Public Domain
Salutations Scribblers,
As we entered 2024, I noticed some clickbait in my news feed about Mickey Mouse entering the public domain. This got me thinking about the present-day value to be found in copyright-free IP from classic literature, movies, comic books, etc.
The modern media landscape is more crowded than the 405 at rush hour. That’s one reason entertainment companies are happier going with stories audiences recognize than trying to launch new ones.
Everybody knows Star Wars, Marvel, and James Bond. Everybody also knows Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and the works of Jane Austen. Scribbling spec tales based on copyright-free classics can be a shortcut to getting your work noticed.
The treasure trove of public domain material is like having an all-access pass to some of the greatest and most beloved tales ever told. Let’s consider some examples.
The Sherlock Holmes films from 2009 and 2011. Guy Ritchie breathed new life into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's deerstalker-clad detective, attracting audiences with a fresh take on a familiar character.
How about Disney's 2015 live-action adaptation of “Cinderella?" By reimagining this fairy tale for modern audiences, they captivated fans with novelty and timeless themes.
There's also stuff on the quirky side, like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," a fave of my wife. This film spices up Jane Austen's novel with a dash of the undead. It's a perfect example of how public domain works can be creatively reinterpreted. And a cautionary tale about taking material into a new genre that might not be palatable to OG fans.
Baz Luhrmann adapted “Romeo & Juliet,” "The Great Gatsby," and “Moulin Rouge” into stylistically unique films. I consider his most recent flick, “Elvis,” based on IP.
Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women" brought a modern sensibility to the story of the March sisters. By playing with structure and focusing on the characters' aspirations beyond marriage, GG offered a fresh take that resonated with contemporary audiences while honoring the spirit of the original.
Gerwig repeated this approach with a film based on a globally popular toy brand that’s absolutely not in the public domain. In 2023, this Margot Robbie-produced flick went head-to-head with another familiar film based on a relevant brand.
Leigh Whannell's modern "The Invisible Man," H.G. Wells' classic science fiction novel, is a chilling tale of gaslighting and domestic abuse. Focusing on the victim rather than the inventor, the film provides a timely exploration of fear and empowerment.
The creators of "Sherlock," Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, took on "Dracula," exploring the legendary vampire's origins with a blend of horror, humor, and heart. They added layers of complexity and modern themes to the well-trodden lore of Bram Stoker’s Count.
When I first moved to LA back in 1990, I heard a story about director Stephen Sommers kickstarting his career by scribbling an adaptation of “Huckleberry Finn.” The rumor was that he checked out the book from the library, bought a Diet Coke six-pack, and transcribed Mark Twain’s classic from page to laptop over a long weekend.
The benefits of the crate-digging approach to IP sourcing are clear. Familiar narratives come with a built-in audience eager to see their favorite tales reimagined. Cross-generational appeal means these films attract and resonate with a broad audience.
There’s also inherent cultural and educational value in bringing classic tales to the local multiplex and the latest streaming platforms. Reinterpreting these yarns in modern, innovative, or unconventional ways keeps important cultural narratives alive for the TL;DR generation.
So, if you're ever searching for inspiration, don’t forget to look back at the classics buried on the top shelf or hiding in the internet archive. Grab some Red Bull, clear your calendar, and start scribbling.
Here’s a Eurocentric list to get you off page one:
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley - A cornerstone of science fiction and horror.
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - A classic tale of manners, marriage, and morality.
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker - The quintessential vampire novel that has inspired countless adaptations.
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle - The famous detective stories that have been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and books.
"Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville - An epic sea adventure that explores obsession and revenge.
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A masterpiece of American literature, reflecting on the Jazz Age and the American Dream. (Note: Entered the public domain in 2021 in the United States.)
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë - A revolutionary novel of gothic romance, morality, and social critique.
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens - A historical novel set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy - A monumental work of Russian literature, offering a detailed panorama of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
"The Call of the Wild" by Jack London - A tale of survival and transformation in the Yukon during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush.
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde - A philosophical novel that explores the themes of aestheticism, moral duplicity, and the pursuit of beauty.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë - A dark romance that delves into passion, revenge, and the supernatural, set on the Yorkshire moors.
"Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson - An adventure tale of piracy, treasure, and exploration that has captivated readers of all ages.
"Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo - An epic historical novel that portrays the lives and struggles of several characters in 19th century France.
"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy - A complex exploration of love, infidelity, and the social norms of Russian society.
"The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells - A pioneering science fiction story that introduced the concept of time travel to popular literature.
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens - A coming-of-age novel that examines class and personal growth in Victorian England.
"The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling - A collection of stories featuring animal characters that teach moral lessons, set in the Indian jungle.
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll - A fantastical narrative that plays with logic and absurdity, appealing to both children and adults.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas - A tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of France in the early 19th century.
