5 Best Fantasy Movie Adaptations That Are Nothing Like the Book

Many popular fantasy films, from classics like The Wizard of Oz to The Lord of the Rings, started as books. Some movies closely follow their original stories, but it’s often fascinating to see films that take the same characters and ideas in completely new directions. Here are five fantasy movies that are very different from the books they’re based on, but are still great to watch.

Every Spider-Man Villain In Spider-Noir

Okay, so Sony and Amazon have really delivered with this new Spider-Noir series. It’s got a fantastic collection of villains, but what really grabbed me was Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly. He’s playing an older, world-weary vigilante operating in 1930s New York, and the show expertly mixes superhero action with the feel of a classic gangster film. Plus, there’s a compelling mystery at its heart – it feels like a true detective story, fitting for that Spider-Man variant. Honestly, it’s a really clever blend of genres.

Nicolas Cage’s Indiana Jones Replacement Returns as a Hulu Streaming Hit

The movie National Treasure features Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, a treasure hunter and archaeologist on a quest for a legendary Freemason fortune. The clues to its location are hidden within the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, leading to a memorable scene where Gates famously announces his plan to steal the Declaration in the 2004 film.

Code Writers Beware: 2026 Deadline Looms or It’s Jail Time, Says Lummis

Lummis, a woman who’d likely trade her suit for a pair of overalls if it meant getting her hands dirty, pointed a finger at the real victims here: the code slingers. Those poor souls, hunched over their keyboards, could find themselves in hotter water than a tin roof in July if this bill doesn’t pass. “Publish code today, sleep in the clink tomorrow,” she might as well have said, her words heavy with the weight of a looming deadline.

Summer House Fans Are Drinking This Up

It’s been pretty funny to watch how quickly people have tried to profit from the drama surrounding Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s relationship. Remember when Kyle Cooke said “Carl’s a mess” and it went viral? His company, Loverboy, immediately started selling shirts with the quote. Then, Carl Radke and his ex, Lindsay Hubbard, filmed an Uber Eats ad poking fun at the moment – it became the company’s most popular ad ever. Tonight’s party is another example of this, officially called “Carl’s (Not) a Mess” and sponsored by a dairy milk company, which is tying the promotion to the idea that milk’s nutrients can help with mental wellbeing. Quite a connection!

Cannes Is Still Going for The White Lotus Season 4

Filming for season four had already started on the parts not filmed at Cannes, as Mike White couldn’t attend the Survivor 50 finale in person and had to join remotely. We also learned that enough filming or rehearsals had taken place for Helena Bonham Carter to decide the show wasn’t a good fit. Laura Dern replaced Carter, possibly as someone frustrated with losing her position as a leading actress. Carter left due to disagreements with White, who wanted a more energetic performance. Based on recent photos, it seems Long’s character will play a similar role to Eve Harrington in relation to Dern’s character, who is like Margo Channing.

Cynthia Erivo Starts the Journey of Reflecting on Wicked

Cynthia Erivo recently discussed an incident that happened during the Wicked: For Good press tour. While in Singapore, a man rushed towards Ariana Grande, and video footage showed Erivo physically intervening to push him away. Following the incident, some online commentators labeled Erivo as Grande’s “bodyguard,” and she shared her thoughts on that label. Erivo explained that the reaction highlights a deeper issue, stating, “I think we haven’t fully acknowledged how we tend to view Black women.” She anticipates some will dismiss her point, but firmly believes it’s relevant.