New Line Cinema has greenlit a The Wizard of Oz remake with Watchmen television show director Nicole Kassell attached to oversee the project. The film will be an updated reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Originally published at the turn of the twentieth century, the story follows a girl named Dorothy as she navigates an otherworldly terrain with quirky new allies while trying to return home.
Since the book’s release, multiple adaptations have offered their visual interpretations of the popular text. The most iconic version is the 1939 musical film starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. According to the Library of Congress, this Oscar-winning classic is the most-watched movie of all time, partly due to its multiple re-releases and broadcasting on network television. Other well-known homages to Baum’s hit book include critically-acclaimed Broadway musical The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical “Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” which won seven Tony Awards in 1975, and the 1985 unofficial sequel Return to Oz, which became notorious for its unexpectedly dark content despite being geared toward young viewers.
As reported by Variety, Nicole Kassell will direct The Wizard of Oz's latest adaptation for Temple Hill Entertainment and New Line. This cinematic remake will purportedly draw on familiar elements, like Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, to offer a “fresh take” on the beloved novel. In response to the news, Kassell celebrated the opportunity to take the reins on this upcoming production:
“While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale. The opportunity to examine the original themes — the quest for courage, love, wisdom, and home — feels more timely and urgent than ever.”
Recently, Kassell garnered critical acclaim for her work on HBO’s television series Watchmen. An executive producer of the show and a director of numerous episodes, she received an Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series and a Directors Guild of America Award for her achievements. Before Watchmen, Kassell contributed to other popular shows, including HBO’s The Leftovers and TNT’s Claws. Her successes as a director have now led her to this current partnership with New Line, which will allow her to rebuild a distinguished literary masterpiece.
Considering how The Wizard of Oz has saturated pop culture, promoting an intense familiarity of the story within the United States' cultural milieu, it will be intriguing to witness how Kassell shapes this upcoming adaptation. Of course, Baum’s novel provides much to play with in terms of story development. The source material contains a complicated web of narrative arcs and many characters not introduced in the 1939 film with Judy Garland. In this way, the creative possibilities for Kassell’s adaptation are endless.
Source: Variety