UPDATE: The following report has been proved false, no need to worry!
I used to believe that The Wizard of Oz was one of the sacred cows in Hollywood; the 1939 original is so beloved that I just assumed no one would have the brass to try to remake it. Turns out Warner Bros. Pictures has the brass as it has begun early talks with Robert Zemeckis (Back To The Future, A Christmas Carol) to direct its update of the classic movie [Deadline].
Now while Oz-related movies are becoming the norm nowadays (with Disney preparing The Great and Powerful Oz as a vehicle for Robert Downey Jr. and Summertime Entertainment’s animated musical sequel Dorothy of Oz), Warner Bros.’ take is a whole different monster all together. Why? Because not only is it a remake of the 1939 film, it’s using the same exact script. I wish I was kidding, but that’s Hollywood for you.
Zemeckis is currently finishing up his latest unnecessary remake Yellow Submarine which is scheduled for a 2012 release, and then may either agree to do this (I wouldn’t suggest it if I were him) or finally head back into the live action realm with a movie called Timeless. Part of me, okay ALL of me, hopes he turns it down and Warner Bros. forgets about the whole thing. I know there’s money to be made feeding the masses things they have already seen, but some things are meant to be preserved.
Are you as up in flames about the potential of a by the script remake of The Wizard of Oz as I am, or do you not mind watching something you have already seen before because it’s safe and easy to digest? That may or may not be a one answer question.