Read It Before You See It: 5 Upcoming Literary Adaptations

Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan bring the 1920s to life in Baz Luhrmann's adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, coming to theaters this winter.
(image via Entertainment Weekly)

Hollywood loves a good literary adaptation. The box office success of The Hunger Games and Twilight is proof. While there is an incredibly quick turnaround for adaptations these days, there are a few upcoming films which are based on more classic titles, most of which have already been adapted in one form or another. If you're the type of moviegoer who prefers to have read the source material before seeing the film, you still have time to catch up on these five titles before they hit the big screen.

The poster for The Perks of Being a Wallflower
refers to the cover of the book through the bright
green background.
(image via USA Today)

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (September 20, 2012): When Stephen Chbosky's tale of teenage angst was released, readers compared it to J.D. Salinger's masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye. Whether or not you agree with such a comparison, there's no denying that a whole new generation of teens will appreciate this relatable high school story. Fans of the book will be relieved to learn that Chbosky himself wrote and directed the film, which will star Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Paul Rudd.

2. Anna Karenina (November 9, 2012): In this adaptation, Keira Knightley plays the classic Leo Tolstoy heroine, a wealthy woman who has an affair with a handsome count, played by Aaron Johnson. Knightley, who is famous for her stunning work in period pieces like Pride and Prejudice and The Duchess, is sure to give a memorable performance.

3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14, 2012): After Peter Jackson's epic adaptations of the Lord of the Rings books were released, fans began hoping for an adaptation of the series' prequel, The Hobbit. After some complications concerning who would direct the film, J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved story is coming to theaters, with Jackson at the helm and plenty of Lord of the Rings actors returning to the cast. Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and more join new cast members like Martin Freeman and Evangeline Lilly in this highly anticipated film.

4. The Great Gatsby (December 25, 2012): This classic 20th-century novel has been brought to the screen before, most famously in 1974, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in the lead roles. This year, Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann is bringing his colorful, dramatic touch to F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age tale. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan as the star-crossed lovers Gatsby and Daisy. The most interesting aspect of this adaptation? It will be in 3D.

5. Romeo and Juliet (2013): You've probably read William Shakespeare's famous tragedy in an English class. Even if you haven't, you probably know the story. Many directors have adapted the play for the big screen, including The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann, who set it in contemporary California but retained the original dialogue. This adaptation appears to be going the more traditional route, and it will star Douglas Booth and True Grit actress Hailee Steinfeld as the title lovers. Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) will star as Tybalt.

There's still plenty of time to crack open a copy of one of these literary works before they arrive in theaters.

Jill O'Rourke is an Entertainment Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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