Mister Pip in safe hands to come to the big screen

The Kiwi director behind blockbusters like Shrek and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is set to turn his cinematic skills on a New Zealand best selling book.

Andrew Adamson has written the screenplay and will direct the movie adaptation of Lloyd Jones' booker shortlisted novel "Mister Pip". The film is set in Papua New Guinea where Adamson spent much of his teenage years growing up.

Shooting will take place in Australia although there is no word yet on when this is likely to begin or any casting decisions.

I'm really pleased at the decision to entrust this book to Andrew Adamson - because it's a New Zealand novel now being brought to the big screen by another Kiwi, and because Adamson will bring an understanding and a sympathy for the setting that I doubt other directors could.

And while I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I will be curious to see how the movie turns out.

Do you have any suggestions for casting for the novel? Any Hollywood big shots or relative unknowns you think would suit the parts of Mr Watts and young Matilda?

The Lovely Bones

The only thing that made me more excited about my favourite book, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold being made into a movie was the news that legendary Kiwi director Peter Jackson was to direct.

Now the trailer is out.

Click here to watch.

I. Can't. Wait!

Angelina Jolie as Dr Kay Scarpetta?

It seems Hollywood gossip and book news go hand in hand this week! Here's one more for you...

Angelina Jolie, Fox 2000 and author Patricia Cornwell are teaming up for a killer deal.

The studio is acquiring screen rights to Cornwell’s bestselling book series on medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta, to develop as a vehicle for Jolie. There are 16 Scarpetta novels, meaning a franchise is hoped for, but this film won’t be tied to a specific Cornwell mystery title.

Much the way that Jason Bourne morphed into an action hero in plots not rigidly locked into the Robert Ludlum book series, the opera-loving coroner Scarpetta will be the lead in a suspense thriller in the vein of “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Seven.”

The deal is a mega-marriage, with Jolie one of the most bankable female movie stars, and Cornwell one of the biggest selling female authors in the world.

Cornwell, whose latest installment “Scarpetta” was published last December by Putnam, last year made a deal with Lifetime Television to adapt two non-Scarpetta novels, “At Risk” and “The Front.”

– from Variety


I'll admit here and now to never having read a Patricia Cornwell novel, they just aren't my cup of tea, but my mum loves them and tells me she is horrified at Ms Jolie's as Kay Scarpetta. Apparently it's "unfathomable" to her how Angelina can match up with the fictional character.

Are there any Scarpetta fans lurking out there? If so, what do you think of this casting decision?

I am always apprehensive...

...when books I love are turned into movies.

After all, everyone knows that movies never do justice to the books (think Lord of the Rings, Bridget Jones's Diary, Harry Potter etc)

Two of the books I love are currently in the process of being made into films.

The Lovely Bones has been well talked about with an all star cast assembled, the last minute change of lead actor (Ryan Gosling out, Mark Whalbery in) and our own Peter Jackson at the directing helm.

Another novel I love is in pre production and the lead castings have just been released.

I was so excited until I read the article and found out who was starring:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974681.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Fanning sisters set for 'Keeper'

Duo join Cameron Diaz in Nick Cassavetes film

By MICHAEL FLEMING

New Line Cinema has set siblings Dakota and Elle Fanning to star with Cameron Diaz in "My Sister's Keeper," the Nick Cassavetes-directed adaptation of the Jodi Picoult novel. Production begins this March in Los Angeles.

Elle Fanning will play a young girl who sues for emancipation from her parents. Mom and Dad conceived her as a genetic match with the hope she could prolong her cancer-ridden sister's life.

Jeremy Leven wrote the script, and Mark Johnson will produce. Both teamed with Cassavetes and New Line on "The Notebook."

Pic marks the first time that the girls will work in scenes together on a film; both appeared in "I Am Sam."

The girls are younger than they were in Picoult's novel, but a decision was made to cast them younger because it was age-appropriate for Diaz.

Dakota Fanning recently completed the ensemble drama "Winged Creatures" with Kate Beckinsale and Forest Whitaker and is in Hong Kong shooting "Push," a Paul McGuigan-directed drama with Chris Evans and Djimon Honsou. Elle Fanning recently completed "Benjamin Button" and the indie drama "Phoebe in Wonderland," and she just completed "Nutcracker: The Untold Story," in which she has the starring role.

I am afraid. Very afraid.