Movie News – New Oz Films Rumors

RYAN: You know I’m all for anything that brings “The Wizard of Oz” back into the pop culture consciousness.

CAROLINE: Yes, honey. That’s why you love the Broadway musical “Wicked” so much.

RYAN: And although people are always commenting that special effects are so great today, and that a new “Wizard of Oz would be amazing”; but in reality, that’s a horrible idea because you cannot redo a classic. But now some very creative power is behind a couple new, modern Oz-inspired movies.

CAROLINE: I cannot imagine how you’d handle that. I already have to deal with you dressing up as a child wizard when a new Harry Potter something happens.

RYAN: [laughs’ That was just with the books. And they’ve concluded.

CAROLINE: So how are these going to be modern Oz’s?

RYAN: The first is a collaboration between Warner Bros. and action figure/comic con’er Todd McFarlane who wants to do a dark Oz film where Dakota Fanning would play Dorothy’s granddaughter.

CAROLINE: And… you just lost me.

RYAN: C’mon. I think after the new “Twilight” film, Dakota’s stock will rise on our list.

CAROLINE: Speak for yourself.

RYAN: Okay. Anyway, it would be a dark, action thriller, like “Aliens,” and very loosely based on anything Baum, which is a bit blasphemous to me, but still acceptable. It makes me think of the Sci Fi channel’s mini-series “Tin Man” which was roughly Oz but still cool.

CAROLINE: What’s the other one?

RYAN: Vanguard Films wants to do “The Oz Wars” about a war between the witches of Oz over the Emerald City.

CAROLINE: That could be cool.

RYAN: Again, not based on authentic Oz lore, but still. I want to keep Oz relevant for the kids today, so whatever it takes. I mean, I’d love an Oz theme park.

CAROLINE: Okay settle down now, Scarecrow.