It’s tough to watch the trailer for Beautiful Creatures and not think of a certain franchise featuring sparkly vampires or even a young boy wizard. But we're not going to use the T-word as we discuss this new book adaptation that Warners hopes will capture the hearts and minds of both series’ audiences while introducing them to a whole new story. Take a look at the trailer above (a shiny HD version is available at Apple).
Beautiful Creatures, taken from the first book in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's trilogy, does a gender switch from Meyer's tomes, with the main female character (Alice Englert’s Lena Duchannes) having the power this time around.
It’s the story of how small-town South Carolina high schooler Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich) becomes infatuated with Lena, who arrives at his sleepy school and shakes things up with her magic powers.
But things aren’t all rosy for the two potential lovebirds: Lena is counting down the days to when her powers will be harnessed by either the light side (represented by her uncle Macon, played by Jeremy Irons) or the dark (embodied here by Emmy Rossum as her slinky, dangerous cousin Ridley).
The staunchly traditional, religious town isn’t too happy with her arriving either, with Mrs Lincoln (Emma Thompson) particularly ready to stir up trouble for Lena and co.
The tale in the book is a decent one, with a few new touches. And it remains to be seen how much translates to the screen via writer-director Richard LaGravenese. Viola Davis’ role of Amma, in particular, has been combined from a couple of characters.
We’ll find out on February 13 when the movie arrives. Some new pics are also online, courtesy of Russian site Kino Gallery, and can be seen below.