SEPTEMBERThe Wicker Man
Starring Nicolas Cage, Leelee Sobieski, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by Neil LaBute
Release date September 1 (Warner Bros.)
Novelization by Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer (Three Rivers, Sept. 26; paper)
This remake of the 1973 occult (and cult) thriller spurred a reissue of the original movie tie-in, then went on to debut in third place and net $11.7 million.
The Black Dahlia
Starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart
Directed by Brian De Palma
Release date September 15 (Universal)
Based on the book by James Ellroy (Warner, Sept.; mass market)
An adaptation of Ellroy's bestselling crime novel centering on the 1947 murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short and the manhunt by two L.A. cops for her killer.
Everyone's Hero
Voices of William H. Macy, Rob Reiner, Dana Reeve
Directed by Christopher Reeve, Daniel St. Pierre, Colin Brady
Release date September 15 (Fox Faith)
Tie-ins from Price Stern Sloan: (Aug. 17) Everyone's Hero: Keep on Swinging! by Tracey West (10,000 paper); Everyone's Hero: The Movie Storybook (175,000 paper); Everyone's Hero: Screwie's Adventure (75,000 paper)
The late Christopher Reeve was the original director of this computer-generated animated feature about a boy's quest to help the Yankees win the World Series.
All the King's Men
Starring Sean Penn, Jude Law, James Gandolfini
Directed by Steven Zaillian
Release date September 22 (Columbia)
Based on the book by Robert Penn Warren (Penguin, Oct. 26; 200,000 paper)
Penn Warren's 1946 Pulitzer Prize—winning novel and a 1949 Best Picture came before it.
The Last King of Scotland
Starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson
Directed by Devin MacDonald
Release date September 27 (Fox Searchlight)
Based on the book by Giles Foden (Vintage, Sept. 12; 20,000 trade paper)
A U.K. film adaptation of journalist Foden's first novel. Early Oscar buzz for Whitaker's portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
OCTOBERStrawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie
Release date October 1 (Fox Home Entertainment)
Tie-ins from Grosset & Dunlap: (Sept. 7) The Sweet Dreams Movie Storybookby Megan E. Bryant; Dream Big! by Sierra Harimann (activity book); Sticker Stories: A Berry Big Adventure(activity book)
Little Children
Starring Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Sadie Goldstein
Directed by Todd Field
Release date October 6 (New Line Cinema)
Based on the book by Tom Perrotta (St. Martin's/Griffin, Sept. 19; 250,000 trade paper); (St. Martin's, Oct. 3; mass market)
A child molester moves into a quiet suburban town in which an extramarital affair has unexpected consequences.Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
Starring Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor, Mickey Rourke
Directed by Geoffrey Sax
Release date October 13 (MGM, The Weinstein Co.)
Based on the book by Anthony Horowitz (Philomel)
Tie-ins from Penguin/Speak: (Aug. 17) Alex Rider: Stormbreaker—The Movie Tie-in Novel by Anthony Horowitz (250,000; paper); Alex Rider: Stormbreaker—The Official Script by Anthony Horowitz (75,000; paper); Alex Rider: Stormbreaker—Behind the Scenes (125,000; paper)
This movie, based on the first book in Horowitz's bestselling Alex Rider series, about a teenage MI6 agent, is a blockbuster in England.Infamous
Starring Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig
Directed by Doug McGrath
Release date October 13 (Warner Independent)
Based onCapote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career by George Plimpton (Anchor, stickered copies already in print)
Another year, another Capote movie.Flags of Our Fathers
Starring Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Release date October 20 (DreamWorks & Warner Bros.)
Based on the book by James Bradley with Ron Powers (Bantam, Sept.; 750,000
combined trade paper & mass market)
This bestseller, originally published in 2000, tells the story behind that unforgettable photo of six American soldiers raising a flag during the battle for Iwo Jima.Flicka
Starring Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello
Directed by Michael Mayer
Release date October 20 (Fox)
Based onMy Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara (HarperCollins, Jan. 2006; paper)
Tie-ins from HarperEntertainment: (Sept.) Flicka: The Movie Novel by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (50,000 paper); Flicka: Untamed Spirit by Judy Katschke (50,000 paper)
Other Tie-in: Flicka: A Friend for Katy by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, Catherine Hapka, Jennifer Frantz (HarperTrophy, Sept.; 50,000 paper)
A headstrong 16-year-old girl seeks solace from her father's high expectations in a wild mustang.Marie Antoinette
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis
Directed by Sofia Coppola
Release date October 20 (Columbia/Sony)
Based onMarie-Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser (Anchor, Sept. 12; 75,000 trade paper); Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund (Morrow, Oct.; 100,000 hardcover); Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution (Holt, Sept. 19; 50,000 hardcover); Moi & Marie Antoinette by Lynn Cullen, illus. by Amy Young (Bloomsbury, Sept. 19; 20,000 hardcover); The Private Life of Marie Antoinette by Madame Campan (1500 Books, Oct.; 12,500 paper); The Private Realm of Marie Antoinette by Marie-France Boyer (Thames & Hudson, Sept.; 10,000 paper)
Coppola reunites with The Virgin Suicides star Dunst for this period drama loosely based on Fraser's book. Off to a bad start with a booing at the Cannes premiere.The Prestige
Starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Release date October 20 (Touchstone)
Based on the book by Christopher Priest (Tor, Oct. 3; trade and mass market)
Director Nolan reunites with actors Bale and Caine (Batman Begins) to bring Priest's 1995 novel about two rival 19th-century stage magicians to life. Not to be confused with this year's The Illusionist or Scoop.Running with Scissors
Starring Annette Bening, Alec Baldwin, Evan Rachel Wood
Directed by Ryan Murphy
Release date October 20 (TriStar)
Based on the book by Augusten Burroughs (Picador, Sept. 5; 250,000 paper); (St. Martin's, Sept. 5; hardcover and mass market)
Burroughs's semiautobiographical account of being raised by his mother's therapist gets the Hollywood treatment. Co-producer Gwyneth Paltrow costars as Burroughs's sister.
Flushed Away
Voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen
Directed by David Bowers, Sam Fell
Release date November 3 (DreamWorks & Aardman)
Tie-ins from Scholastic: (Nov., paper) Flushed Away Movie Storybook; Flushed Away Movie Novel; Flushed Away with Trading Cards; Flushed Away Reader; Flushed Away Color & Activity with Stickers; Flushed Away Color & Activity with Paintbox
Other Tie-ins: Flushed Away Mad Libs by Roger Price and Leonard Stern (Price Stern Sloan, Oct. 5; paper, activity); Flushed Away: The Essential Guide (DK, Oct. 1; hardcover)
Computer-animated feature: two hamsters, a couple of rats and a toilet.Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus
Starring Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey Jr., Ty Burrell
Directed by Steven Shainberg
Release date November 10, limited (MGM)
Based onDiane Arbus: A Biography by Patricia Bosworth (Norton, Sept. 25; trade paper)
Newlywed Kidman stars in Arbus biopic set in 1950s New York. Talk of Oscar potential sweetens honeymoon.A Good Year
Starring Russell Crowe, Mitchell Mullen, Albert Finney
Directed by Ridley Scott
Release date November 10 (Fox)
Based onthe book by Peter Mayle (Vintage, Oct. 3; 125,000 trade paper)
Crowe reunites with Gladiator director Scott in this tale of the boutique wine trade in Provence.Candy
Starring Heath Ledger, Abby Cornish, Geoffrey Rush
Directed by Neil Armfield
Release date November 17 (THINKFilm)
Based onCandy: A Novel of Love and Addiction by Luke Davies (Ballantine, Oct. 17; trade paper)
Adapted for the screen by Davies and Australian stage director Armfield, this movie examines the double-whammy addictions of love and drugs.Casino Royale
Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench
Directed by Martin Campbell
Release date November 17 (MGM)
Based onthe book by Ian Fleming (Penguin, Nov.; 200,000 paper); James Bond in the 21st Century: Why We Still Need 007 edited by Glenn Yeffeth (BenBella Smart Pop, Sept. 1; 10,000 trade paper); Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale by Greg Williams (DK, Nov. 15; hardcover)
A more serious affair than the 1967 spoof starring David Niven. Also, better cheekbones.Fast Food Nation
Starring Greg Kinnear, Avril Lavigne, Ethan Hawke
Directed by Richard Linklater
Release date November 17, limited (Fox Searchlight)
Based on the book by Eric Schlosser (Harper Perennial, Oct. 17; 25,000 paper)
An adaptation of Schlosser's hard-hitting book on the fast-food industry, with Kinnear as a marketing exec on a mission: to get at the root of his fast-food chain's contaminated burger patties.Happy Feet
Voices of Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman
Directed by George Miller
Release date November 17 (Warner Bros.)
Tie-ins from Price Stern Sloan: (Oct. 5) The Movie Storybook (paper, fiction); Meet the Adelies (paper); Mumble's Journey (paper, fiction); Chillin' with Mumble (paper, nonfiction); Gone Fishin' (paper, activity); Find Your Heartsong! (coloring & activity); Happy Feet Mad Libs (paper, activity); Playtime for Baby Mumble (board book); Friends Forever (paper, fiction)
Other Tie-in: Happy Feet: The Essential Guide (DK, Oct. 1; hardcover)
An animated comedy adventure about a penguin who can't sing a heart song to attract a mate but is unusually fast on his feet.
DECEMBERThe Good German
Starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Beau Bridges
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Release date December 8, limited; wider release: December 25, January 19 (Warner Bros.)
Based on the book by Joseph Kanon (St. Martin's, Oct. 31, mass market; Picador, Oct. 31, 75,000 trade paper)
A murder mystery filmed in b&w, set in postwar Berlin.Perfume
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Ben Winshaw, Alan Rickman
Directed by Tom Tywker
Release date December 8 (DreamWorks)
Based on the book by Patrick Suskind (Vintage, Nov. 7; 125,000 trade paper)
The gothic novel that inspired this movie, about one man's pursuit of the perfect perfume, has sold more than 12 million copies internationally since its 1985 publication.Eragon
Starring Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Edward Speleers
Directed by Stefen Fangmeier
Release date December 15 (Fox)
Based on the book by Christopher Paolini (Knopf Books for Young Readers; one million trade paper); Mythic Vision: The Making of the Movie Eragon by Mark Cotta Vaz (Knopf Books for Young Readers, Oct. 24; trade paper); (Laurel-Leaf, Oct. 24; 650,000 mass market); The Ultimate Dragon Guide: The Hidden Facts Behind the World of Alagaesia by Lois Gresh (St. Martin's/Griffin, Oct. 31; 40,000 paper)
Based on the mega-bestseller about a 15-year-old farm boy who realizes his destiny as a Dragon Rider.The Painted Veil
Starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber
Directed by John Curran
Release date December 15 (Warner Independent)
Based on the book by W. Somerset Maugham (Vintage, Nov. 7; 35,000 paper)
A remake of the 1934 Greta Garbo film, inspired in turn by Maugham's masterpiece novel.The Pursuit of Happyness
Starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Release Date December 15 (Sony)
Based on the book by Chris Gardner (Amistad, Oct. 24; 150,000 trade paper)
Gardner went from homeless single father to cutthroat Wall Street honcho; everyone loves a success story, and Smith is likable enough that audiences won't begrudge him his good fortune.Charlotte's Web
Starring Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey
Directed by Gary Winick
Release date December 20 (Paramount)
Based on the book by E.B. White (HarperCollins, 1952)
Tie-ins from HarperEntertainment: (Nov.) Movie Tie-in Edition (hardcover, digest paper, rack paper, Spanish edition); Movie Tie-in Box Set(paper & hardcover); The Movie Storybook(Nov; paper-over-board); Wilbur Finds a Friend (paper, hardcover); Wilbur's Prize (paper, picture book); New in the Barn (8x8 paper); The Perfect Word (picture book); Coloring and Activity Book 3-in-1; Coloring and Activity Book and Crayons; Coloring Activity Book and Stamps; Coloring Activity Book and Stickers; The Reusable Sticker Book; Paint Book
Other Tie-in:Charlotte's Web: The Essential Guide by Amanda Li (DK, Nov.; hardcover)
Who else but Dakota Fanning as Fern the farm girl? A live-action re-envisioning of White's classic.Night at the Museum
Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson
Directed by Shawn Levy
Release date December 22 (Fox)
Based on the book by Milan Trenc (Barron's, Nov.; 150,000 paper); Night at the Museum: A Junior Novelization by Leslie Goldman (Barron's, Nov. 21; 400,000 paper)
Fantastical comedy inspired by Trenc's 1993 picture book. On his first night on the job, a Museum of Natural History guard discovers unexpected company.Notes on a Scandal
Starring Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Alice Bird
Directed by Richard Eyre
Release date December 22, limited (Fox Searchlight)
Based onNotes on a Scandal: What Was She Thinking? by Zoë Heller (Picador, Nov. 14; 75,000 paper)
Heller's novel, which chronicles the friendship between two schoolteachers, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.Rocky Balboa
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Release date December 22 (MGM)
Tie-in: Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope, and Happiness at America's Most Famous Steps by Michael Vitez, photos by Tom Gralish (Paul Dry Books, Nov. 1; 20,000 trade paper)
The book ties into the 30th anniversary of the first Rocky film and show fans from all over the world who have come to run the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.Arthur and the Minimoys
Voices of David Bowie, Madonna, Snoop Dogg
Directed by Luc Besson
Release date December 25 (The Weinstein Co.)
Tie-in: Arthur and the Invisibles Movie Tie-in Edition by Luc Besson (HarperEntertainment, Dec.; 50,000 paper)
A fantasy adventure from that odd Frenchman who gave us The Fifth Element and The Messenger.The Children of Men
Starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Release date December 25 (Universal)
Based on the book by P.D. James (Vintage, Nov. 7; trade paper)
It's 2027 London and photogenic Owen, as Earth's last hope, romances amid violence and warring nationalistic sects. Great initial reviews in Variety and Hollywood Reporter.Miss Potter
Starring Reneé Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson
Directed by Chris Noonan
Release date December 29, limited (MGM, The Weinstein Co.)
Tie-ins from Frederick Warne: (Dec. 28) The Making of Miss Potter (paper); Miss Potter: The Novel(paper); The Tale of Peter Rabbit Commemorative Movie Edition (hardcover); Beatrix Potter Favorite Tales: The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck (Read Along book & CD)
Other Tie-in: The True Story of Peter Rabbit: How a Letter Became a Children's Classic (Puffin, Dec. 28; paper)
This biopic of children's author Beatrix Potter, Noonan's first film since the 1995 Babe, combines stories from Potter's life with animated sequences from her stories.
