Summer Movie Tie-ins
by Shannon Maughan -- Publishers Weekly, 7/1/2002
Publishers know that when a film inspired by a book becomes a box-office hit (or is very well-publicized), it can do wonders for sales of the print title, especially a tie-in edition. The same holds true for audiobooks. It's not too late to capitalize on the summer movie momentum by featuring these audiobooks that tie in to some of the season's most notable releases.
The Force is with Listening Library, which offers the audiobook tie-in to George Lucas's latest big-screen saga for 20th-Century Fox, Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones Junior Novelization, adapted by Patricia C. Wrede, read by Jonathan Davis. Also blasting into retail outlets are the first two unabridged titles in the Star Wars Jedi Quest series based on the popular books by Jude Watson: Star Wars: Jedi Quest #1: The Trail of the Jedi and Star Wars: Jedi Quest #2: The Way of the Apprentice both read by Jonathan Davis. For older Skywalker fans, Random House Audio has the tie-in Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, adapted by R.A. Salvatore, also read by Davis.
About a Boy by Nick Hornby, read by David Gale (Putnam Berkley Audio). Universal film stars Hugh Grant.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, read by a full cast (HighBridge Classics). The Miramax film stars Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon.
The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy, read by David Ogden Stiers (Simon & Schuster Audio). A Paramount film starring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman .
JUNEDivine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere, both by Rebecca Wells, read by Wells and Judith Ivey (HarperAudio). The Warner Bros. film stars Ashley Judd, Ellen Burstyn, Maggie Smith and Sandra Bullock.
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, read by Darren McGavin (Random House Audio). A Universal film starring Matt Damon and directed by Doug Liman (Go and Swingers).
The Minority Report and Other Stories (inspired the film Minority Report) by Philip K. Dick, read by Keir Dullea (Harper Audio). The DreamWorks film stars Tom Cruise and is directed by Steven Spielberg.
JULYThe Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans, read by the author (New Millennium Audio). A documentary of film producer Evans's life and career, from USA Films.
Stuart Little (inspired the movie Stuart Little 2) by E.B. White, read by Julie Harris (Listening Library). A Sony/Columbia Pictures live-action/computer animation film featuring Geena Davis and the voice of Michael J. Fox as Stuart.
AUGUSTBlood Work by Michael Connelly, read by Dick Hill (Brilliance Audio). The Warner Bros. movie stars Clint Eastwood (who also directs) and Angelica Houston.
