Ever since HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR’S STONE hit bookshelves in 1997 (15 years ago? Holy shit!), young adult publishing has been the biggest money-maker for publishers. Once TWILIGHT hit stores, the YA genre had to have some sort of fantasy romance tilt to it. Cinematically, not many franchises have made it to the upper echelon except for THE HUNGER GAMES. But, studios will continue to adapt series for the big screen.
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES is aiming to be that next big franchise. It is based on a succesfull novel series, it has Hollywood stars, young unknown leads, and a supernatural storyline. No vampires here, but definitely witchcraft and wizardry.
Plot: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
What TWILIGHT did not have when it hit screens was Hollywood heavyweights, but the success of the franchise elevated Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner to superstars. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES will follow HARRY POTTER and THE HUNGER GAMES with a big cast: Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, and Emma Thompson. Directed by Richard LaGravanese (PS I LOVE YOU), BEAUTIFUL CREATURES looks at least better acted than TWILIGHT.
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES opens in theaters on February 13, 2013.