A Remake of 'The Wizard of Oz' is Currently In the Works

It’s been more than 80 years since The Wizard of Oz first premiered and thanks to New Line Cinema, a remake is in the works.

 

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Based on the L. Frank Baum children’s classic, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,’ released in 1900), the legendary tale has had many adaptions over the year,  including MGM’s 1939 version, which was led by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland (Dorothy), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), and Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch).

 

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Nicole Kassell (Watchmen, The Woodsman), who will direct the upcoming remake says, “While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale.  The opportunity to examine the original themes — the quest for courage, love, wisdom and home — feels more timely and urgent than ever. These are profoundly iconic shoes to fill, and I am eager to dance alongside these heroes of my childhood as we pave a newly minted yellow brick road!”

 

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As Billboard previously noted, Nicole’s version ‘will not be a musical.’  New Line Cinema says, “The remake will be a fresh take and a reimagining of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” It will have some advantages, too, since Warner Bros. owns New Line and the 1939 film. That means it can use some trademarked elements like the ruby slippers.”

 

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Check out previous remakes below:

1970s – ‘The Wonderful Land of Oz.’

1970s – Broadway Show, ‘The Wiz’ – this would later become a film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, which led to the successful ‘Wicked’ show on Broadway years later.

1985 – ‘Return to Oz.’

2013 – A prequel called ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ was released, starring James Franco.