Books Becoming Movies in 2020 (Part 2)

In the first part of our article, we looked at books like The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Artemis Fowl, The Turn of the Screw, Death on the Nile and others that are in the process of hitting the big screen this year. It seems like 2020 is going to be a fully packed year for movies based on books, so here are a few more novels set to grace cinemas in the upcoming weeks and months.

Emma

by Jane Austen

Emma by Jane Austen was published in 1816 and follows the story of Emma Woodhouse as she meddles in the romantic affairs of those around her. It was one of her most favorably reviewed novels and its popularity also meant that there has been a lot of film, radio and even stage adaptations over the years. The latest attempt, simply titled Emma, stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the role of Emma Woodhouse and Johnny Flynn as George Knightley. The cast also includes Bill Nighy, Mia Goth, and Gemma Whelan. Principal photography for the movie began in March of 2019 and the scheduled released date is February of 2020.

Rebecca

by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca, the 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier, is also receiving another film adaptation in 2020. The story follows the heroine as she goes from a lady's maid to receiving a proposal from a dashing widower. The unnamed narrator is swept off her feet by Maxim de Winter and moves to his massive country estate with him. However, there she has to deal with an evil that appears to be lingering in the estate. Numerous actresses have stepped into the role of the heroine over the years, including Joan Fontaine in the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock version, and Joanna David in the 1979 BBC adaptation. The upcoming film version sees Lily James taking on the role while Armie Hammer plays Maxim de Winter.

Dune

by Frank Herbert

Dunk, by Frank Herbert, was first published in 1965 and is still considered by many fans to be one of the greatest science fiction books ever written. Time has done nothing to diminish its popularity and it went one to become one of the world's best-selling science fiction novels. The story focuses on Paul Atreides, a young man who moves to the planet Arrakis after his family takes on stewardship of the spice production there. However, the hugely coveted spice makes his family a target for everyone seeking to take control of the planet. Dune received a few sequels as well as a 1984 film by David Lynch. The film failed to live up to the enormous expectations and further film attempts also failed. It wasn't until 2016 that Legendary Entertainment announced an upcoming film adaptation directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides. Other names attached to the film include Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Javier Bardem and Jason Momoa.

Without Remorse

by Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy's name should be quite familiar to film fans at this stage as a number of his bestselling novels received blockbuster film adaptations. These include The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears. This year sees one more film getting added to this list, namely his 1993 thriller, Without Remorse. Although it is book number six in the Jack Ryan Universe, Without Remorse is the origin story for one of the recurring characters, John Clark. There have been a few attempts over the years to turn Without Remorse into a film, with everyone from Keanu Reeves to Tom Hardy rumored to step into the lead role. However, 2020 will finally see Without Remorse hitting the big screen with Michael B. Jordan as the star.

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett was first serialized in The American Magazine before it was published as a book in 1911. It is not just one of her most popular novels but has gone on to become a classic of children's literature. The novel follows the journey of Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old girl who grows up unwanted, unloved and neglected by her wealthy parents. After the death of her parents due to cholera, Mary is relocated to England to live with an uncle she has never met. It is here that Mary becomes interested in the secret garden where her uncle's late wife is said to have died due to an accident. Along with a 1919 film adaptation which is thought lost, The Secret Garden also saw 1949 and 1993 adaptations. The 2020 version will star Dixie Egerickx in the lead along with Colin Firth as Archibald Craven and Julie Walters as Mrs. Medlock. The release date for The Secret Garden is in April of this year.