A huge percentage of modern cinema remains based on stories written a thousand years ago, whether it’s Ancient Greece or William Shakespeare. But most works of fiction stop at taking inspiration from these well-tread classics, only a few have the guts to bring the story to a new time in all its glory.
David Lowery’sThe Green Knightis brilliant. It’s a beautiful tone poem that took a story most experience in English Literature class and used the language of modern cinema to give it the weight and magic it deserved. The film’s clever alterations aside, it’s a direct adaptation of the Arthurian myth ofSir Gawain and the Green Knight.Fans of that tale and its surrounding world of related fiction were gifted an incredible new look at the work. Newcomers to the narrative got to experience it through some truly incredible visual storytelling which gave it new impact centuries later. But the ancient world holds countless other tales of myth and legend that could benefit from the same kindof all-encompassing adaptation.
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Kaveh the Blacksmith
Within the national myth of Iran, knownat the time as Persia, is the inspiring tale of revolutionary hero Kaveh the Blacksmith. The story was properly recorded, in its current form, in the 10th century by poet Ferdowsi. The story begins, as do many, with the rise of a tyrant who rules with an iron fist. The diabolical foreign king Zahāk the Snake Shoulder, so named for the pair of monstrous snakes which literally sprout from either side of his head, executes the rightful leader of the world and claims his throne. After years of despotic rule, Zahāk gains the ire of the people, who go in search of a leader.
Enter Kaveh,a career blacksmith whohas lost two beloved daughters to the dictator’s snakes. Consumed with righteous fury, Kaveh wraps his workman’s apron around his spear and raises it high as a battle standard as he leads the people to oust the evil leader. This ancient tale remains powerful for a huge chunk of the population, inspiring a holiday in Zoroastrian tradition and an animated film in Iran. A modern recreation could be an inspiring tale of revolution that brings this ancient myth to countless people for the first time.
Cu Chulainn
The half-god hero of Celtic myth has made his way into the odd video game and holds animpressive place in theFatefranchise, but the time has come for a full film adaptation. This man’s life is so packed with fantastical stories and classic stories that the character could carry a trilogy of films with ease. Born under mysterious and mystical circumstances, Cu Chulainn is foretold from his youth to gain immense fame and fortune at the cost of a short life. A little later he discovers a superhuman gift, an ability commonly translated as a “warp spasm” which allows him to take a grotesque and massive formakin to The Incredible Hulk.
He trains for years with a stoic warrior woman on a distant island, forging a friendship and rivalry with his training partner. He withstands an ancient curse to battle an enemy army one by one. He lays siege to a castle to marry his betrothed against the will of her father. He eventually faces his old friend in single combat, winning the duel but succumbing to his injuries. In his final moments, he ties himself to a boulder, so he can die on his feet, and the dropping of his blade defeats the first man to approach his corpse. Cu Chulainn’s story has absolutely everything.
Utgard-Loki
Though aspects of the MCU arefascinatingly tied in with mythology, it would be a radical new dimension in cinema to introduce a more period-piece look at Norse classics. Utgard-Loki is not to be confused with the trickster who shares his name, especially since both appear in this story. The thing about Norse myth is that their deities are portrayed as extremely human. They make mistakes, quarrel amongst themselves, go out on jobs, negotiate or fight enemies and do just about everything other protagonists tend to do. When a story centers on the Aesir, some are stronger, smarter, or more clever than others, but those differences are skills rather than superpowers.
Utgard-Loki is a giant who poses a challenge to Thor, Loki, and a pair of kids traveling with them. The group seeks lodging for the evening, and Utgard-Loki will put them up if they can perform any impressive feat of their choice.Loki and Thor’s travelsthroughout the realms are defined by the bizarre characters they run across, and this is one of the best examples. Utgard-Loki provides a test of skill, strength, and wit; allowing its audience to learn a ton about the original takes on these beloved figures. A full updating of this tale will delight Norse mythology fans, while also bringing a great story to a new audience.
