Top 5 Most Anticipated Films Based on Books

This week on What's Next Wednesday we're taking a look at 5 films coming out this year that are based on books. I've excluded the obvious choices of The Fault in Our Stars and If I Stay since they appear on our Top 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies of 2014.

5. Wild (Directed by Jean-Marc Valiée | Starring Reese Witherspoon | Release Date: TBD)
Based on “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed

I'm thinking of this book as a female version of Into the Wild, which could honestly be something amazing. The book is a memoir about Strayed's travels on the Pacific Crest trail where she faces physical challenges and makes existential realization following hardships in her life. First of all, I can see this being a vehicle for Reese Witherspoon to potentially pick up her second Oscar nomination. More importantly, I can see this being a heartbreaking and emotional character study about the human spirit. Yeah, I'll have that. With Nick Hornsby writing the script and Jean-Mark Valiée at the helm, I can see this film being something great.

4. The Maze Runner (Directed by Wes Ball | Starring Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and Thomas Sangster | Release Date: September 19, 2014)
Based on “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner

Yes, young adult dystopian novels being turned into movies is getting a little old (I'm looking at you The Hunger Games and Divergent), but The Maze Runner has something really going for it. While it maintains the mysterious teenagers in some dire situation motif and involves the main character changing the ways that have been set for years, it has a wholly unique premise involving a mysterious maze that these teens are trapped in, hence the title. I haven't read the book, but with reviews calling it thrilling and heart-pounding, I can't wait to see what this movie can do.

3. Unbroken (Directed by Angelina Jolie | Starring Garrett Hedlund, Jai Courtney, and Domhnall Gleeson | Release Date: December 25, 2014)
Based on “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand

Historical World War II drama? Check. Survival in the open sea? Check. Survival in an internment camp? Check. Angelina Jolie? Check. In A Land of Blood and Honey, Jolie's directorial debut, she was able to prove that she is more than a pretty face. Her control of atmosphere and mood was surprising and refreshing, so when I heard she was directing another film that would require just that type of touch I got excited. Unbroken tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, an olympic athlete who fights in World War II who spent 47 days in the ocean following a plane crash. To make matters worse he is captured by the Japanese and held prisoner for 2 and half years. It also probably doesn't hurt that the Coen brothers are penning the film. Yeah, I hope it's as good as it sounds too.

2. Gone Girl (Directed by David Fincher | Starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike | Release Date: October 3, 2014)
Based on “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn

Amy Dunne mysteriously disappears on her and her husband Nick's fifth wedding anniversary. Simple enough, but Flynn's book takes us through twists and turns as evidence builds against Nick. The book is particularly successful due to its use of an unreliable narrator which would usually be difficult for a film, but with David Fincher at the helm I can see no wrong being done.

1. This is Where I Leave You (Directed by Shawn Levy | Starring Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Corey Stoll, Connie Britton, and Rose Byrne | Release Date: September 12, 2014)
Based on “This is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper

Tropper's dark comedy is one of my favorite books of all time. Just take the humor of Arrested Development and merge with a disjointed and dysfunctional family sitting shiva in the wake of their father's death. The result? Hilarity, drama, and whole lot of screaming. The fact that the film is being written by the book's author, directed by comedy genius Shawn Levy, and starring a host of A-list stars gives this movie the makings of something absolutely great. The book will make you laugh, cry, scream, reevaluate your family dynamics and if the film can do the same, then it is set.

What book to film adaptations are you excited for?