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A Remix Library

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

This is an example of “Change, Then Explain!”

My favorite way to reach "synthesize" - ask students to make a change and then explain the effects of that change.

See other examples of “Change, Then Explain!” ❯❯

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