BECAUSE THERE’S nothing like being able to say “It was good, but I liked the book better” is there? Get ahead of the curve by putting these books (soon to be films) on your reading list.
1. IT by Stephen King
What’s the story? Oh, you know this one, the childhood-ruining story of a being that appears in the form of a clown to attract its prey, young children. The book has more adult themes than the 1990 miniseries – but whether those will be embraced by the new remake, we’ll have to wait and see.
Who’s in it? Bill Skarsgard is Pennywise, while Finn Wolfhard (Mike from Stranger Things) plays one of the Losers’ Club.
When’s it out? September 8, 2017.
2. The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
What’s it about? Romance! Two strangers are stranded in the mountains after a plane crash – with little hope of rescue, they must trust each other in order to survive.
Who’s in it? Kate Winslet and Idris Elba. Swit swoo.
When’s it out? October 20, 2017.
3. Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
What’s it about? Spies! Goddamn sexy spies! Set in the modern day, a Russian secret agent falls for a CIA officer, and forbidden lust ensues.
Who’s in it? Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton.
When’s it out? November 10, 2017.
4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
What’s it about? Kirsten Dunst steps into the director’s role with this adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s only novel, which focuses on a young woman struggling with mental illness.
Who’s in it? Dakota Fanning, Patricia Arquette, and Jesse Plemons (AKA Meth Damon/Landry Clarke/Ed Blomquist, whatever you’re having yourself).
When’s it out? TBC
5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
What’s it about? A dystopian not-so-distant future where global warming is causing major social and economic problems. The escape? A virtual universe called OASIS. Steven Spielberg directs.
Who’s in it? Simon Pegg, Mark Rylance, and newcomers Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke.
When’s it out? TBC
6. Wonder by RJ Palacio
What’s it about? A boy born with a facial deformity tries to fit in at a new school and show that beauty is not just what’s on the outside. Prepare to weep.
Who’s in it? Jacob Tremblay, the young actor who impressed so much in Room, will play the leading role, with Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as his parents.
When’s it out? April 7, 2017.
7. My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
What’s it about? Daphne du Maurier is a master of gothic romance – this is the tale of Philip, a young man who falls in love with his cousin Rachel. He suspects, however, that she is only pretending to care for him to look after her own interests.
Who’s in it? Rachel Weisz is the titular Rachel, and Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games) plays Philip.
When’s it out? May 5, 2017.
8. The Dark Tower by Stephen King
What’s it about? Another Stephen King yarn – this one follows an 11-year-old boy who discovers another dimension called the Mid-World, where he meets a frontiersman knight who hopes to save the world from extinction.
Who’s in it? Idris Elba is the frontiersman, and Matthew McConaughey is the sorcerer who hopes to stop him saving the world.
When’s it out? July 28, 2017.
9. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
What’s it about? An excellent murder mystery in which detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a wealthy American on board the luxury passenger train.
Who’s in it? Kenneth Branagh is directing and starring as Poirot, and the rest of the star-studded cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dame Judi Dench and Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley.
When’s it out? November 22, 2017.
