Reading the terrible stories told by Lemony Snicket can be a difficult task—how many tales of tragedy and woe can readers take? Now just imagine those same ghastly episodes on the big screen, with a Hollywood-sized Count Olaf looming over the terribly unfortunate Baudelaire orphans. Yikes! It's almost too sad to contemplate, too sorrowful to watch, too scary to endure. But we know you'll want to try!

Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events is set to debut in theaters on December 17, just in time for the season of holiday blockbusters. Produced by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks and directed by Brad Silberling (Casper, City of Angels), the film version of the wildly popular Lemony Snicket books has an extraordinary cast. Jude Law plays the narrator (Lemony Snicket, who becomes a character himself), Jim Carrey is the evil Count Olaf, and Meryl Streep is Aunt Josephine, one of the many relatives who briefly assume guardianship of the Baudelaire orphans after their parents are killed in a tragic house fire. Also appearing are Luis Guzman, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Coolidge and Cedric the Entertainer.

Based on the first three books in the series (The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Wide Window) the movie has already withstood a few unfortunate events of its own. Author Daniel Handler originally tackled the task of adapting his creation to film, but Robert Gordon was later brought in to take over the screenwriting job. ("Now I'm involved in a more honorary capacity," Handler told the San Francisco Chronicle.) The first director chosen for the project quit the film, and production was stalled for a time due to a budget dispute.

Filming finally began late last year and is due to conclude any day now, according to a Paramount spokesperson. The large-scale production has been shot on several soundstages on the Paramount lot, where set designers produced convincing life-sized versions of Count Olaf's mansion, Dr. Montgomery's Reptile Room and Aunt Josephine's house on Lake Lachrymose. Filming recently moved to Downey, California, where the largest movie water tank in North America has been constructed.

In his role as Count Olaf, versatile actor Jim Carrey assumes many wild disguises. In fact, Carrey had to shave his head to accommodate the wigs needed for all his crafty incarnations. The stellar cast is joined by several impressive figures in behind-the-scenes roles. Oscar-winning designer Collen Atwood (Chicago) is handling costumes, and six-time Academy Award nominee Thomas Newman is writing the score. Early buzz in Hollywood says the film looks like a winner.

If waiting six months for the movie seems too much to bear, remember that the next entry in the Lemony Snicket series, Book The Eleventh: The Grim Grotto, will be published in September. By the time you read (and re-read) all 11 Lemony Snicket books, you'll be ready to experience the Unfortunate Events on film!

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.