned his Agatha Christie adaptation Murder On The Orient Express into box office gold. He now presents the next installment of detective Hercule Poirot's adventures, once again directing and starring as the whiskered Belgian sleuth. When Poirot's Nile river cruise is interrupted by a mysterious death, he must get to the bottom of things, before the killer strikes again. Armie Hammer and Gal Gadot are among the glamorous suspects.
9. The Witches (released 16th October)
Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis turns his attention to a Roald Dahl classic in this fiendish fantasy adventure. We already got a memorable version of The Witches back in 1990, with a fabulous Angelica Huston portraying the diabolical Grand High Witch. Now, Anne Hathaway steps into the shoes made famous by Huston, in an enjoyably creepy story of a young boy who uncovers a plot to turn Britain's children into mice.
10. Dune (released 18th December)
Sci-fi master Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) adapts Frank Herbert's landmark novel, already tackled by David Lunch back in 1984. That version was a notorious misfire, so expectations are high that the cerebral and thoughtful Villeneuve can do justice to the complex tapestry of Herbert's novel. Timothee Chalamet leads a superb cast as the young Paul Atreides, who becomes embroiled in all manner of political machinations and subterfuge on the desert planet of Arrakis. Brace yourselves: Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem make up possibly the greatest cast of 2020.
Are any of your favourite books due to be turned into movies this year? Let us know @Cineworld.
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