If YOU were assigned to direct your own version of The Wizard of Oz, how would you do it?

Question

If a retelling of The Wizard of Oz was inevitable, what would you do with it to make it the best film it could be? Would it be a remake of the 1939 film, or a more accurate interpretation of the original books? Who would you cast and why? What would be the ratio of CG to practical special effects? Mattes, sets, miniatures, or location? Who would do music?

What is YOUR Wizard of Oz?

Answer 1

Terrific question--now let's see if I can answer it to my own satisfaction...

I think I'd like to try filming one of the Oz sequels, either by L.Frank Baum or Ruth Plumly Thompson.--Problem is, which one? So many imaginative stories, so many wonderful characters....I might try The Road to Oz, which brought Dorothy back on a visit, and introduced Button Bright, the Shaggy Man and Polychrome the Rainbow's daughter...Art direction/design would be based on Neill's illustrations, brought into reality. Live action, primarily, practical effects, a Little CG to help out--location shooting (augmented) with interior sets, whatever would make Oz come to life. There would be a musical score, perhaps a song or two, but the film wouldn't be a musical, any more than The Lord of the Rings was---I'd love to see what James Horner could do with Oz...
Casting would be based on availability and talent; few, if any, name actors---maybe a familiar face as The Shaggy Man, just for the fun of it---
What always impressed me about the Oz books was the sense of sunlight, of country landscape,and the absence of deep shadow--Oz was a land where full lunch pails grew on trees...My Oz would reflect that cheerful country feeling, even at its darker moments--Scary at times, but adventurously so--- I'd try to avoid the mistakes of The Return to Oz, which was too dark and too threatening by half, though a nice attempt at staying with Baum's ideas and characters.
My other choice might be Speedy in Oz, a later sequel; unfortunately, George Lucas got to it before I did and, consciously or not, ransacked it for for some of the inspiration for Star Wars (light sabers, floating cities, hairdos, etc...)--the one thing he didn't use was Terribubble, a full-size re-animated fossil dinosaur skeleton that became the traveling companion of Speedy the young hero. I'd love to face the animation challenges that would bring!

Answer 2

I'ld keep the '39 version as is until Dorothy wakes up at end, then have that scene colourised (yeah, evil colour ;)) to show that while she is back in same place, her view of it has changed.

Then add scene that some allege was actually shot, panning down after Dorothy's last "There's no place like home" to show ruby slippers actually under her bed.

Answer 3

I'd have it the same, but have Robin Williams play all the rolls.

Answer 4

probably the same way as before but with less singing... people wouldnt like it anyway because it wouldnt be the same as the old one... people hate remakes....

Answer 5

thats easy first dorthy is just walking along and this random guy just jumps out of the bush and just starts f**king her and it turns into a huge demented porno

Answer 6

i would kill everyone in the tornado the end