Word on the street is that the baby bible What to Expect When You’re Expecting is on its way to the big screen, with Lionsgate giving it the Love Actually treatment, ensuring success by including as many big stars as can stand each other. I am a huge romantic comedy lover myself, but I can’t quite understand the thought process on this one. Love Actually is a minor masterpiece. It was the first of its kind with a genuinely touching theme coming to us after a time of crisis. Of course it found success. I will also note that it is one of the few romantic comedies I can think of that men are equally fond of watching as their women counterparts. But sadly, Valentine’s Day, the 2010 take on the same idea, left much to be desired, and He’s Just Not That Into You, while entertaining, couldn’t capture our hearts in quite the same way. And What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a much more specific niche. Yet…I will probably see it anyway. I suppose this is the movie industry’s game- the movie doesn’t have to be that good, as long as the consumers realize that fact only after they have paid to see it. With a connection to such a successful book, their base of viewers is already guaranteed.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting is just one of many in a long trend of book-to-movie attempts. Word has is that The Hunger Games, the young adult series barely 2 years old, is on its way to a major motion picture, and Water for Elephants, the summer bestseller, is already deep into filming at this point. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has two complete movie series to its name with both the original Swedish version and the upcoming flashy American version (featuring Daniel Craig!).
Don’t get me wrong, I realize that books have always been popular films, but I do think the movie industry is becoming increasingly dependent on the publishing industry. It is now a given that any book with a plot and appearing on the New York Times Bestseller List could very well be the next blockbuster. The ever-growing, glamorous, and wealthy film industry has come to depend on the struggling publishing industry. Ironic.
Tags: He's Just Not That Into You, Love Actually, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Hunger Games, Valentine's Day, Water for Elephants, What to Expect When You're Expecting