Ya Book To Tv Adaptations Are Great But Where S The Next Big Movie Franchise

Movies and TV shows are extensions of our wildest imaginations. Things that are not possible in our world can come to life on a screen. Therefore, the responsibility filmmakers have in creating these worlds is a tough fleet. The presence of book to movie adaptations is prevalent in film and television. More specifically, young adult (YA) stories have been told in ways that have taken pop culture by storm. From the past success of dystopian YA film franchises to modern TV romances, you cannot really escape the popularity of this genre of entertainment.

However, the film and TV industry is fluid. It is constantly changing and evolving, and maybe it is time for something new. We have been seeing the young adult genre in today’s TV market in projects like The Summer I Turned Pretty and the Heartstopper series. But, where are the movies? We know that the YA book-to-film genre works, so where are we going to find the next big movie franchise? Well, the answer might come from reinventing what worked in the past and telling more stories from POC. Let’s dive in.

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The Magic of a Book-to-Movie Adaptation

     Warner Bros.  

The book-to-movie adaptation genre is a double-edged sword if we have ever seen one. Popular books have captivated audiences. The book community online is massive, and the viral titles are the ones amassing the biggest cult followings. The decision to bring these stories to life on the big screen is a tall order. On one hand, we have the security that people will likely flock to theaters and streaming platforms to see the adaptation. On the other hand, it is not guaranteed that it will be well-received. However, if it works, you can automatically have the potential of greatness in the palm of your hand. Book-to-movie franchises like Harry Potter and even Percy Jackson were the bread and butter for an entire generation. So, if we want to look into the future of the next big film franchise, we need to examine the past.

Learning From the Past

     Summit Entertainment  

Typically, YA stories are told in a series. We have interconnected books and prorogued character arcs that drive fan dedication to new heights. Remember The Twilight Saga? Of course, you do — how could we possibly forget one of the most impactful vampire love stories out there? Harry Potter gave us eight movies of magic and wonder. Percy Jackson gave us THE Logan Lerman. The fan bases for a YA book-to-screen adaptation are there, and if movie-makers continue to get it right, as they have in past franchises, looking to the past might give us the best insight into the possibility of future franchises. At this point, it is obvious that the industry knows what works. Time to play to the obvious strengths.

Dystopian Back From the Dead

     Lionsgate  

We can go on and on about the success of the magic and creature genre of YA film adaptations. However, if we want to have a serious discussion about what has the potential to be the next big franchise, nothing holds a candle to the young adult dystopian genre. The release of the first Hunger Games film in 2012 acted as a trailblazer for the genre. The Hunger Games movie quadrilogy showed the story of a young Katniss Everdeen taking on the forces of an oppressive government and societal elites. After that, it was a storm. Audiences responded so well to the genre that it lit a fire. We got the Divergent series that follows Tris and Four as they try to dismantle the toxic faction system of their city as well as Maze Runner which showed a group of boys forced to survive in the middle of a seemingly endless fortress.

These films defined an entire generation of young adults, and the chokehold they had on the film industry is unforgettable. From fan art and fanfiction to cosplay and even launching the careers of some of the most known actors and actresses in the scene, you cannot compete with a good dystopian YA film franchise. In fact, with such a high rate of success for these films, bringing back the same formula could launch the next big franchise. However, making it new — and improving it — is key. To do that, filmmakers need to look at the stories about people of color.

The Power of POC Stories

     Marvel StudiosDisney  

In every major film franchise, diversity and inclusion should always be major factors. If bringing back the YA dystopian genre back from its hiatus brings in the next big YA book-to-film franchise, it is time to tell the stories of people of color. Even in just the book community, the push for more diversity in stories is rampant, and for good reason. In the entertainment industry, we see a constant struggle to have POC voices be told in authentic ways on screen. With the overwhelmingly positive response to groundbreaking films like Black Panther in the MCU as well as the jaw-dropping awards season for Everything Everywhere All at Once, per LA Times, telling these stories can greatly benefit franchisees and the industry as a whole. Therefore, for the YA book-to-movie adaptation, POC stories are the best move and will ultimately be the source of the next best film franchise.