We May Be Headed Back To ‘Oz’ In The Near Future

Remakes and Sequels and Re-imaginings, Oh my.

Yes, I realize that was unnecessary, which is precisely the way that some people may feel about the fact that there are two more “Wizard of Oz” related projects in the works. After the recent success of “Alice in Wonderland,” it seems Hollywood is quickly jumping on the chance to bank off of another existing franchise. The LA Times reports that Warner Brothers and New Line are working on developing two different scripts based on Dorothy and her friends.

The Warner Brothers untitled project has been scripted by Josh Olson, who we know best for writing “The History of Violence.” According to The Times, Olson’s script puts the spotlight on Dorothy’s granddaughter and her return to Oz to “fight evil.” With the involvement of “Spawn’s” Todd McFarland, this version looks like it will probably be a little darker, and a lot more adult than the version that we’re used to.

There is not much to report about New Line’s project, “Oz,” except that it has been written by Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After) and will be produced by Temple Hill, who is currently having a huge success with the Twilight Series. I’m hoping that like Olson’s version, Lemke finds a way to revisit Oz without simply “remaking” the original film.

Until there are more developments on these projects, it’s difficult to say which (if either) would be the better choice. Keep in mind we also have “Wicked” due out in 2012, which is based on the Broadway musical about the wicked witch [which, in turn, was based on the novel by Gregory Maguire - Ed.]. I think I may be of the “if it ain’t broke…” frame of mind, but it seems Hollywood is hell-bent on revisiting every single one of my childhood favorites.

This isn’t the first time we’ve been back to Oz.  In 1985, we got the “sequel” “Return to OZ” (which scared the bejeezus out of me,) and in 2007 The Sci-Fi Channel (now SYFY) gave us “The Tin Man,” starring Zooey Deschanel.