A New Cast of Kids’ Titles Makes the Hollywood Scene
This story originally appeared in Children's Bookshelf on Apr. 27, 2006 Sign up now!
by Shannon Maughan, Children's Bookshelf -- Publishers Weekly, 4/27/2006
Children's books have a long and, well, storied, history in Hollywood, as content grist for the movie-making mill. And since nothing fuels success like some big hits, producers and studios routinely come a-knockin' on the doors of literary agents and publishers scouting out ideas to put on the big screen.
When the kids' books-Hollywood partnership is good, it's very, very good (witness late 2005 films Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which has grossed more than $290 million in the U.S.; and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, which has grossed more than $291 million in the U.S.). And even when a movie-book partnership is not so good (resulting in a box-office underperformer), the original book properties still come out ahead, having received additional publicity and maybe some revenue from tie-ins and merchandising.
This year looks to be another active one for children's books at the cineplex. We've already seen Curious George and Aquamarine, and the months ahead promise a full slate. First up is Hoot, which opens May 5.
Random House Children’s Books and Walden Media have been birds of a feather, flocking together to promote the book and the flick. RHCB (which published a paperback movie tie-in edition of the novel and shipped more than a 1000 displays) and Walden co-sponsored early screenings of the film and an online contest whereby a school librarian could win an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the movie premiere in Los Angeles. In addition, Walden Media and distributor New Line Cinema also held a series of free screenings for teachers, librarians, after-school groups and National Wildlife Foundation.
One of those events was a live nationwide simulcast that featured a real-time Q&A with the film’s stars Jimmy Buffett, Brie Larson and Cody Linely, as well as director/writer Wil Shriner, author Carl Hiaasen and producer Frank Marshall. Buffett closed out the proceedings with a special performance.
As part of Walden Media’s national educational campaign behind the movie, they teamed with the National Wildlife Federation to offer hands-on student volunteer programs across the country to reinforce a respect for nature. Projects ranged from digging new owl habitats and releasing rescued owls to building butterfly gardens and reseeding parks.
Author Carl Hiaasen is getting the word out about the book and movie, too, via a variety of interviews. Media highlights include features in Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. magazines, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and Family Circle; and interviews on NPR’s Weekend Edition, PBS’s The Tavis Smiley Show, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
The following (not exhaustive) list offers a heads-up on major family films inspired by children's books that are scheduled to open this year. Of course, many other properties are in the works as well (Where the Wild Things Are, Nancy Drew, the His Dark Materials trilogy, the Spiderwick Chronicles, The Tale of Despereaux, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, The B.F.G.)—so watch this space!May 2006
May 5: Hoot,based on Carl Hiaasen's novel (Random House); produced by Walden Media and Kennedy/Marshall Company, distributed by New Line Cinema
May 19: Over the Hedge, animated, with voices by Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling; based on the comic by Michael Fry; Paramount Pictures
August 2006
August 4: The Ant Bully, animated, with voices by Paul Giamatti, Nicolas Cage, Julia Roberts; based on the picture book by John Nickle; dist. by Warner Bros.
August 25: How to Eat Fried Worms, starring Tom Cavanagh; based on the 1973 novel by Thomas Rockwell; dist. by New Line Cinema
September 2006
September 1: Stormbreaker, starring Alex Pettyfer, Mickey Rourke, Ewan McGregor; Anthony Horowitz wrote the screenplay adapting the first of his novels about reluctant MI6 spy Alex Rider; dist. by MGM.
October 2006
October 20: Flicka, starring Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello; based on the novel by Mary O'Hara; dist. by 20th Century Fox.
December 2006
December 15: Eragon, starring Edward Speleers, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Djimon Hounsou; based on the fantasy novel by Christopher Paolini; dist. by Fox 2000 Pictures
December 22: Charlotte's Web, live-action, starring Dakota Fanning as Fern, with animal voices (a la Babe) by Julia Roberts (Charlotte), Steve Buscemi (Templeton), Robert Redford (Ike the horse) Oprah Winfrey (Gussy the goose), Kathy Bates (Bitsy the cow); dist. by Paramount Pictures.
December 22: Night at the Museum, starring Ben Stiller, based on the children's book by Milan Trenc, dist. by 20th Century Fox.
December 25: Arthur and the Minimoys, starring Mia Farrow, Freddie Highmore; voices of David Bowie, Madonna, Snoop Dogg; Luc Besson directs and adapts the first children's book he published, for film; dist. by The Weinstein Company.
