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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 4512229" data-attributes="member: 177">Um, you realize that usually, that's not the case?For one thing, for most of Shakespeare's works, there are multiple versions, and there is much argument over which is "correct".  There is no single originally written dialog.  For another, most individual productions make changes in the staging (because Billy gave almost no staging instructions), as well as dialog.  Kenneth's Branaghs' film Hamlet is the only one around that tries to use every single line, and it is usually considered a slow, turgid piece.  Most stage and film productions cut things out.  And then the actors get at it, and usually change it somewhat.And then, you get to things like West Side Story - which really is Romeo and Juliet, but darned sure, there's probably not a single line of Shakespeare in there.The history of human storytelling is a history of re-tellings: Shakespeare's plays are mostly stories that already existed before he got to them, that the audience knew before they entered the theatre.   Norse mythology, greek mythology (basically, every mythology or legend ever) King Arthur, Robin Hood, all retold more often than the sun rises.  Modern comic book characters pass through the hands of many authors and artists, each putting their own spins, twists, and alterations.  And we won't even get into Doctor Who...The more iconic a character or plot is, the more ripe it is for this treatment - for an iconic character, the audience already starts with a handle on the beast, so the authors and performers can spend less time giving you the basics, and you can concentrate on the nuances, and differences in interpretation.  The best way to explore the depth of an icon is to look at it in as many ways as possible.The problem with Hollywood remakes and sequels isn't that they're remakes and sequels - it is that they're bad remakes and sequels.  If someone who understands the tradition of Shakespeare, mythology, and legend gets a hand on Trek for a reboot, it could be nice.I won't be surprised if it is crap, but if it is, it won't be because retellings stink by their nature.</blockquote>

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