(this project should not be confused with the unreleased L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (film) is an upcoming adaptation of the first Oz book announced by New Line Cinema which is a subdivision of Warner Brothers. Since the parent company owns the copyright to the 1939 film, it is rumored to be a remake as articles suggest it will borrow elements. However it will not be a musical but a “fresh take and a reimagining”.
The film is set to be directed by Nicole Kassell and produced in part with Marc Platt who helped to develop the Wicked musical.
With a remake or reimagining of the 1939 film announced in August 2022 believed to be entitled The Wizard of Oz (remake), there have been no updates on this separate project since February 2021.
Production History[]
In March 2017 it was suggested New Line was optioning an "Oz horror movie" based on a script by Mike Van Waes. No further news came out of this suggesting it was scrapped in favor of a family-friendly version instead.
The original placeholder on IMDB revealed that the current project was being worked on in 2019 being done with the 'treatment' being done on January 12th. However this has been switched to their separate remake or some confusion between the two.
With the new announcement made in February 2021, Kassell stated: “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!”