Upcoming Book Adaptations You Don't Want to Miss

You can always count on someone to tell you the book was better than the film before they’ve even risen from their seat in the cinema, but 2018 is shaping up to be the year where film triumphs over their literary counterparts.

Here’s a roundup of this year’s not-to-be-missed book to film adaptations.

'Red Sparrow'

Release date: March 2nd, 2018

Who can resist a good spy thriller, especially when Jennifer Lawrence will be playing CIA seductress Dominika Egorova, a State intelligence officer struggling to survive in the cast-iron bureaucracy of post-Soviet intelligence? Things become rather complicated for Dominika when she meets CIA agent Nathaniel Nash (Joel Edgerton), an American mole in Russia whom she really should expose. The book, which goes by the same name, provides insight into the secretive world of espionage and is written with insider knowledge of former CIA operative Jason Matthews. In fact a review posted by the CIA states the book contains "accurate and richly detailed renderings of anxiety-filled tasks conducted daily by intelligence operatives around the world."

'Peter Rabbit'

Release date: February 9th, 2018

Based on the beloved childhood books by Beatrix Potter, The Tale Of Peter Rabbit is the story of a mischievous rabbit and his encounters with elderly villain Mr. McGregor, who’s on a mission to keep troublesome animals out of his vegetable garden. Featuring an all star cast, the film brings to life the original characters that have captivated readers for generations, with James Corden voicing the namesake rabbit, along with Margot Robbie, Domnhall Gleeson, and Daisy Ridley. You can expect a joyous family film with a few laughs.

'Ophelia'

Release Date: TBD

For those whose Shakespeare knowledge begins and ends at Romeo and Juliet, Ophelia is the retelling of Hamlet but from the perspective of—yes, you’ve guessed it—Ophelia. In Lisa Klein’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Ophelia must choose between her love for Hamlet and her own life. In a surprising twist, she devises a plan to escape from Elsinore forever, with one very dangerous secret. It’s this dark and dramatic romance that holds readers in its grip until the final heartrending scene. Daisy Ridley will take on the lead role, with Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, and Tom Felton co-starring.

'Love, Simon'

Release date: March 16th, 2018

If falling in love with an anonymous classmate online isn’t arduous enough for seventeen-year-old Simon Spier, he’s also yet to tell his family or friends he’s gay. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger (This Is Us), Love, Simon is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story, and while this won’t be the first film to navigate the politics of sexuality, it does so with lighthearted and comedic flair. Jurassic World star Nick Robinson is Simon, while 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford plays his best female friend, Leah.

'Dumplin’'

Release Date: TBD

Dumplin' follows Willowdean Dickson, a self-proclaimed fat girl who sets out to reclaim her confidence by entering her small town's beauty pageant to prove she deserves her place in the spotlight as much as any other girl. It’s a story of confidence and self-love, told with a killer cast ,starring Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, and Ellen Dryver. If you’re still not sold, Dolly Parton is writing new, original music for the film.

'A Wrinkle In Time'

Release date: March 9th, 2018

Decades after its publication, A Wrinkle in Time is finally getting the film adaptation it deserves thanks to Disney. Madeleine L’Engle’s classic time-travelling story tells the tale of Meg Murray (Storm Reid) and her scientist father who goes missing somewhere in space. She and her genius younger brother are led on a cosmic journey to find him, guided by the three Mrs. — Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey).

'Mowgli'

Release date: October 18th, 2018

Jon Favreau put his spin on the classic tale of a little boy lost in the jungle for Disney’s live action remake in 2016 and now Andy Serkis is serving up yet another adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. While it may not seem like the world is in need of yet another remake, this all-star cast could possibly change your mind. Starring Serkis (who’ll play Baloo), Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett as Kaa the python, and Benedict Cumberbatch as everyone’s favourite evil tiger, Shere Khan. Relative newcomer Rohan Chand will play Mowgli.

'The Bell Jar'

Release date: October 18th, 2018

Kirsten Dunst is set make her feature film directorial debut with The Bell Jar, an adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s famed 1963 novel. The Bell Jar is set in the 1950s and follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman who takes an internship at a magazine in New York City but soon finds her life spiraling out of control as she struggles with mental illness. Sylvia Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes palpably real—even rational. A deep penetration into the darkest and most harrowing corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is an extraordinary accomplishment and a haunting American classic. Dakota Fanning has been set to play the lead role of Esther Greenwood.