This year the Academy Awards Nominations are led by two movies based on books: ‘The Power of the Dog’ (12) and ‘Dune’ (10).


Spider-Man: No Way Home. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1963 comic book, The Amazing Spider-Man
VS3
The Amazing Spider-Man
Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, 1963
movie vs comic book
Jon Watts, 2021

After Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man was exposed by Mysterio at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, Parker’s life and reputation is turned upside down. He asks Dr. Stephen Strange to help restore his secret identity with magic. However, when Strange does so, it breaks open the multiverse, and supervillains from alternate realities arrive to hunt Parker down.


No Time to Die. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1953 book, Casino Royale
VS3
Casino Royale
Ian Fleming, 1953
movie vs book
Cary Joji Fukunaga, 2021

Five years after the capture of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, James Bond has left active service. He is approached by his friend and CIA officer Felix Leiter, who enlists his help in the search for Valdo Obruchev, a missing scientist. When it becomes apparent that Obruchev has been abducted, Bond must confront a villain whose schemes could see the death of millions.


Cruella. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1956 book, The 101 Dalmatians
VS3
The 101 Dalmatians
Dodie Smith, 1956
movie vs book
Craig Gillespie, 2021

In 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.


The Lost Daughter. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 2006 book
VS3
The Lost Daughter
Elena Ferrante, 2006
movie vs book
Maggie Gyllenhaal, 2021

A woman, while on a summer holiday, finds herself becoming obsessed with another woman and her daughter, prompting memories of her own early motherhood to come back and unravel her.


The Tragedy of Macbeth. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1606 book, Macbeth
VS3
Macbeth
William Shakespeare, 1606
movie vs book
Joel Coen, 2021

A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.


West Side Story. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1595 book, Romeo and Juliet
VS3
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare, 1595
movie vs book
Steven Spielberg, 2021

Teenagers Tony and Maria, despite having affiliations with rival street gangs, fall in love in 1950s New York City. An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.


Cyrano. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1897 book, Cyrano de Bergerac
VS3
Cyrano de Bergerac
Edmond Rostand, 1897
movie vs book
Joe Wright, 2021

A man ahead of his time, Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles whether with ferocious wordplay at a verbal joust or with brilliant swordplay in a duel. But, convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne, Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her—and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian.


The Power of the Dog. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1967 book
VS3
The Power of the Dog
Thomas Savage, 1967
movie vs book
Jane Campion, 2021

The year is 1925. The Burbank brothers are wealthy ranchers in Montana. At the Red Mill restaurant on their way to market, the brothers meet Rose, the widowed proprietress, and her impressionable son Peter. Phil, one of the brothers, will end up launching a campaign against the young widow when she unexpectedly marries his brother and comes to live on the ranch.


Drive My Car. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 2014 book
VS3
Drive My Car
Haruki Murakami, 2014
movie vs book
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, 2021

Adapted from a short story in Murakami Haruki’s Men Without Women, a director’s wife was a playwright, but she died two years ago. When the director is invited to direct a play at a festival in Hiroshima he finds his chauffeur to be a stoic woman. The two share many rides and as gradually communication is initiated secrets and confessions are exchanged.


House of Gucci. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 2000 book, The House of Gucci
VS3
The House of Gucci
Sara Gay Forden, 2000
movie vs book
Ridley Scott, 2021

The film is set in 1995 and depicts the events and aftermath of the murder of Maurizio Gucci, Italian businessman and head of the fashion house Gucci, by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, the film reveals what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.


Nightmare Alley. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1946 book
VS3
Nightmare Alley
William Lindsay Gresham, 1946
movie vs book
Guillermo del Toro, 2021

Bradley Cooper is Stanton ‘Stan’ Carlisle, an ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with Dr. Lilith Ritter, a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is. Remake of the 1947 film.


Dune. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1965 book
VS3
Dune
Frank Herbert, 1965
movie vs book
Denis Villeneuve, 2021

In the far future of humanity, Duke Leto Atreides accepts stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe, “the spice”, a drug which extends human life, provides superhuman levels of thought, and makes faster-than-light travel practical.

1 2

“With novels one has more control and more satisfaction. The best thing about filmmaking is the team work, and the worst thing about filmmaking is it’s a team.”

DAVID NICHOLLS (Writer and Screenwriter)