Why Has There Been No Remake or Sequel for The Wizard of Oz?

It is surprising that The Wizard of Oz, the classic story and the iconic 1939 film, hasn't seen a remake or sequel in recent years. Despite the many attempts, why has Hollywood chosen to leave the original story intact, and what factors have contributed to the lack of interest in bringing this beloved character back to the big screen?

Historical Remakes and Sequels

Since the 1939 film, there have been various attempts to revive the story of Oz, but none of them have garnered the same level of success. For instance, Try using Google. The musical adaptation ‘Wicked’ provides a modern twist on the Oz story, but it is notably different from the original.

‘Return to Oz’ (1985) - A Flop at the Box Office

One of the most notable attempts at a sequel was ‘Return to Oz’ in 1985, which was based on the second and third books of the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. The remake featured Fairuza Balk as Dorothy, Jean Marsh as the witch Mombi, and Nicol Williamson as the Nome King. Despite the film's attempt to remain faithful to the source material, its lack of box office success suggests that it might have been a different story without the iconic musical and fantasy elements from the 1939 classic.

Hollywood's Perspective

Hollywood's stance on remaking classics has been a topic of discussion in the industry. Filmmaker John Waters, known for his unique and often controversial style, is a staunch critic of remakes. When asked about the possibility of a remake of The Wizard of Oz, he famously said, 'I’d route for it to fail' and advocated for remaking bad films into good ones rather than the other way around. This sentiment is widely echoed in the industry, where some films are seen as too precious or irreparable to be tampered with.

Other Oz Projects

While a direct remake of the 1939 classic is rare, there have been other projects that touched upon the Oz universe. The 1974 musical adaptation ‘The Wiz’ received mixed reviews, with many criticizing its casting and direction. Similarly, the 2007 miniseries ‘Tin Man’ was considered a dark reimagining, although it managed to gather a substantial audience despite lackluster critical reception. A notable attempt, 'The Muppet Wizard of Oz', and the 1978 film 'The Wiz', are further examples of adaptations that diverged from the original storyline.

Why Remakes Are Hard to Come By

The reluctance of Hollywood to remake classics like The Wizard of Oz can be attributed to several factors. First, the self-important nature of the film industry often leads to doubts about the dedication of resources to reproduce what many consider to be a timeless masterpiece. Additionally, the financial risks are hard to justify, as over the years, such remakes have been met with varying degrees of success and backlash. The industry would prefer to invest in other projects with less risk.

However, a big-screen release of the original story would likely be more successful. The 1939 film is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time, and any attempt to recapture its magic would be met with a significant fanbase.

To sum up: While there have been various attempts at remakes and sequels of The Wizard of Oz, Hollywood seems to lean towards maintaining the integrity of its classics. Future endeavors in the Oz universe would likely involve new interpretations or adaptations that respect the original story while offering fresh perspectives.