Historical / Mythological stories that deserve amazing film adaptations?

[Coenskubrick]

There are 2 that spring to my mind that as far as I'm aware have never been done justice.

The Epic of Gilgamesh
Boudica

I know that both have had SOME sort of filmic adaptation but nothing on a grand scale or of particularly great praise.

[Gaius Marius]

While it would work better as a series, I think the Punic Wars (three wars between Rome and Carthage) would be amazing! Lots of epic battles in there (including the entire Hannibal campaign - Cannae alone would be awesome to see on screen).

[The Great Owl]

The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

I've always wondered why the Minotaur never gets any cinematic love. It's such a cool literary creation.

A great movie could be made just from the labyrinth sequences with the Minotaur.

[Al_The_Strange]

I had the thought some years ago that a historical biopic of Vlad the Impaler could be a really brutal and epic film. I imagine it could be in the same style as 300, and could explore both the good and wicked sides of the character and his campaign in Wallachia. It could be called, simply, The Impaler.

[imsounoriginal]

There's a lot of Hindu mythology that's ripe for epic fantasy adaptations. Especially since Bollywood doesn't really have the means to do the VFX work themselves (though they've gotten better in recent years).

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

I've always wondered why the Minotaur never gets any cinematic love. It's such a cool literary creation.

A great movie could be made just from the labyrinth sequences with the Minotaur.

They kinda incorporated that it into one of my favorite PC games--King's Quest VI. It was one of the awesomest parts.

Would love to see the original myth put into a movie somehow--Immortals had a neat little spin on it, but it is disappointing that no movie I'm aware of has an actual Minotaur in it.

[Coenskubrick]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Would love to see the original myth put into a movie somehow--Immortals had a neat little spin on it, but it is disappointing that no movie I'm aware of has an actual Minotaur in it.

Time Bandits

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Coenskubrick

Time Bandits

Was not a fan, so I don't remember that scene. Sorry.

[NP13]

There was a Minotaur in Anchorman 2, wasn't there? [emoji6]

[aiman04]

Many stories from Ancient Aliens documentaries could be adapted into epic fantasy films. Just keep Giorgio Tsoukalos in check.

[spectre08]

Originally Posted by aiman04

Many stories from Ancient Aliens documentaries could be adapted into epic fantasy films. Just keep Giorgio Tsoukalos in check.

if by "in check" you mean let him write it, direct it, and do whatever he wants.

then yeah.

let the crazy flow

[DragonOfTheBlackPool]

There have already been quite a few movies about Miyamoto Musashi, but I would love to see an epic biopic with a big budget directed by someone like Ang Lee for example. I think some aspects of his life when he was young are uncertain, but they could just reenact his duels and I would be happy. His story is fascinating.

[levcore]

12 tasks of Hercules for sure, we've had two missed opportunities recently.

Also a huge epic about Atlantis, that needs to happen.

[DragonOfTheBlackPool]

Originally Posted by NP13

There was a Minotaur in Anchorman 2, wasn't there? [emoji6]

There was definitely one in Your Highness. Might be hard to top.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by levcore

12 tasks of Hercules for sure, we've had two missed opportunities recently.

Also a huge epic about Atlantis, that needs to happen.

Be patient, Disney probably has a live-action remake of Atlantis: The Lost Empire up its sleeve.

[Gaius Marius]

I also think the Iliad and Odyssey could use updated film adaptations. Both stories are excellent and would work well even today. The Iliad is a brutal, violent war story, and the Odyssey is more epic fantasy. And do not make the same mistakes Troy made - include the Gods! The manipulations of the Greek deities really drove both stories.

[Gaius Marius]

Originally Posted by levcore

12 tasks of Hercules for sure, we've had two missed opportunities recently.

Also a huge epic about Atlantis, that needs to happen.

Hercules definitely needs a proper film adaptation!

I also agree with Theseus and the Minotaur as well. Heck, a lot of Greek mythology could use a modern film make-over.

[Hellraiserfan]

Originally Posted by levcore

12 tasks of Hercules for sure, we've had two missed opportunities recently.

Also a huge epic about Atlantis, that needs to happen.

Both of these! I've yet to see a great movie based on the 12 labors of Hercules, that includes some more direct to video films as well.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

I am going to answer this from the historical aspect because mythological isn't my thing. There are two movies i want based on real events.

The first is i would like to see a movie based on the 1955 LeMans race and its aftermath. This was the worst motorsports accident ever claiming the lives of 82 people and injuring 100 plus more. I would like to see the events leading up to the race, the race itself, and the aftermath and the safety changes motorsports as a whole made. I am a huge motorsports fan and this event always intrigued me.

The other isn't historical yet because it is still current events, but i want a movie based on Eric Frien who killed a state trooper in PA and was on the loose in the woods for a month before cops caught him.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Originally Posted by Gaius Marius

I also think the Iliad and Odyssey could use updated film adaptations. Both stories are excellent and would work well even today. The Iliad is a brutal, violent war story, and the Odyssey is more epic fantasy. And do not make the same mistakes Troy made - include the Gods! The manipulations of the Greek deities really drove both stories.

I too would love to see a big screen adaptation of the Odyssey but not white washed and I don't want it looking like a big action blockbuster

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