Sunday, April 21, 2013

Movies where the setting was changed to ‘in space’

Hollywood is always looking to tell stories in fresh ways.
Sometimes writers will suggest setting a familiar story “in space” to provide a twist on an old tale. They might describe their screenplay as “‘Die Hard’ in space,” maybe with a dramatic pause before “in space.” Or, “It’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ … in space.” You get the idea.
A couple of public domain works are being turned into science-fiction adventure movies this way. Director Lynne Ramsay is making a movie called “Mobius,” which is described as “Moby Dick” in space, according to the Hollywood Reporter. And Warner Bros. is producing a version of Homer’s The Odyssey set in space, according to Deadline.
Here’s a list of other movies and TV shows where conventional stories and familiar characters were put in space to liven things up.

“Abbott and Costello Go To Mars” (1953): Abbott and Costello is space.
“Forbidden Planet” (1956): William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in space.
“The Three Stooges in Orbit” (1962): The Three Stooges in space.
“Robinson Crusoe on Mars” (1964): “Robinson Crusoe” in space.
“Lost in Space” (1965-68): “The Swiss Family Robinson” in space.
“Pigs In Space” (1976-81): Muppets in space, a recurring segment on “The Muppet Show.”
“Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” (1977): “The Hidden Fortress” in space.
“Battlestar Galactica” (1978-79): “Wagon Train” in space.
“Alien” (1979): “Jaws” in space.
“Moonraker” (1979): James Bond in space.
“Outland” (1981): “High Noon” in space.
“Lifeforce” (1985): Vampires in space.
“Event Horizon” (1997): “The Shining” in space.
“Treasure Planet” (2002): “Treasure Island” in space.
“Jason X” (2002): Jason Voorhees in space.
“Dracula 3000” (2004): “Dracula” in space.
“Defying Gravity” (2009): “Grey’s Anatomy” in space.

Photo: Cast photo from “Lost In Space,” which is based on “The Swiss Family Robinson.”

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