Book to Movie: Codex Alera - The Furies of Calderon

Plot: 

Cover of Furies of Calderon

In the realm of Alera, where people bond with the furies-elementals of earth, air, fire, water and metal, fifteen-year-old Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. But when his homeland erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Tavi's simple courage will turn the tides of war. (Source: Goodreads)

Could it be a good movie?

In my opinion, the "Pokemon" meets "Lost Roman Legion" Fantasy Book could translate pretty well to the big screen. A future writer would have to trim down overtly dragging scenes in the middle part of the book. I really liked the down-to-earth fantasy, which should mirror in a classic movie direction.

My best comparison would be: Avatar - The Last Airbender, both have mythical powers connected to the elements; both world take heavy influence from real history, Ancient China and Ancient Rome, respectively. 

The comparison already shows the trap of a possible film adaptation: this is not for little children. The source material, the TV show and the book, deal with adult themes and dark decisions in a light world, nonetheless should you dumb it down - the audience will punish you for it.

The Last Airbender Movie Poster

Ne Ro over at Pinterest has created a Casting Sheet; head over there and tell me if you agree or not. Some Stars include Nicole Kidman, Ellen Page, Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler.

Book to Movie: Rivers of London (Midnight Riot) by Ben Aaronovitch

3,93 Stars of 5 by 10,912 ratings (Goodreads)

"What would happen if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Fuzz?" - Diana Gabaldon

Plot:

The novel centres around the adventures of Peter Grant, a young officer in the Metropolitan Police; who, following an unexpected encounter with a ghost, is recruited into the small branch of the Met that deals with magic and the supernatural.

Peter Grant, having become the first English apprentice wizard in fifty years, must immediately deal with two different but ultimately inter-related cases. In one he must find what is possessing ordinary people and turning them into vicious killers, and in the second he must broker a peace between the two warring gods of the River Thames (Source: Wiki)

Will it be a good series?

In June news broke, that Feel Films (London based production company, that holds the rights for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell) has optioned Rivers of London for television. (Source: DenOfGeek)

I expect, that one series/season with roughly four to six episodes will tell the story of one book. My answer:

Yes, it will be a good series, due to the combination of fantasy elements with the traditional crime genre. It has a great plot, like-able and interesting characters as well as heaps of fantasy. British television has hit a streak right now (Doctor Who, Downton Abby, Luther, Sherlock) - which brings up the hope for a great Rivers of London series.

But why not a movie? 

The visuals and scope do not necessarily demand the high-budget of a movie, and I think, that more time to develop the characters and the story will actually help the finished product. 

Another reason why a movie company will never ever make a movie based on the books (even if there were no television series) is the simple fact, that we saw something similar bomb at the box-office: R.I.P.D.

With an estimated budget of $130 Million the Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds led movie only earned $70 Million in the world-wide box office. The greatest similarity of course is the formula: cops + fantasy. In theory that sounds good, but the script had many problems as I wrote two years ago. The protagonist was bland, the motivation unclear and the ending really unsatisfaying. For the next few years the "cop + fantasy" idea will be avoided in Hollywood like the plague. 

One of the victims could have been a possible Rivers of London adaption, but thankfully we will get a series.

Book to Movie: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Book to Movie:

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

(4,24 Stars of 5 with 31,201 Ratings - Goodreads.com)

Summary:
Elite con artists "Gentlemen Bastards" rob the rich of Camorr city, based on late medieval Venice. Two stories interweave. In the present, the Gentlemen fight a mysterious Grey King taking over the criminal underworld. Alternate chapters describe history and mythology of Camorr, the Gentlemen Bastards, and especially the protagonist Locke Lamora.(Source: Wiki)

Born with a quick wit and a gift for thieving, Locke Lamora dodges both death and slavery, only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains, neither blind nor a priest. A con artist of extraordinary talent, Chains passes his skills on to his carefully selected family of orphans “Gentlemen Bastards.”

Locke grows to lead, delightedly pulling off one outrageous trick after another, infamous as the Thorn of Camorr — no wealthy noble is safe from his sting. But the Gray King is slowly killing Capa Barsavi’s most trusted men and using Locke as a pawn in his plot to take control of Camorr’s underworld. With a bloody coup under way threatening to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the magically protected Gray King at his own brutal game — or die trying (Source: Goodreads)

WILL IT BE A GOOD MOVIE?

by Milena Aijala (a.k.a. qwertyprophecy)

The ingredients are there:

Oceans 13 Jr. meets Pirates of the Carribean

- an engaging plot, full of twists and turns

- interesting characters

- a fantasy world with a mythical history

All the movie needs is a creative, fearless cook, or in other words, a capable director. This is a rather broad statement, I know, every movie needs a good director. The one needed for Locke Lamora, has to be incredibly visual. The world of Camorr - based on Renaissance Venice - is stunningly wonderful and rich.

The challenge would be to reduce the dense plot to movie-length without losing the charm and wit of the book.

FILM ADAPTATION:

Warner Brothers bought the film rights soon after the book's release. The brothers Kevin and Dan Hageman (both having written the upcoming Lego and the sequel Hotel Transylvania 2) were to write the screenplay. Michael De Luca (Moneyball, The Social Network) and Julie Yorn (Red Riding Hood, We bought a Zoo) are set to produce. Both don't have much experience with fantasy works, which could prove difficult. 

Despite additional television rumors, as of 2013, no casting or other announcements have been released. (Source: Wiki)

Film or TV?

Definitely the first! I suggest a movie adaptation, because the single thread of storytelling revolving around Locke Lamora probably couldn't sustain multiple episodes. But with 6 (SIX!) planned sequels (plus two upcoming novellas) "The Lies of Locke Lamora" could prove to be the opening to a stellar franchise. 

Casting Possibilities:

Max Irons - Locke Lamora

He proved to be a big hit with the girls in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight and The Host, which could attract more viewers. Irons has the right mix of cunning and charm to portrait the leader of the "Gentleman Bastards".

Jack Reynor - Jean Tannen

The muscle to Locke's Brain, Jean is intimidating and strong. The upcoming star had a few indie hits and now moved on to star in the 4th Transformer movie.

Jeremy Irons - The Grey King

He is the main adversary; the brains behind the dangerous plots Locke finds himself tangled in. Fuelled my motives he is initially unwilling to reveal, the Grey King is ruthless but aristocratic in his mannerisms. (Source: camorr.com) Incidentally he is the father of actor Max Irons, which adds a great dynamic to the movies. Jeremy has a great, commanding presence with the right gravitas to the play the Grey King. 

Christian Bale - The Falconer

Perhaps the most formidable adversary in LoLL. The Falconer is a bondsmage from Karthain with otherworldly magical power, able to inflict extraordinary pain with just a few words and gestures. He is an arrogant, forbidding individual who takes obvious pleasure in the torture of others and works for the Grey King. He also has a bird companion, Vestral, whose violent nature and venom-filled claws augment the Falconer’s formidable presence. (Source: camorr.com) Bale has strong ties with Warner Bros (The Dark Knight Trilogy, etc) and is a great property to attract viewers. Bale has the right ambiguity and "evil-ness" to play this great role.

Francis Lawrence - Director

Lawrence proved over and over, that he is a great storyteller with a keen eye for heavy visuals with his movies Constantine or I am Legend. This was the reason he was chosen to adapt the second and third book in the Hunger Games Saga, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. 

Book to Movie: The Mistborn Trilogy

Wiki: The Mistborn series is four high fantasy novels written by Brandon Sanderson and published by Tor Fantasy between 2006 and 2008. The series consists of the original trilogy of Mistborn: The Final Empire, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension, and Mistborn: The Hero of Ages.

Will it be a good movie?

Yes and YES!

You want me to explain that? Okay...

Sanderson crafted a unique vision with action-packed sequences, interesting characters, many plot twists in a strange and alluring world. The first book is a 'Oceans 11' like crew pitted against an immortal tyrannt. The idea works so well, but is already highly visual and could be easily adapted into a movie.

The second and third book feature a grander scope, while keeping the grounded dynamics of the characters.

Film Adaptation

Brandon Sanderson himself broke the news, that Paloppa Pictures LLC picked up the rights for his fantasy trilogy (Link). Paloppa is a new florida-based company with no prior projects. Thanks to the Mistborn Movie Guide, we know that a third draft was written and that they are looking for a studio right now.

In an interview Brandon Sanderson stated, that he would like Bryan Singer to direct, while Ellen Page is his dream casting for the female protagonist.

This is the 'Mood Trailer' Paloppa put together, to pitch the movie: 

From Book to Movie: The Painted Man

The Painted Man / The Warded Man Movie  
by Peter V. Brett.

Wiki: The novel follows three POV characters in their passage from childhood to maturity. They are inhabitants of a world plagued by the attacks of demons known as corelings, which rise from the planet's core each night to feast upon humans. The ongoing attrition of these attacks have reduced humanity from an advanced state of technology to a 'dark age'. The only defense against the corelings are wards (magical runes) that can be drawn, painted, or inscribed to form protective barriers around human settlements. These are, however, fragile and prone to failure unless properly maintained. (Source)

WILL IT BE A GOOD MOVIE?

The Painted / Warded Man is a fun ride, full of action-packed sequences but with little emotional impact. Additionally, the obstacles are quite easy for the characters to overcome, robbing the reader or viewer of emotional investment. 
Do not confuse this with a Lord of the Rings style epic. The scope is much smaller, the stakes never reach those heights, but perhaps the sequels 'The Desert Spear' and 'The Daylight War' broaden the image.
In my opinion, it could be an entertaining movie with good actors lending depth to otherwise shallow protagonists... although the first news are more than troubling:

FILM ADAPTATION

Back in 2009 The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, that Paul W. S. Anderson (left) and his producing partner Jeremy Bolt picked up the rights for The Painted Man / The Warded Man. Both produced the Resident Evil - Franchise, whose five movies grossed nearly 1 billion dollar in worldwide box office (Box Office Mojo). The critics on the other hand were less than enthusiastic with the latest outing only receiving 31% on RottenTomatoes.

What will this mean for the adaptation of Peter V. Bretts fantasy book? 

Quite possibly with this producing team behind the camera we are in for another cheap and cheesy B-Movie.