Here are two things that should never be mentioned in the same sentence: “The Wizard of Oz” and “Remake.”
Word on the Hot Wire claims there are currently two treatments of the 1939 cinema classic being shopped around Tinseltown.
Originality is dead…along with chivalry and fidelity.
The first is called Oz — housed by New Line Cinemas — it is being produced by Temple Hill, one of the companies behind the immensely-popular Twilight franchise. Darren Lemke, who helped pen Shrek Forever After, has been commissioned by New Line to work on the script. A second script for a possibly new Wizard is also being considered by Warner Bros, which launched the career of Hollywood icon Judy Garland when it released the original film more than 70 years ago.
Not much is known about the plot of either script, but do we really need a crystal ball to see how this travesty would turn out? And I don’t think they can pay anyone enough to put on that ridiculous Cowardly Lion costume…..except maybe Dane Cook or one of The Jonas Brothers.
Hollywood’s already attempted two sequels to the timeless motion picture; the animated Journey Back to Oz in 1974 and one live action update Return to Oz in 1985. Both were critical and commercial failures.
Would you like to see a remake of The Wizard of Oz?