Robert Zemeckis to remake The Wizard of OZ
Walt Disney Pictures has long been trying to return to the Emerald City with its own planned prequel Oz: The Great and Powerful, which Sam Raimi is developing to direct himself. Robert Downey Jr. has long been associated with the leading role, though he isn't signed on yet. Now, it will be a race to the finish line to see who can get their OZ film in production and on screens first.
Robert Zemeckis is currently working on another remake, Yellow Submarine, which he is producing through Disney for a 2012 release date. After that, the director was set to make his live-action return with the project Timeless, though the live-action The Wizard of Oz may now come first if Warner Bros. has any hopes of beating Disney to that famed yellow brick road.
The Wizard of Oz was released August 15th, 1939 and stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin. The film is directed by Victor Fleming, Mervyn LeRoy, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor.
Oz: The Great and Powerful was released March 8th, 2013 and stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, Tony Cox. The film is directed by Sam Raimi.
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Josh
Why?
3 years agoby @shuabertFlag
T.Clark
I don't have a problem with them remaking it, but I think I'd rather see the prequel starring Downey Jr.
3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Worth5Bucks
this movie was good as it was.
3 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
incmob
this is one that i have felt through all the remakes and reboots, and regurgitated crap of films there is, it warrants a remake. Yes it is a beloved classic piece of cinema, i myself being a fan now since first watching it on tv around 80-81. But then again, i also say and have said that if they make this film based on the book, and not a musical that there will undoubtedly be two films that both fans can enjoy and appreciate. on top of all that, the original novel has quite a bit of differences from the book, but when talking about a film in 1939 that has become much more popular than the book itself, it is easy for one to forget. I look forward to this, and it is a welcome addition, robert zemeckis is a well established and competent director who could do this justice. my bet was always on tim burton doing this remake but zemeckis will do fine at the job given to him.
3 years agoby @incmobFlag
Pjwolsker
@Mad_Max Star Tek was awesome.. i dont know what your talking about
3 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Mad_Max
This along with Star Wars, ET, Gone with the Wind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Godfather et al. should never be touched by modern Hollywood hands. They will no doubt f*ck it up like they've done with Star Trek, Psycho, Elm St, TX chainsaw, King Kong, Poseidon, Day the Earth Stood Still, Wicker Man, Karate Kid, etc...etc.... Hollywood has officially ran out of ideas. I saw where they are wanting to remake Total Recall?? It's 20 years old Hollywood! Why??
3 years agoby @mad-max-67878820Flag
Remy72883
this is a sacred film, i cant believe their gonna f*ck with this, son's of bitches
3 years agoby @remy72883Flag
thedude-abides
God no, you son of a bitch!
3 years agoby @thedude-abidesFlag
MegaRUSHfan2112
If they remake this movie they should have Rob Zombie direct it and turn it into an updated horror film. It would be a uber dark Wizard of Oz.
3 years agoby @megarushfan2112Flag
the Narrator
Also, what happened to the Downey Jr. Film, "Oz, the great and powerful" or whatever. I was looking forward to that.
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
the Narrator
I have been saying that Jackson could do a decent remake of Wizard of Oz, but I was thinking down the line another 10-20 years. This is to soon, and I'm sure Zemeckis will go the motion capture route... which will honestly be the easy way out. F*ck.
3 years agoby @narratorFlag
slysnide
My friend and I watched "Wizard of Oz" a few months ago and couldn't stop laughing, Most hysterical thing ever. I don't see how they think they're gonna make money on a remake of such a classic film.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
ed_wood
NO.
3 years agoby @ed-woodFlag
spynet315
@The CoutNess Monster The Bible's already been rewritten several times. ; )
If they want a fresh take on the Oz stories, they should imitate what these guys did http://www.whitestonemotionpictures.com/Films/heartless/
3 years agoby @spynet315Flag
Pjwolsker
Burton seems like the director that would do this.. Mulligan or Portman could be Dorthy, Depp could be the scarecrow, Jolie or Tilda Swinton could be the witch, Liam Neeson as Oz, Russell Crow as the Lion, and no idea about the Tinman
3 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Courtney O.
why don't we rewrite the bible?
3 years agoby @chickflickFlag
Courtney O.
hmmm not sure we needed a new one
3 years agoby @chickflickFlag
Fry_3000
being zemekis and his new toys of motion capture, i'd say he'll be doing it in that format.
3 years agoby @Fry-3000Flag
moviegeek
Fun!! I hope he does this in his Motion Capture. This would be really a visual treat. I'm usually not a huge fan of remakes, but this could work.
3 years agoby @moviegeekFlag
spynet315
Why would they use the same script as the original? The story could use some updating if you ask me.
@Tyranus I love Return to Oz
3 years agoby @spynet315Flag
Tyranus
This must be the sixth wizard of Oz movie coming out in the next few years. This is ridiculous. As for Zemeckis' version, it's just not a good idea. He's not a very gifted director and the original is classic. Not because of it's visuals, but because it is so timeless and magical no matter what age you are. They can't just recreate that emotional experience, especially with the way movies are now. If anything they should make darker ones like Return to Oz.
3 years agoby @tyranusFlag
Daveactor7
Oh. Epic fail for me. Sorry @Gardner
3 years agoby @daveactor7Flag
Wichy
Cool, hadn't thought of adapting Wicked to the big screen, thats a good idea.
3 years agoby @wichitagalzlFlag
ejk1
Dave, he was being sarcastic. His last sentence tells you that.
3 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Dan
@Dave they were being sarcastic.
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
Wicked. That would make for a great movie. Better than Mama Mia :P
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Daveactor7
@Gardner u crazy. Casablanca, Gone with the wind, Its a wonderful life pwn many movies to this day
3 years agoby @daveactor7Flag
Dan
@ZanyZap Agreed. Wasn't a Wicked movie being talked about a while ago?
3 years agoby @dan1Flag
ZanyZap
If anything make Wicked (based on the book, rather than the musical) into a movie. Don't paint over the Mona Lisa.
3 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
Diaigma
Wow. They're kidding, right? After the butchering of A Christmas Carol, they'd let Zemeckis REMAKE this? UGH! Zemeckis had a good run, but, it's time to hang up your coat, man :P
3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag