The latest cast members to join Ender's Game: Abigail Breslin has taken the role of Ender's (Asa Butterfield) older sister, Valentine. Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak will play Ender's older brother, Peter. Hailee Steinfeld will play Petra Arkanian, one of Ender's closest allies. Aramis Knight, Moises Arias, Suraj Parthasarathy, Conor Carroll and Khylin Rhambo will play other kids at the school.
"The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks to become a musical. According to Zap2It, the musical is being written by "One Tree Hill" star Bethany Joy Galeotti and Ron Aniello.
"Go the --- to Sleep" to get a G-Rated version, "Seriously, Just Go to Sleep" and is scheduled to release next year.
According to The New York Times, “'Infinity Ring,' a seven-book series on time travel with an online game component, will begin its rollout in September, the publisher plans to announce officially on Tuesday. The first book, “A Mutiny in Time,” will be written by James Dashner, the best-selling author of 'The Maze Runner.'" Other authors who are signed on to write books for the series are Carrie Ryan, Lisa McMann, Matt de la Peña, Matthew Kirby and Jennifer A. Nielsen.
The Hunger Games 'Capitol Colors' Nail Polish Collection Ad Campaign features Effie Trinkett and the tag line, 'What will you be wearing to the opening ceremonies?' You can view the ad here.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, I get to share an audiobook clip from TEMPEST, an upcoming debut novel by Julie Cross. You can read my review for Tempest here. You can find the 7 minute preview below the synopsis.
About Tempest: The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.
That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.
Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.
But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.
Audio Excerpt:
Tempest is scheduled for release in Hardcover, E-book, and Audiobook on January 17, 2012 and is available for pre-order: Macmillan, Amazon, B&N.
A trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was finally released this week!
The Hobbit follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining the company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters, and Sorcerers.
Martin Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins and looks to be an excellent fit for the part based on the surprising amount of footage for a first trailer - considering the movie isn't expected to release for another year. Yes, that seems like a long time to me, too. Until then, or at the very least until a new trailer for The Hobbit comes along, here's two and a half minutes of Middle-Earth to hold you over:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first film in Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of The Hobbit and arrives in theaters on December 14, 2012.
The Hobbit: There and Back Again is expected a year later on December 13, 2013.
According to Deadline, the adaptation of Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison will be directed by Kat Coiro. The director says, “Here Lies Bridget is a profound coming of age story wrapped in the glossy packaging of a teen comedy – think an edgy It’s A Wonderful Life meets Mean Girls.” The script was written by Leah Rachel, and casting is underway."
Tomorrow is Today is a short-story prequel to Tempest by Julie Cross, which is scheduled for release on January 17, 2012.
Tomorrow is Today takes place a few months before Tempest begins. Jackson already has a confidant trying to help him figure out the time-travel stuff, but there’s very little traveling through time going on in this book and, therefore, very little explanation. Instead, the story focuses on Jackson and his growing feelings for Holly—who has a boyfriend.
In Tempest, Jackson and Holly already have an established relationship so it’s nice to see them before they were a couple. As a big fan of Tempest, I enjoyed jumping back in time with these characters. I quickly remembered how much I like reading from Jackson’s point of view and how anxious I am for the sequel.
It was a little disappointing that the story ended so soon – there’s still a two month gap between the end of Tomorrow is Today and the beginning of Tempest, but it’s a fun read anyway.
I’m not sure how much I would have enjoyed this one had I not read Tempest first and had that familiarity and connection with the characters. But even though it’s not necessary to read this one beforehand, it’s still a great way to test out this debut author’s writing style and get a sneak peak of her upcoming book.
Tomorrow is Today is still available for free on Amazon and B&N and includes the first four chapters of Tempest.
When I heard that a screen adaptation of the bestselling pregnancy guidebook, What to Expect When You're Expecting was in development, I wasn't sure what to think about the news. The book incorporates everything about pregnancy, childbirth, birthing alternatives, a preconception plan, etc.
After viewing the trailer, I must say - it doesn't look too bad. The screen adaptation follows the relationships of seven couples as they experience the thrills, terrors, surprises, aches, and pains of preparing to embark on life's biggest journey: parenthood.
The cast includes big names like Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Dennis Quaid and Chase Crawford.
Another film with a seemingly winning cast that comes to mind: Valentines Day - not even a plethora of A-listers could save that one. Hopefully What to Expect When You're Expecting will not rely primarily on the cast to hold it up.
Anyway, if you haven't seen the trailer, you can view it here (courtesy of Yahoo! movies):
The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook offers more than 150 recipes inspired by the popular series. USA Today gives a sample of a recipe from the book--Small Critter Casserole.
A new cast member added to The Host adaptation: William Hurt has been cast as Jeb, Melanie's crazy uncle and a leader of the human resistance.
Here is the first trailer for 'The Lucky One' - a Nicholas Sparks adaptation starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling.
The Lucky One centers on a Marine who survives three tours in Iraq. He attributes his good fortune to a photograph he carried of a woman he has never met, and he sets out to meet his good-luck charm when he returns from deployment.
Release Date: April 20, 2012
What do you think? Do you like Nicholas Sparks adaptations?
Here's a look at the book-to-movie adaptations hitting theaters this month:
Coriolanus
Caius Martius 'Coriolanus' (Ralph Fiennes), a revered and feared Roman General is at odds with the city of Rome and his fellow citizens. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he is loath to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuses to support him, Coriolanus’s anger prompts a riot that culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the city.
Release Date: December 2, 2011 Based on Book: Coriolanus by William Shakespeare Studio: The Weinstein Company Director: Ralph Fiennes Screenwriter: John Logan Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave MPAA Rating: R
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
The time is 1973. The Cold War of the mid-20th Century continues to damage international relations. Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), a.k.a. MI6 and code-named the Circus, is striving to keep pace with other countries' espionage efforts and to keep the U.K. secure.
Release Date: December 9, 2011 Based on Book:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré Studio: Focus Features Director: Tomas Alfredson Screenwriter: Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan Starring: Gary Oldman, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Svetlana Khodchenko MPAA Rating: R
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room... until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.
Release Date:December 16, 2011 Based on Book: Based on the short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Guy Ritchie Screenwriter: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams MPAA Rating: PG-13
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
A discredited journalist and a mysterious computer hacker discover that even the wealthiest families have skeletons in their closets while working to solve the mystery of a 40-year-old murder.
Release Date: December 21, 2011 Based on Book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Studio: Columbia Pictures (Sony) Director: David Fincher Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, Joely Richardson MPAA Rating: R
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Oskar (Thomas Horn) is convinced that his father (Tom Hanks), who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, has left a final message for him hidden somewhere in the city. Feeling disconnected from his grieving mother (Sandra Bullock) and driven by a relentlessly active mind that refuses to believe in things that can't be observed, Oskar begins searching New York City for the lock that fits a mysterious key he found in his father's closet.
Release Date: December 25, 2011
Based on Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Stephen Daldry Screenwriter: Eric Roth Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, James Gandolfini, Zoe Caldwell, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Max von Sydow MPAA Rating: PG-13
War Horse
Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, "War Horse" begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets.
Release Date: December 25, 2011
Based on Book:War Horse by Michael Morpurgo Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Director: Steven Spielberg Screenwriter: Lee Hall, Richard Curtis Starring: Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell MPAA Rating: PG-13
ABC Family is the network to watch this weekend if you're up for a Harry Potter movie marathon leading up to the Network Television Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Sunday 12/4 at 8:30/7:30c, as part of the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas! Be sure to catch the all-day Harry Potter marathon tomorrow (Saturday, December 3).
According to the press release:
December Brings the “25 Days of Christmas,” Including the World Premiere
of the New ABC Family Original Movie “12 Dates of Christmas,”
Starring Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar,
the Television Premiere of “Pink Panther: A Very Pink Christmas”
and the Basic Cable Premiere of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
Cable’s Biggest Programming Event of the Year
Also Features Network Premiere Broadcasts of
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and Disney∙Pixar’s “Up,”
and Returning Favorites such as “Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,”
“The Santa Clause,” and “The Polar Express”
ABCFamily.com is Decking the Halls with Two Holiday Sweepstakes,
According to USA Today, "Janet Evanovich's Explosive Eighteen enters USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list at No. 2 thanks to fan fever for any new book starring New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum as well as early hype for the first Plum movie, One for the Money. Based on the first book in the series, it stars Katherine Heigl. Release date: Jan. 27."
Harrison Ford joins cast for Ender's Game as Colonel Graff. Ender's Game is aiming for a March 2013 release.
A Featurette on The Lucky One, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks and starring Zac Efron, offers a first-look of the adaptation.
