It's time to bust out your shiny red shoes -- a remake of the classic Wizard of Oz is in the works! This won't be any modern remake -- the 1930s classic will be clicking its heels in a dark direction.
The magical musical will be re-created by Warner Brothers to celebrate the film's 70th anniversary set for release in 2009. Don't expect Dorothy to be as innocent as the original, though. Screenwriter Josh Olson and Spawn creator, and the man known for his gritty approach on Spider-Man comics, Todd McFarlane are on board to bring the movie dark humor and tough talking characters.
According to thecelebritycafe.com "MacFarlane's goal is to persuade Lord of the Rings fans and the like to embrace the new “Oz.†You've still got Dorothy trapped in an odd place, but she's much closer to Ripley from “Alien†than a helpless singing girl.†Olson, on the other hand, wants “'Harry Potter' dark,†not “'Seven' dark,â€
Producers are already looking for their star-studded cast and are apparently desperate to sign up Natalie Portman to play Dorothy. Warner's insists: "We're not turning Dorothy into a sexual character." and that the new version is "actually more of a sequel than a remake"
The New Oz
"Dark" Remake Of Wizard Of Oz
Trend Themes
1. Dark Remakes - The trend of creating dark remakes of classic films opens up opportunities for reimagining beloved stories with a gritty twist, attracting a broader audience.
2. Gritty Reimaginings - The trend of bringing grittier, more realistic elements to familiar stories presents opportunities to appeal to different demographics and capture new fan bases.
3. Sequel-style Remakes - The trend of approaching remakes as sequels rather than direct remakes gives filmmakers the freedom to expand upon existing narratives and create fresh storylines.
Industry Implications
1. Film Production - The film production industry can capitalize on the trend of dark remakes by exploring new ways to reimagine classic stories and attract audiences with a darker and more mature tone.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry, including television and streaming platforms, can benefit from producing gritty reimaginings that appeal to the growing demand for edgier content.
3. Acting and Casting - The acting and casting industry has the opportunity to participate in the trend of dark remakes by selecting actors who can bring depth and intensity to iconic roles, offering unique interpretations to captivate audiences.