Latest Acquisitions & Adaptations
By Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Short Books acquires The Korean Book of Happiness
Short Books have acquired rights to, The Korean Book of Happiness, from author Barbara Zitwer. As well as being an author, Zitwer has established the Barbara J. Zitwer agency and describes the book as “part memoir, part travel, part Inspiration.” She recalls “travelling all over the country and learned many customs and philosophy of the way Koreans think and live,” sharing that she is “excited to share what she has learned about Korea and why she has fallen in love with the country, writers and people.” (The Bookseller) UK and Commonwealth rights were bought by Aurea Carpenter, the co-founder of Short Books. The book will be published in March 2023.
The Railway Children Return official tie-in acquired by HarperCollins
HarperCollins has made a deal with StudioCanal for a movie tie-in book for their summer film, The Railway Children Return, written by Linda Chapman. This is not the first time StudioCanal and HarperCollins Children’s Books have partnered on a project. They previously worked together for tie-ins for The Secret Garden and the Paddington films. The Railway Children Return movie will be released in July 2022 and will feature the likes of Sheridan Smith, Jenny Agutter and Tom Courtenay. It shall expand Edith Nesbit’s world of The Railway Children and focus on an American soldier who is injured. HarperCollins Children’s Books have yet to release the date of the movie tie-in. The world rights were acquired by Juliet Matthews from Massimo Moretti.
From Book to Screen
What to watch?
Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between on Netflix
Based on the novel of the same name by Jennifer E Smith, Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between will be releasing a film version on Netflix. Michael Lewen is set to direct the coming of age rom-com marking his debut as a feature film director. It will star Jordan Fisher, Talia Ryder, Ayo Edebiri and Nico Hiraga as the main leading cast. The story will follow Claire (Ryder) and Aidan (Fisher) as they figure out their relationship before they leave for college, testing their memories and love which help decide their present and future together. The film is expected to release summer this year.
The Man Who Fell To Earth is coming to Showtime
This month, The Man Who Fell To Earth, shall return to screens in a ten-episode TV series. It features the talents of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Naomi Harris, Jimmi Simpson, Kate Mulgrew and Bill Nighy. The series is based on the science-fiction book of the same name written by Walter Tevis in 1963. It follows an alien (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a critical point in the planet’s lifespan. It’s not the first time this book has been adapted for the screen, in 1976 it was made into a film starring David Bowie as Thomas Jerome Newton. The TV series plays homage to Bowie in the naming of its episodes. You can watch The Man Who Fell To Earth on 24 April 2022 on Showtime or Paramount+.
In the Works
The QB Bad Boy and Me Announced
Tay Marley’s The QB Bad Boy and Me, is to get a feature film adaptation which was published in 2019 on Wattpad Books. Creator Plus, a digital film platform and Wattpad Webtoon Studios are collaborating to produce the film with no information on who will direct the film. Tik Tok Star Noah Beck has been cast for the male leading role marking his debut as an actor with no other information on casting so far. The story will follow Dallas Brown, a high school cheerleader who is determined to gain a dance scholarship and Drayton, a footballer (Beck), where they form a romantic relationship. There is currently no release date, so keep an eye out for more information.
You Brought Me The Ocean TV series in the works for HBO Max
The DC Comic, You Brought Me The Ocean, shall be adapted into a TV series for HBO Max. Charlize Theron has been attached to the project as an executive producer. The TV series shall be based on the YA graphic novel under the same name by Alex Sanchez and Jul Maroh, which was originally published in 2020 by DC Comics. It revolves around the protagonist Jake Hyde, a non-swimmer, who relocates to the coast for college. There he meets the captain of the swimming team, Kenny Liu, and starts to question his sexuality, his identity and his superpowers. The studio set for the project is Warner Bros. Television. There is no word as of yet for when this TV series will be released, but we are incredibly excited for this superhero dramedy.