Posted by Kirk in Animated, Director, Movies, Remakes | 62 comments
‘Wizard of Oz’ CG Remake Coming in 2010
Sometimes you gotta sit back and look at some of the golden geese of films, films that you never think will be remade. Â I can’t imagine anyone thinking they are going to remake ‘The Godfather’. Â ’Jaws’ seems like a pretty safe property. Â I thought the same about ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Â That is, until today.
John Boorman, the director behind such lighthearted classics as ‘Deliverance’, ‘Exorcist II’, and ‘The Tailor of Panama’ is set to direct a CG-animated update called ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Â Needless to say, this will be Boorman’s first animated film.
The screenplay was written by Boorman along with Ron Mita and Jim McClain of ‘Robots’ fame. Â Right, ’cause ‘Robots’ was the end-all be-all of great animation.
The film is scheduled for a summer 2010 release.
Source: Variety
Dammit all to hell. I wanted to make a modern day remake of the wizard of oz..sorta like the Romeo and Juliet movie with Leo and Claire Danes..this effs that all up.
oh no!!
Sounds more like you want to do a remake of “The Wiz”
i would hope u made a better remake than the Romeo and Juliet one becuase that remake was complete CRAP!!!
Check out Paul Sanchez’s grooving rendition of “If I only Had a Brain” and Theresa Andersson’s cover of “Over the Rainbow” on the compilation, FUNKY KIDZ. Anyone know the music supervisor?
I think it’s a FANTASTIC idea. Anyone who thinks otherwise is obviously unaware of the original novel (which was called “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”) and, in the novel, there are so many other journeys that the characters take that weren’t even mentioned in the film. The 1939 film was and still is amazing – don’t get me wrong – but I think that, to appreciate the story that the author originally had in mind, we need a more faithful adaptation of the novel. The only thing that gets me is why Boorman is using animation for such a big project. There are so many novels that were recently done wonderfully using live-action: Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings… and this one could be wonderful, too. But, oh well. P.S. Did anyone know that, in the novel, Dorothy’s shoes are actually silver, not ruby?
yeah,… that is the most KNOWN fact that the slippers were silver not ruby.
I think you have a point about how the first movie didn't follow the book 100% but no actress could replace Judy as Dorothy.
I love the books. There was a darkness to them that the movie never caught. I never liked the musical. The books to me were too dark for the fluff that was played out on screen. I'd love to see it done faithfully. The movie wasn't only a little departure from the books, but rather a huge abortion of the original story.
faruza balk (sp) did in return to oz. so it is possible to find someone. it’s not it’s going to be a musical or something. did anyone know that mice actually saved dorothy in the poppyfield?
This is crap! I am a Wizard of Oz fanatic and do not support this. I have read the novel by L. Frank Baum, and seen the movie thousands of times, and still feel that great films should not be re-made, whether they are based on the original story or the famous film. If we recall through film history whenever a great film is re-made it is a failure. Psycho, Stepford Wives, The Women-just to name a few. I don’t support most stage versions of Wizard because I feel that it could take away or altogether ruin the magic of such a classic movie that really does touch peoples hearts. I know my mom cries when Dorothy gives her speech at the end before Glinda shows her how to use the shoes. Maybe I’m crazy, but I root for the failure of this film.
I AGREE Brian!
IT IS NOT A REMAKE PEOPLE
If you're going to comment, know what you're commenting on.
I have wanted to see a remake of The Wizard of Oz for many years now. While the original movie was fun and wholesome, I’ve always wanted to see a version that was more true to Baum’s work. The version in my head is not a musical and would be a bit darker and even more frightening than most would expect(Think collaboration between Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro, sort of a cross between The LOTR Trilogy and Pan’s Labyrinth). We have to keep in mind that this was a book before it was a movie. Although the 1939 film was and will remain a classic, in all honesty, it is a fairly loose adaptation of the book. I agree that if someone tried to remake the movie The Wizard of Oz, it would fail (as it should), but a fresh reinterpretation and visualization of Baum’s work would be appreciated on a completely different level.
Im really scared about this one… I am a huge fan of both the book and the movie. lately there was a “Renaissance” of the classic movie with more and more references in other films and on tv, new improved dvd’s, merchandise, clothes and so on.. Judy Garland and the Wizard of oz are growing so popular with the new genration- i find that amazing cause years are passing and there is a fear that this movie will be forgotten…which is what might happen if a new “shiny” and extra advanced version will apear that will draw the new generation away from the original…i wanna be happy about this new movie but i cant help but worrying…
this is disappointing but only because i originally heard that tim burton would be doing this film. that would’ve been awesome. however, if boorman keeps the whole “scary” theme that burton was going to have then it might be ok. he has directed deliverance and exorcist II after all.
I am super pissed about this one! They are going to completely mess up one of America’s favorite movies! This is not a modern story… if you make it modern… it’ll mess it up! LOOK AT THE WIZ!
I think this is amazing. I am a huge huge fan of the story and movie and to be completely honest I think that we do need a true version of what baum wanted to show people. But I do have to agree with someone above I believe it should have been live action and done like LOTR or something. Throw peter jackson in on it and it would be amazing. Hell I wouldnt care if it was like 2-3 hrs long I would still watch it. I would like to see the Kalidahs and the Quadlings and Munchkinland look like it is supposed to. Not saying thet the 1939 film version didnt being that out. But still. I would like to see the good witch of the north meet dorothy in munchkin land not glinda she doesnt come in till the very end. SO yeah But i wouldnt know who to cast for live version that would be hard as heck! :)
Boorman, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make it as faithful to the book as possible, not some kiddy friendly colourful pap like the Judy Garland effort. The novel has some really dark parts, and there was so much of it that we haven't yet seen in any version. I want the story of the tin woodsman to be told for once, where he chopped off his limbs one by one because he had a spell put on him, even his head!
i am so depressed by this news.
IT WAS MY DREAM TO REMAKE THIS. they will fuck it up!
exorcits II qhT joke.
i hope its crap and no one sees it
I think they should make it non-musical, that's for sure. Stick to the book and there will be no comparison. They've remade The Wizard of Oz a few times unsuccessfully. Anyone remember the animated version with Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman? I didn't think so.
Stick to being more faithful to the books and less to the 1939 film and everything will be fine.
special effects are so advanced now I do think they could make this old Classic a wonder of good
Good luck my pretty
special effects are so advanced now I do think they could make this old Classic a wonder of good
Well I do think Liza Minnelli should play the wicked witch or Auntie Emma that would be cool
Jim Carey as the ScareCrow Tin man Johnny Depp The Lion ? The Wizard ?
Guess who else is doing THE WIZARD OF OZ?
Andrew Lloyd Webber himself.
Besides working on LOVE NEVER DIES (TPOTO sequel)-he'll be doing HIS own version of
THE WIZARD OF OZ.
But rest assure-he'll keep OVER THE RAINBOW in.
If there IS to be a 21st Century version of THE WIZARD OF OZ, let's hope it's as good as
THE WIZ/WICKED!
they should NOT remake a classic………the should, though, make a movie based on the novel Wicked….not the musical.
I so agree that the wizard of Oz is a fun movie we all ran home to watch it
"they should NOT remake a classic………the should, though, make a movie based on the novel"
Agreed. The musical is a classic that shouldn't be touched. However, it wasn't very faithful to the book- and so I think most people are agreed that a more faithful adaptation of the book would be much more favourable.
I feel that it is wrong to "remake" a classic movie. But I also feel it is perfectly alright to make the movie closer to the novel. If anyone has read the original novel, you would know that MGM cut the crap out of it and made it for toddlers and people with heart conditions. My personal opinion, I rather see Tim Burton tackle this challenge. He has a way to make a movie creepy, yet make it a family affair.
Yes I think Tim would have been many book fans favourite, including mine.
waht most people also dont realize is that the wizard of oz (movie) is based on previous musical adaptations (stage) but all of the songs were dumped and story line was changed. i would be very happy if one of the original stage show scripts were to pop up somewhere.
Again, I wish Tim Burton was doing this, too, although his new Alice in Wonderland looks like a crack factory, so I don't know. HOWEVER, I have casted it according to what I think it should be. Dorothy should be the voice of Abigail Breslin, the Scarecrow should be Jim Carrey, the TinMan should be Johnny Depp, the Lion should be Nathan Lane, the Wicked Witch of the West should be Helena Bonham Carter, the Witch of the North should be Debra Messing, Glinda should be Cate Blanchett, Aunt Em should be Liza Minelli, Uncle Henry should be James Gardner, the Wizard should be Alan Rickman. Did anyone know that in one of the early, early stage versions of Wizard, Toto was a cow? I thought that was odd. Good luck, John Boorman.
What's next….Gone With the Wind???Some things should be left alone…… :(
@Linda:
"What's next….Gone With the Wind???Some things should be left alone"
Haven't you read the previous comments? They are making a new film BASED ON THE BOOK, and it will have nothing to do with the Judy Garland classic musical! Why shouldn't there be any more versions of the book- especially when the JG musical film wasn't even close to the book? They are NOT trying to copy the JG film at all, so what are you worried about? This film should hopefully appeal to those of us who have long been waiting for a film that is more faithful to the book than the JG "effort".
Totally agree! Several films of the same story have been made and they're not necessarily "competing" with each other. This new adaptation I'm sure won't replace the JG musical, but it will be a new, more accurate adaptation which will hopefully let everyone gain a new respect for what L. Frank Baum intended the story to be like. I also agree that the JG musical could never be replaced, but if this new thing is accurate, then they shouldn't even be close to the same thing.
why the hell r they doin it in cg i can think of alot of great acters to play in a real film
I wanted to do a modern day "Wizard" remake as well only it would be a musical. I would definitely have Dorothy be a little older than the original. My cast would be Jim Carrey (Scarecrow), Will Farrell or Jack Black (Cowardly Lion), Harry Connick Jr (TinMan), Beyonce (Glinda the good Witch), Helena Boham Carter (Wicked Witch), Susan Surandon (Auntie Em), Sam Elliot (Uncle Fred), Robin Williams (Wizard), and Demi Lovato or Lea Michele from Glee (Dorothy) both sing and look great. Director Tim Burton or Guillermo del Toro, Music Danny Elfman
the cast for a new steampunk -esque adventure Wizard of Oz billybob thorton as the scarecrow, Michael clark duncan as the lion, vin diesel as the metal woodsman, jodelle ferland(from silent hill)as dorothy ,fae dunaway as the wicked witch,bobcat goldthwaite as jack pumpkinhead,ian holm as the wizard,john rys davies as tic toc, and so on.
if it was a live action movie i might see it. but since its cgi i will probably not see go watch alice in wonderland instead. anyone see the mini series “alice” or “tin man” on syfy i thought they were decent.
I am NOT a fan of this idea at all – CG or not. It's too classic to mess with.
What's too classic to mess with? The book that this film will be based on? No, you're thinking of the Judy Garland film aren't u, of course. It has been said before, that this film is not a remake of the JG film, but is rather a film based on the original book.
Should we have kept with the first film version of A Christmas Carol? Of course not, because now there are versions out there that different people prefer. And if this version ends up being more faithful to the book than the JG version (which won't be hard at all) then I will prefer it. No-one is taking your JG version away from you. But if someone wants to make a new version of the book, I say bring it on. I just hope they do a decent job.
It is being filmed in my town right now.
I was thinking they should make a much darker Wizard of Oz… anyone agree?
Yes, after all there are darker elements in the book.
It is going to be a cartoonish style. It is technically not a remake…
I would be very interested to see Tim Burtons interpretation of my favorite story. It makes me nervous at the possibility that this classic could be butchered, but either way we will have the originals to pull us through. If Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino teamed up…the possibilities are endless and that would be something i'd be very interested to see.
I would love to see a Tim Burton version of this film.
there are some movies that should NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER be remade. the wizard of oz is top of the list. its like a remake of the sound of music, grease, titanic or as the author suggested jaws and the godfather. LET ALONE A CG REMAKE!! TELL THIS DIRECTOR TO GO FUCK HIMSELF NOW
What is it with people moaning that the JG film shouldn't be re-made. How many times must it be said that the new film is BASED ON A BOOK that has been made into film more than once already. Anyone saying it shouldn't be re-made should realise that the JG version wasn't in fact the first film version of the book, so if you have that opinion, then we should only have ever had the original silent black and white version!
Stop being so bloody stupid.
All I can say… if anyone is to remake The Wizard of Oz, it should be Tim Burton.
i dont want to see an animated wizard of oz i want there to be a remake not a cartoon
Will Farrell ( the tin man)
Jim Carrey (scarecrow)
Kevin James (cowardly lion)
Jonny Depp (the wizard)
Amy Adams (dorothy)
Angela lansbury (aunty em)
Emma Thompson (good witch)
Helena boham carter (wicked witch)
Jerry stiller (uncle fred).
Now thats a cast.
I guess the movie is finished supposed to be out this summer!. called Witches of Oz I guess in 3D IMDB link ishttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1592287/
Its not gonna be an actual remake its dakota fanning as dorothy but the story takes place 70 yrs later but the thing is that the grandma is also name dorothy so its gonna a whole new story with twists, they are gonna leave the classic story alone without the musical. Just like tim burton alice in wonderland its not like the original story remember alice comes back 15 yrs later
Most of these "talked" about movies will not be made. All these huge stars have movies booked for the next 3 years.
I think Shirley Temple should be in this movie. It would make-up for lost times :)
IF THEY DO REMAKE THIS MOVIE BE TRUE TO THE BOOK
I'd love for Tim Burton to do an non-remake. Based on the book rather than on the original one. The book was much darker, & there was a fourth witch in it. Also, he might bring back the silver slippers Dorothy actually wore. The only made them ruby in the classic because silver doesn't capture all that well on camera. Anyways, either way, I'm neutral to this idea. I may love the classic, but don't remake it, base it off the book.
And, go screw yourself, Robots was amazing!
the 1939 film is enough wizard of oz to go around. who needs darkness especially in a decade of nothing but darkness…
why can’t anyone in the 21st century come up with anything new for movies? so far almost everything has been either endless film adaptions of books or remakes of great movies.
no wonder crap movies like avatar and twilight bring out the dumbest in america, there are no standards anymore.
Kevin James as the Lion, Adam Sandler as the scarecrow, Will Smith as the Tin Man and Selena Gomez as Dorothy.
no win no fee claims
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