'Wizard of Oz' remake planned with HBO's 'Watchmen' director
NEW YORK (AP) — Are we off to see the wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz — again?
New Line Cinema is making a new adaptation of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," L. Frank Baum children's novel, with Nicole Kassell, the visual architect of "Watchmen," set to direct. Baum's 1900 novel, now in the public domain, has spawned many adaptations over the years — most famously, of course, the 1939 MGM musical by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland.
Kassell's version will not be a musical. New Line said it 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.
"While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale," said Kassell in a statement. "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!"
Kassell is an executive producer of HBO's "Watchmen" and directed three of its nine episodes, including the pilot. She has worked primarily in television but directed the feature films "The Woodsman" and "A Little Bit of Heaven."
The most recent "Wizard of Oz" film came from the Walt Disney Co.'s "Oz the Great and Powerful" in 2013. Directed by Sam Raimi and starring James Franco, it was set 20 years before the events of the 1939 classic.
Support Canvas
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
Canvas supported by
Knight Foundation
Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Barbara Walters became an icon of the industry, rising through the ranks to become one of the country's first and…
On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie, one of the world's best-known writers, was attacked and nearly killed by a young…
Creative Growth is an art center in Oakland that supports artists with disabilities. The center has artworks in museums across…
A scholar highlights some of the most interesting versions of the Passover text, from sumptuous engravings to stick-figure sketches, and…
The 1920s silent film star who appears on Taylor Swift's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" abruptly left Hollywood at…
The NBA has banned Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports…
The new film "Civil War" is stirring debate and provoking conversation about where a divided nation could lead. It topped…
A movie weapons supervisor has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by…
PEN's response to Israel's invasion of Gaza has been widely criticized by writers who believe the organization has failed to…
Faith Ringgold, an award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her…
Entrepreneur and author Derrick Fennell has been a flight attendant for more than 14 years. Many of his passengers know…
The Italian-born designer became renowned in the early 1970s for his animal prints and a sexy Italian style that remained…
More than 4,000 library book bans were attempted in public and school libraries in 2023, according to the American Library…
The decorated football star who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but wound up…
In the summer of 2022, historic flooding in eastern Kentucky washed away homes and entire communities, claiming more than 40…