Books have long served as fertile ground for Hollywood, providing built-in audiences, rich characters, and imaginative worlds that fuel some of the industry's biggest successes. This fall, several highly anticipated adaptations are set to bring beloved literary works to life on both the big and small screens.
Apple TV's "Slow Horses" returns for its sixth season on September 16. The series, an adaptation of Mick Herron's "Slough House" novels, follows the often-bumbling but capable spies led by the gruff Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman. While season six draws from Herron's 2019 novel "Joe Country," it primarily focuses on the events of his 2021 book "Slough House." With season seven already filmed, fans can also look ahead to Herron's "Bad Actors."
Stephen King's debut novel "Carrie" is set for a new adaptation on Prime Video on October 7. This miniseries, helmed by Mike Flanagan, known for his successful King adaptations like "Gerald's Game" and "Doctor Sleep," promises a fresh take on the classic tale of a telekinetic teenager. The cast includes Matthew Lillard and "Prey" star Amber Midthunder, exploring high school horrors in the social media age.
In theaters on October 16, "Whalefall" adapts Daniel Kraus' 2023 survival thriller. Directed by Brian Duffield, who co-wrote the film with Kraus, the story centers on a scuba diver, played by Austin Abrams, who finds himself swallowed by a sperm whale. The film will explore the diver's struggle for survival, drawing on lessons learned from his deceased father, portrayed by Josh Brolin.
Taika Waititi directs and co-writes "Klara and the Sun," arriving in theaters on October 23. This adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel features Jenna Ortega as Klara, an Artificial Friend seeking a family. Amy Adams plays Chrissie, the mother of Josie (Mia Tharia), who reluctantly brings Klara into their home, setting the stage for Klara's efforts to help the family despite the threat of obsolescence.
"Wildwood," from the stop-motion animation studio Laika, is also set for a theatrical release on October 23. Based on the 2011 illustrated novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, the film follows Prue (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) as she ventures into a magical forest to rescue her abducted baby brother. There, she becomes embroiled in a conflict led by the forest's mysterious ruler, Alexandra (Carey Mulligan).
The cinematic universe of "The Hunger Games" expands on November 26 with "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." This prequel novel adaptation is set 24 years before the original story and focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) during the 50th Hunger Games, where each district sends four tributes. The film boasts a cast including Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, and Jesse Plemons.
Disney Plus will release the third season of "Percy Jackson and The Olympians" on November 20. Adapting Rick Riordan's "The Titan's Curse," the season sees Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) confronting his destiny as part of the Great Prophecy while embarking on a quest to save Athena's daughter, Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), and protect Olympus from the titan Kronos.
Concluding the fall slate, "Dune: Part Three" arrives in theaters on December 18. Director Denis Villeneuve continues his adaptation of Frank Herbert's saga by tackling the sequel novel, "Dune Messiah." The film will present a darker vision of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he navigates his role as Emperor amid his allies' wavering faith and a new threat from Scytale (Robert Pattinson), who introduces a clone of Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa).