And it’s official. There are no movies too big or too iconic to be remade.
Todd McFarlane, creator of the Spawn comic books, says he is working with Basil Iwanyk to produce a new version of “The Wizard of Oz.”
McFarlane says the new version will be closer to the original source material by L. Frank Baum, which is darker than the 1939 classic movie and features less singing.
Warner Brothers is planning a brand new Oz story following the present day adventures of Dorothy’s granddaughter.
And for the role, McFarlane would like to see actress Dakota Fanning take over for Judy Garland.
“You’ve still got Dorothy trapped in an odd place, but she’s much closer to the Ripley character from ‘Alien’ [played by Sigourney Weaver] than a helpless singing girl,” said McFarlane.
You may recall that Disney tried to take audiences back to Oz in the ’80’s with the box-office failure “Return to Oz.” That was a sequel, while this new project is being looked at as a reimagining.
This is a great idea. Classic though the Garland film is, it falls short as an adaptation of Baum’s novel. A faithful version of Oz would be lovely. As for sequels, rather than making films about Dorothy’s granddaughter, why not film the other dozen or so Oz books?
Hrm… I respect McFarlane’s artistic ability, and with him involved it’s likely to get a little darker, but I wish he’d just do his own “thing” and leave this classic alone.
SyFy’s Tin Man ring a bell to anyone here?
http://www.syfy.com/tinman/
I have to agree with Lejon the Chandler. Wasn’t the mini-seriesTin Man a darker version? Does anyone remember what happened when they decided to make an updated Lone Ranger? Bombed!
Don’t make me use my flying monkeys!!!
It’s just crazy enough to work! 😉
Follow the Highway to Hell!
Follow the Highway to Hell!
…
Well of course he does.
face palm. shakes head. goes to the book store.
Darcy
Please just leave that alone….pic another movie to ruin. I respect and even like McFarlane’s work, but the Wizard of Oz is a movie that should remain a virgin.