June 29 (UPI) — Lucky, The Odyssey, The Shards and other books are being adapted for film and television this summer.
New adaptations will open in theaters and debut on streaming services in July and August.
Some big-name stars are attached to movies and TV series based on books. Here’s a rundown:
‘Lucky’
The Marissa Stapley novel is a crime thriller following Lucky, a lifelong con artist on the run after a heist gone wrong.
The book is being adapted by Jonathan Tropper (Your Friends & Neighbors) as an Apple TV series starring Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, Furiosa) as the title character.
“Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life — and a way out,” an official synopsis of the show reads.
Timothy Olyphant also stars as Lucky’s father John Armstrong, with Annette Bening as mob leader Priscilla Matheson and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as FBI agent Billie Rand.
Lucky will have a two-episode premiere July 15.
‘The Odyssey’
The epic poem by the ancient Greek author Homer tells the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca who encounters gods and monsters on his long journey home after the Trojan War.
Universal Pictures is adapting the high school English class staple as a new film written and directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar).
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope and Tom Holland as his son Telemachus.
Other cast members include Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calpyso and Benny Safdie as Agamemnon.
The Odyssey opens in theaters July 17.
‘The Shards’
The Bret Easton Ellis novel takes inspiration from the author’s real-life experiences at an elite Los Angeles prep school. The main character is a fictionalized version of the American Psycho author, who becomes obsessed with the idea that a new student is a serial killer.
FX is adapting the book as a teen drama series starring Homer Gere (the son of actor Richard Gere), Graham Campbell, Hayes Warner, Wes Bentley and Kaia Gerber (the daughter of model Cindy Crawford).
“Set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the series follows a group of high school seniors at an elite prep school as they navigate identity, sex, jealousy, obsession and the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence,” an official synopsis reads.
The Shards will premiere Aug. 5 on FX and also stream on Hulu.
‘The Magic Faraway Tree’
The Enid Blyton fantasy book series follows three children who discover a magical tree near their new home that transports them to different fantastical realms.
The series is being adapted as a new film starring Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Phoenix Laroche and Billie Gadsdon as the three children, Beth, Joe and Fran, with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy as their parents, Tim and Polly.
The cast also includes Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders and Rebecca Ferguson.
The Magic Faraway Tree opens in U.S. theaters Aug. 21.
‘The Dog Stars’
The Peter Heller novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been ravaged by a flu virus. The story follows Hig, a pilot surviving the new landscape with his beloved dog.
20th Century Studios is adapting the book as a new film directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator). Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong and Guy Pearce also star.
The Dog Stars opens in theaters Aug. 28.
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