Image Credit: Tommaso Boddi/PR PhotosFor the past 24 hours, movie bloggers have been howling like so many flying monkeys about Deadline’s report that filmmaker Robert Zemeckis is in talks to direct a live-action remake of The Wizard of Oz based directly on the screenplay for the 1939 classic. Despite Zemeckis’ pedigree as the visionary behind films like Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump, and The Polar Express, most people found the idea of trampling on such hallowed cinematic ground as Oz more terrible than great.
Well, everyone can calm down. While a source at the studio confirms to EW that Zemeckis did indeed take a meeting to bat around the idea of an Oz remake, Zemeckis’ rep tells EW that the filmmaker is definitely not going to pursue the project, saying, “The reports that Robert Zemeckis is doing The Wizard of Oz are absolutely false.” Discussions about the remake were still very preliminary and nebulous — and Zemeckis (who is currently working on a 3D remake of The Yellow Submarine) was the studio’s first choice if it was going to proceed — so odds are the idea will be shifted to the back burner for now.
What do you think? Are you relieved at this news? Disappointed?
Wait…did you say he’s working on a 3D remake of The Yellow Submarine? WHY???
Because I guess he grew up with the original and always wanted to make his own version, I always wanted to make a Star Trek movie or a battle of the Planets or Gundam Wing movie, even Macbeth, it’s natural.
On top of that it’s a fair bet that a huge number of under 25 year olds have never even heard of Yellow Submarine, let alone seen it. Be interesting to see if it still has a Beatles connection or if they’re being replaced by other music / musicians, or if the music angle is dumped altogether.
There are already 2 other Oz projects in the works: one is animated, and another being produced by Sam Raimi. Zemeckis would be entering a crowded arena.
don’t forget the sequel directed by Drew Barrymore
Would one of the film projects be “WICKED” ?
I am SO sick of all these remakes…leave them alone and come up with some new ideas, Hollywood! Sheesh. Is nothing sacred?
ITA. Knowing how the idiots in Hollywood operate, they’d cast Jim Carrey as the scarecrow, Will Ferrell as the lion, Steve Carrell as the tin man and William Shatner as the wizard. No, just no.
that would be an awesome movie. Insert Jack Black as the Lion
This movie sounds awesome…can it be in 3D too?
Put in Sarah Silverman as Dorothy and I’d been into it.
I wonder if people said that in 1938 when they were remaking.. “The Wizard of Oz”. That was actually the second or third time that story had been filmed you know. good thing Hollywood didn’t listen to the nay-sayers huh.
Yeah, it’s awful Hollywood decided to make the movie in color and use sound. Those silent and black and white films were just classic and so memorable.
It sickening that Hollywood is so affixed for original ideas these days, they feel the need to remake everything from classics to crap. That being said, I wouldn’t mind getting a non-musical adaptation franchise that remains faithful to the darker tones of the books. Much the way we are only now getting grand-scale productions of the “Narnia” series, I think a LOYAL re-telling of the “Oz” series merits greeting the cinema-going populace. Lea Michele need not apply, thanks.
like True Grit
i love that movie its my all time fave movie
Deadline reported that Zemeckis would be using the same script as the 1939 classic… an interesting idea. However they did NOT say if it would be a musical or not.
I’d go see it, and would love to see how modern CGI would change it, but I just can’t imagine it would ever overtake the beloved Judy Garland classic.
I would actually like to see it, too. Being remade doesn’t ruin the original, guys. I think it would be interesting. Plus, I mean seriously, surely I’m not the only one who would love to see Elle Fanning as Dorothy?
Wizard of Oz cannot be remade!! It is a classic! Just like no one can remake Gone with the Wind. If the movie is perfect, which it is, then you don’t remake it!!
It’s Not being remade
This version is more based on the book
and not a musical
Plus People said they couldn’t remake True Grit
also based on a book
Why don’t they be smart and hire Bob Z to direct WICKED
YES ! I would love to see that happen ! The movie of Wicked, that is …..
Co-sign. But I think that we’re on hold with a movie until Wicked stops making big money on Broadway and on tour.
I don’t understand the success of Wicked. I saw it on stage and apart from Glinda, didn’t care for any of it. And the wizard had the only good song in the entire production.
I would love to see a movie adaptation of Wicked.. the book. I can pass on the musical.
There is no reason to ever remake The Wizard of Oz. If they want to do something related to it, they should just do a film version of Wicked.
Studios need to stop messing with the classics.
I remember some of my college buddies seeing their own 3D version of “Yellow Submarine” when it came out in theaters, and by the way the venue smelled, they weren’t the only ones.
lmao
There are just somethings you don’t mess with and the Wizard of Oz is one of them – it’s perfect as it is, leave it the heck alone!!!
My thoughts exactly. If it’s not broke dont fix it. The Wizard of Oz is perfect. Its probably the most seen movie in history. Why would u mess with that?
THEY SHOULD REMAKE “Return to Oz” because that movie was scary!
Do you want them to remake that movie in order to take the scariness out? I think ‘Return to Oz’ is just fine as is, nor do I understand why you think remaking it would improve it.
Bleck. They need to remake ‘Return to Oz’ because Faruza Balk is scary.
They should remake “Fahrenheit 9/11″ where I don’t come across as looking like a total idiot.
That’s too bad. Iwas so looking forward to seeing Michelle Obama play one of the flying monkeys.
Aren’t you a racist troll.
The Wizard of Oz might be my favorite movie of all time, and it’s perfect as it is. If they make a remake (which I really, really hope they won’t) I hope it bombs. Seriously Hollywood, come up with some new ideas rather than remaking the classics. What’s next, remakes of Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, and It’s a Wonderful Life? Just no.
“Coming in 2011… Sam Worthington… Mandy Moore… and Tracy Morgan in… ‘CASABLANCA’! Rated R! Of all the mall inlets and all the cinemas in the world, it’s coming to yours.”
PLEASE don’t remake Wizard of Oz. It seems like Hollywood has run out of original ideas for films over the last several years and the powers that be reach into the grab bag of film history and whatever comes out is what gets made. Other than “Inception” every film out there is been there seen that. Leave the classics alone.
That’s just it. They’ve been making films for over 100 years now. Is it really that wrong to start rehashing old ideas? I mean, how feasible is it to expect a revolutionary, brand spanking new idea for every single film made? Think about how many films have been made over the years. I get that innovation is necessary, but with so many films being made (which won’t stop anytime soon), why get your panties in a bunch over every single remake?