From the Page to the Big Screen

Do you look forward to movie/TV adaptations of your favorite books? Or do you cringe a bit every time a new one is announced? Are you a stickler for specifics, or do you enjoy when the TV screen takes creative license?

Unfortunately, my teen years kind of ruined TV and movie adaptations for me and I dread the day I see a notice saying my favorite series are being turned into a movie or a TV show, which stinks. Like a lot of readers, I like the idea of seeing my favorite characters brought to life on the silver screen, but when Hollywood throws the entire book out the window, how am I supposed to be enthusiastic about that?

Considering this phenomenon keeps happening, can you blame me for my skepticism?

This one is so greatly debated! I would LOVE to see Rhysand and Feyre make it to the screen, but let’s be honest, could a mere mortal ever really stand in for our favorite High Lord? The terror that Hollywood would simply destroy this series terrifies me, and I’d rather it remain off the screen if that is the case.

The only exception to this rule, I think, would be if there were an animated series created for ACOTAR. I don’t think humans could truly do justice to Illyrians, High Lords, Feyre’s powers, or any of the other creatures of Prythian. Sorry, SJM, I think Throne of Glass and Crescent City fall into the same category.

Though I haven’t read this series yet, I think Fourth Wing falls into the same category as ACOTAR in that mere humans could never do justice to the characters and fantastical nature of the creatures and occurrences. The CGI required for the dragons alone would be significant, plus, Xaden Riorson is right up there with Rhysand in that, casting this role would be nearly impossible.

Basically, many of the modern romantasy series would be difficult for Hollywood to replicate the world and character building, and I don’t really trust that any of them would try very hard to do so. Plus, you throw in the utter disregard for the books, which are essentially a script in and of themselves. If these series were to be addressed by Hollywood and developed with human actors, I hope and pray that someone in a position of power ensures minimal deviation from the books.

And for those who say, “Following the book completely would mean the movie would be 4 or more hours long.” – Yes, it would be. And yes, the die-hard fans would absolutely sit through every wonderful minute of it.

What is your favorite or least favorite TV/Movie adaptation of a book?

Is there one you’re looking forward to?

Let me know in the comments!