The Wizard of Oz is getting a remake
If you’re a Tin Man looking for a heart and you’ve been jonesing to follow the yellow brick road, then you’re in luck. A remake of The Wizard of Oz is under way! Time to polish those ruby red slippers!
Based on the 1900 children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the new film is helmed by director Nicole Kassell just because, because, because, because, becauuuuuse!
Kassell is best known for her work on Watchmen where she recently won an Emmy for her directorial skills. According to a statement released to Variety, Kassell said, “I am incredibly honoured to join Temple Hill and New Line in bringing this beloved classic to the screen.”
“While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA,” she continued, “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.”
She added, “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!”
So far there are no details on casting choices, filming locations, or even if this will contain the same songs as the mega 1939 Hollywood classic musical starring Judy Garland that featured, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” But we have a sneaking suspicion that we’re not in Kansas anymore.
This isn’t the first time it’s gotten an updated treatment – who could forget Michael Jackson’s starring role in 1978’s The Wiz alongside Diana Ross? In fact, there have been several movie re-imaginings of the original book over the past century, including during the silent era when it was made in 1910 and also 1925. But yeah, seeing as how Judy Garland’s starring role in the ’39 classic is the most iconic, we can def see that it was long overdue for a 21st century incarnation.
In recent years the powers that be have tried to bring Dorothy and co. back. In 2010, director Robert Zemeckis was slated to helm a remake that was never made. Then in 2011, iconic musical theatre maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber brought The Wizard of Oz to London’s famed West End. So it remains to be seen how this iteration will honour what’s come before it, and what it will add to the story.
There’s no place like home, Toto!
Before you go: Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire to lead classic TV remake
[video_embed id='2134087']Before you go:Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire to lead classic TV remake[/video_embed]
