A Remix Library

Here’s a list I’ve been compiling of stories/films retold in new settings or genres or told from a new perspective. A work in progress, so please send me ideas for improvements: ian@byrdseed.com or @ianabyrd.

Shakespeare Related

• The Lion King puts Hamlet into the African Savannah.
• Forbidden Planet is a science-fiction retelling of The Tempest.
• 10 Things I Hate About You changes The Taming of the Shrew into a high school drama.
• West Side Story is a musical version of Romeo and Juliet set in New York.
• Ran is a retelling of King Lear set in Japan.

Japanese Origins

• The Magnificent Seven changes The Seven Samurai into a western.
• A Bug’s Life retells The Seven Samurai using insects.
• Star Wars borrows elements of The Hidden Fortress

New Narrator

• Wicked tells The Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch’s perspective.
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs retells The Three Little Pigs from the wolf’s perspective.
• Ender’s Shadow retells the events of Ender’s Game from a minor character’s perspective.

New Time Periods & Genres

• Clueless is a modern retelling of Emma
• The Hunger Games is inspired by The Myth of the Minotaur.
• Apocalypse Now places Heart of Darkness into the Vietnam war.
• Avatar retells the Pocahontas/John Smith story, via @MrLaymanSS on Twitter.
• I Love Lucy’s chocolate scene remixes Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times

Holmes In New Settings

• House, M.D. is a medical version of Sherlock Holmes.
• Sherlock and Elementary are modern retellings of Sherlock Holmes.

Marx Brothers

• This mirror scene is referenced in countless movies and TV shows