Category Archives: based on a book

Vince Vaugh in Bad Monkey

“Bad Monkey” Trailer

Bad Monkey with Vince Vaughn

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring favorite, Bad Monkey, the series makes its global debut on Apple TV+. In the series, Vince Vaughn portrays Andrew Yancy, a character who got bounced from the Miami Police Department and now works as a Keys health inspector.

The trailer is currently blocked. Hopefully, it will lift shortly.

But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in the police force. He must get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

Ralph Fiennes in Conclave

“Conclave” Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini

Edward Berger directed Conclave, written for the screen by Peter Straughan, based on Robert Harris’s bestseller.

The story follows one of the most secretive and ancient events: the selection of a new Pope.

John Lithgow stars as Cardinal Tremblay, a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.

Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, has taken over the secretive process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. The Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders gather from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls. Here, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the Church.

Isabella Rossellini stars as Sister Agnes a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.

The stellar cast includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz and Lucian Msamati.

Berger directed the highly acclaimed film All Quiet on the Western Front.

“Agatha All Along” Trailer

Disney will stream Agatha All Along, a streaming miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer, based on the Marvel character Agatha Harkness.

Kathryn Hahn plays Agatha, and the supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, and Patti LuPone.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Trailers, Images and Posters

Based on the beloved book and directed by Dallas Jenkins, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows a small town’s attempt to produce the 75th Annual Christmas Pageant.

The Herdman kids decide to be in the pageant even though they’ve never stepped into the community church. The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.

Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman, Mason Nelligan as Ralph Herdman, Matthew Lamb as Claude Herdman, Ewan Matthys Wood as Leroy Herdman, Essek Moore as Ollie Herdman and Kynlee Heiman as Gladys Herdman. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser.

But this Christmas, they’re taking over their local church Pageant—and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.

The best christmas pageant ever
Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman and Judy Greer as Grace. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser.

The cast includes Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Elizabeth Tabish, and Lauren Graham.

Jenkins created the show The Chosen.

“Presumed Innocent” Trailers and Images

Apple TV presumed innocent

Based on The New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow, the gripping series takes viewers on a journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of a crime.

The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.

“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” Announcement

Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct the film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Lawrence has helmed four previous films in the Hunger Games franchise—every film since Catching Fire.

The release dated in theaters in North America begins on November 20, 2026.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Let’s not forget the release of Suzanne Collins’s Sunrise on the Reaping one year before the film, March 18, 2025.

The Killer's Game

“The Killer’s Game” Trailers, Posters and Images

The Killer's Game
Killer's Game
The Killer's Game

Based on a book by Jay R. Bonansinga and directed by JJ Perry, The Killer’s Game is an action-comedy.

Pro hitman Joe Flood, played by Dave Bautista, received terrible news from his doctor. He has a terminal illness.

He takes matters into his own hands by taking a hit out on himself for a quick kill instead of the long-suffering pain of the terminal illness.

But when the very hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend, played by Sofia Boutella, he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.

Firebrand with Jude Law and Alicia Vikander

“Firebrand” Trailer, Clips and Images

Karim Aïnouz directed Firebrand, based on a screenplay by Jessica Ashworth and Henrietta Ashworth from the 2013 novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle. 

The story is about the royal relationship in blood-soaked Tudor England. Twice married, accomplished, and educated, Katherine Parr, played by Alicia Vikander. She reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII, played by Jude Law. 

Katherine’s decision to marry Henry carries immense personal risk, considering the fate of her predecessors, who were either divorced, beheaded, or dead. Her situation becomes even more perilous when Henry appoints her as regent, the nation’s ruler, during his absence for overseas battles, setting her on a treacherous path. 

Amidst Henry’s court’s political intrigue, Katherine’s sympathies for the radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom become a cause for suspicion. The courtiers, fearing the threat to their power, conspire against her and sow seeds of doubt about her loyalty to the increasingly ailing and paranoid king. 

Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew, played by Erin Doherty. Anne becomes one of the many people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. 

Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival. 

Other supporting cast include Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale and Sam Riley.

Aïnouz is an award-winning director and screenwriter. Firebrand is his first British/American film. 

Touch, a romantic drama

“Touch” Trailer, Poster, Clips and Images

Baltasar Komakur directs Touch, based on the International bestselling book by Olafur Johann Olafsson.

Egill Ólafsson stars as Kristofer in TOUCH, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Baltasar Breki Samper / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

The film follows a widower, played by Egil Olafsson, who embarks on a journey to find his first love, played by Yoko Narahashi before time runs out.

In flashbacks, we see their younger versions, played by Koki and Palmi Kormakur Baltasarsson.

Kōki stars as Young Miko and Pálmi Kormákur as Young Kristofer in director Baltasar Kormákur’s TOUCH, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Lilja Jonsdottir / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
The Crow remake

“The Crow” Trailer, Clips and Posters

The Crow

Bill Skarsgard plays the iconic role in The Crow, directed by Rupert Sanders. It’s a modern reimagining of James O’Barr’s original graphic novel.

Brutally murdered soulmates Eric Draven, played by Skarsgard, and Shelly Webster, played by FKA Twigs. The demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers. He traverses the worlds of the living and dead, putting the wrong things right.

The Crow
Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs in THE CROW.
Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate

Skarsgard shared his thoughts about portraying the iconic character: “I was a huge fan of the original film growing up as a kid and was so honored to take on the role of Eric Draven.” Skarsgard commented that working with Twigs was magical. “I can’t wait for the world to see the film.” He hopes the film “resonates with audiences as strongly as it did with those of us involved.” 

Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs in THE CROW.
Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate

Twig agrees, “I am so thrilled to be in The Crow alongside the talented Bill Skarsgard. The love Bill and I share on screen is effortless and indicative of the authenticity and ease that I dreamed of bringing to the role of Shelley.”

Bill Skarsgård in THE CROW.
Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate

She said Sanders is an extraordinary director. “I am so excited that the trailer is being unveiled and even more excited to have the world see the film this summer.” 

Sanders adds that Draven’s “story is about tragic loss, about dealing with the pain of everything that comes with losing someone you love. It is about the dark shadow of grief.”