Compiled by Annabel
Top of my list are not one, but two films starring Jacob Elordi, who hit the big time with Saltburn. I didn’t realise he’s Australian, not that that matters.
Coming to Netflix in early November (and select screens in mid-October) is Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein. Elordi will play the monster, with Oscar Isaac as his creator. Mia Goth plays the Dr’s wife, Elizabeth; Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance and David Bradley support. The trailer looks superb, loaded with Gothic horror tones as well as being tonally dark, you’ll need to turn your room lights down – i.e. typical Del Toro. Do we need another Frankenstein movie? Probably, the Branagh/De Niro combo only made no. 17 in The Guardian’s top 20 Frankenstein movies (Mel Brooks’ hilarious Young Frankenstein was no. 3). I’ll certainly watch this one, given that Del Toro is at the helm.
In cinemas in Feb 2026, our second dose of Elordi is in Wuthering Heights in Emerald Fennell’s (Saltburn) loose adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel for Warner Bros. We get not one, but two Australians in the lead roles, for Cathy to Elordi’s Heathcliff is Margot Robbie. The adaptation hasn’t been without controversy, with Heathcliff’s casting considered by some as whitewashing, given the character’s racial ambiguity in the novel.
When I read that Charlie XCX has contributed original songs, I knew that I wouldn’t be bothered to see this one – it seems each generation needs its own version.
Although Colin Firth will forever hold a place in my heart as Mr. Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 series of Pride & Prejudice, a place that even Matthew Macfadyen couldn’t fill in the later 2005 film, as a Slow Horses superfan, I can’t help but hope that Jack Lowden may be able to supplant him in the upcoming Netflix miniseries, which started filming in July and should hit our screens next year – but no date yet.
The new series, adapted by Dolly Alderton, claims it will stay faithful to the book, and has some stellar casting. Emma Corrin (The Crown) is Elizabeth Bennet, and Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell are her parents. It’ll be fascinating to see how Colman plays Mrs. Bennet versus Alison Steadman and Brenda Blethyn before her. Fiona Shaw will be Lady Catherine de Burgh. Daryl McCorrmack will be the lovable Bingley. Welshman Euros Lyn (Dr Who & Heartstopper) directs. Fingers crossed.
Reaching screens next July, Christopher Nolan’s new film, The Odyssey, will be his most expensive yet, and has been shot entirely on 70mm. Starring a ripped Matt Damon as the King of Ithaca voyaging home after the Trojan Wars to his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland (Telemachus, his son), Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o and Robert Pattison are the top-listed support, with Charlize Theron as Circe.
I’m not sure about this, having lined up The Return – Uberto Pasolini’s well-reviewed 2024 equivalent starring an equally ripped but more aged Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche to watch on Prime. Let’s wait for the Nolan reviews.
And finally in this selection of adaptations of classics, coming to US big screens on November 26, and streaming on Netflix on Christmas Day is Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia origin story, The Magician’s Nephew. Daniel Craig will play the Professor, Carey Mulligan is Mabel Kirke and newcomer David McKenna is her son Digory (left). Emma Mackey is the White Witch, Jadis. The big surprise though, is that Meryl Streep is rumored to be the voice of Aslan. I don’t know if I could cope with a fully gender-swapped lion though, having grown up with Aslan’s mane. But I shall certainly be watching over turkey sandwiches!
Do share your thoughts on these adaptations. Can the new ones live up to your favourites?
Why do they keep re-adapting these classic novels?
I really wish filmmakers/TV producers would branch out a bit more in terms of which books get adapted. Austen has been truly done to death, and Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights haven’t been exactly neglected, either . . .
I agree totally. But I will watch most of them again I expect!
“Why do they keep re-adapting these classic novels?” An inflated sense of worth on the part of the director? A desire by producers to ensure an excessive return on their buck? It’s rarely because (a) previous adaptations have been found wanting, or (b) filmmakers had something genuinely new and worthwhile to add to the original text. (And yes, Branagh’s Frankenstein offering was hugely disappointing.)
Lordy, personally I wish they’d stop adapting the same titles over and over again. I don’t often watch adaptations of books I love, but if I did I would want to see different books done – it’s simply pointless to keep repeating. And the Agatha Christies come to mind as I did watch and love both the Suchet and Joan Hickson versions. Branagh’s Poirot looks so insane, and I see no need to do them again because as far as I’m concerned, Suchet and Hickson nailed it and nobody else need bother!!
I love Ken B – but his Poirots are useless – it’s the next generation thing I think. I still have a soft spot for Albert Finney’s P in the first Orient Express movie though. Him and Suchet nail the character best.
So agree with all the comments. For me Pan’s Labyrinth was Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece and nothing he has done since comes close.
A brilliant film. Loved The Shape of Water though.
New audiences, and new film stars is why they keep adapting old movies. But some, thankfully, never get redone. Others get redone HORRIBLY. No matter. I have the DVD of the 1995 of P&P so they won’t ever have to think about me.
I’m with you on P&P – the best!