The following movie adaptations do not have a set release date, but have been tentatively scheduled to come out this year.
The Hate U Give
Based on The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Release Date: TBD
Cast to include: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Common, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Issa Rae
Plot: Starr Carter, a 16-year-old black high school student witnesses a white police officer shooting her unarmed (best) friend Khalil. Starr lives between her two worlds: the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban private/prep school that she attends. The balance of these two worlds collapses after Khalil’s shooting. Everyone wants to know what took place that night and the only person who can answer that is Starr. But the problem is that what Starr says might endanger her life and her home. She must fight for what she believes in despite the given consequences.
Our thoughts: Due to the subject matter and the excellent reviews on this book, this was a given to be adapted into film. However, we haven’t seen or heard much aside from the casting. Still, we have high hopes this is going to be a strong movie with a strong message.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Based on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, the first book of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series by Jenny Han
Release Date: TBD
Cast to include: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, John Corbett
Plot: Lara Jean Covey writes letters to all of her past loves, the letters are meant for her eyes only. Until one day when all the love letters are sent out to her previous loves. Her life is soon thrown into chaos when her foregoing loves confront her one by one.
Our thoughts: Already in post-production, it’s probably just a matter of how it will be distributed. Hopefully it won’t take too long for that to happen, because we can’t wait to see Lana Condor as the lead!
Dumplin’
Based on Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Release Date: TBD
Cast to include: Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Dove Cameron, Luke Benward
Plot: A girl with the nickname “Dumplin'” enters a beauty pageant in order to win over the boy she likes and stick it to the other girls at school.
Our thoughts: Also in post-production, we could just be waiting for a U.S. Distributor, but with Jennifer Aniston in it and with Dolly Parton creating original music just for the film, we’ll be surprised if they don’t find one soon.
Monster
Based on Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Release Date: TBD
Cast to include: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Ehle, Tim Blake Nelson
Plot: Based on the award winning novel by Walter Dean Myers, the film tells the story of Steve Harmon, a 17 yr old honors student and aspiring filmmaker who gets caught up in a robbery where a murder happens. The film follows his dramatic journey through a complex legal battle for his fight to prove his innocence.
Our thoughts: Not to be confused with the 2003 movie of the same name that gave Charlize Theron her Academy Award, this is yet another heavy hitter that has some strong performers in it. It was nominated for a Grand Prize Jury at the Sundance Film Festival, too.
Ashes in the Snow
Based on Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: TBD
Cast to include: Bel Powley, Sophie Cookson, Jonah Hauer-King
Plot: In 1941, an aspiring artist and her family are deported to Siberia amidst Stalin’s brutal dismantling of the Baltic region. In a seemingly hopeless place, love is the only means of survival.
Our thoughts: According to records, the filming was done in 2016, but still has yet to be released in theaters. We’re not sure why there’s a delay as it could be a number of things, including finding the right timing for the release. But hopefully, it’ll make its way into theaters soon.
What are you looking forward to seeing in theaters? Comment below!