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A few books that could be made into impressive films with the right stuff.Sometimes when we finish a book we think “This would make a great movie”. And you would be right, some of the greatest films come from great literary works.  And there is no doubt Hollywood scours the literary universe for ideas for marketable films.  This being said there a few books that one could say would make great films but just haven’t yet…And so we begin.

Okay so JJ Abrams has an interest in  the Dark Tower series but WTFuck!? This is the best thing Stephen King has ever done and the setting alone would make a beautiful film. Scenes like the Gunslinger laying waste to an entire possessed western town would live in the pantheon of great modern film scenes if done right.  If we are going to suffer from stuff like Book of Eli could some one please put the film making pedal to the literary adaptation metal please?  If the Harry Potter series is profitable it stands to reason that Sergio Leone western meets JRR Tolkien fantasy could be a successful film venture.  JJ if you are reading this, Josh Holloway would be an excellent choice for your gunslinger.

Now it may seem like beating a dead horse (no offense) to talk about ANOTHER Michael Chrichton adaptation but Prey is just too damn good.  Especially with the commentary of our society’s rapid technological advancement and it’s effects on morality.  A movie made from this source could be very Hitchcockian with Orwell thrown in.  In the hands of a Spielberg like director a film about nanobots run amok could prove to be claustrophobic, frightening, engaging, and tense. In short everything this wonderful book is.

To begin His Majesty’s Dragon needs some explanation.  An alternative history where Britain and France use their native dragons for air combat during Napoleon wars is the setting. The main character, Lawrence, is a British sea captain chosen to ride a rare Chinese dragon.  Now that you know that; first read the book if you haven’t, and second hope that someday they make a movie out of it.  To call the book as a sweeping epic with a story of true comradeship at it’s core undersell it.  But with the special effects a filmmaker has at his/her disposal His Majesty’s Dragon could make one very fun adventure film. And who doesn’t love a good dragon movie, what few there are.

Despite an ominous 2012 release date for Jennifer Government on IMDB, the collapse of Section 8 leaves this potential movie’s fate unsure. This is a shame because this story of several peoples journey in a world where corporations are stronger than presidents is an amazing one.  It would make the kind of movie where people would be edge seated until the credits roll and talking about all week.  Max Barry’s not so far fetched world this book is set in is as immersing as it is disturbing.  With the economy where is it a film based on this book would do well and bring a great word of mouth. Strike while the irons hot.

Lastly why oh why is there no movie being made of The Odyssey? With Troy as great as it was and with Clash of Titans on it’s way, seems like a no brainier.  The great thing about it is also the many different ways to approach making a film from this.  And in case your wondering, no the 1997 Armand Assante Odyssey doesn’t count.  Hell you could invite Sean Bean to come back to play Odysseus, no complaints here.  If there is going to be trend of making sword and sandal fantasy movies, please of please make the one who wrote the book (pun intended).  It’s a safe bet there is a decent community of people who would brave opening weekend crowds to check out Odysseus’s journey to film.