The new 2-part series "The Witches of Oz", directed by Leigh Scott, will make its debut in the UK...
Update: Not on Syfy Channel UK schedule as originally reported, waiting for news of new date
"Fantasy adventure starring Paulie Rojas as Dorothy Gale, an author of children's books based on the land of Oz created by her grandfather. After heading to New York following an offer of representation by a large agency, it emerges that the world she has been writing about is based on reality and that the Wicked Witch of the West has plans for global domination - so she and her friends try to stop the inhabitants of Oz from taking over."
Also starring: Billy Boyd, Eliza Swenson, Sean Astin, Ethan Ambry, Lance Henriksen and Christopher Lloyd as the wizard.
The Witches of Oz premieres on Syfy UK - April 6
The Witches of Oz (2011) - production update
Leigh Scott (writer, director and producer) of The Witches of Oz has posted a note on Facebook detailing the current status of production.
"... During the shoot, 
we allowed the film to grow to meet the material. We followed our hearts instead of our wallets. The entire time, we all knew we were making something special.
In order to compensate for the expanding budget, we entered into a distribution agreement and made the decision to turn the film into a two part mini-series. We had already spent enough for two movies, and the first cut was over three hours long, so why not sell it that way?
During post-production we encountered the same thing that we did while shooting. The film demanded more, bigger and better. Unlike the production phase, we discovered that not everyone in our midst was up to the challenge. A few people we hired lacked the skill, drive, and determination to deliver. Some, I recommend, should seek a different career path altogether. Of course this has happened to me before. Nine times out of ten, the visual effects in smaller films underwhelm. Usually, you just do your best to cut around them, make them darker, and accept the fact that the business trumps the artistic integrity of an independent film. But that old attitude wasn't good enough. We went back and redid 90% of the visual effects. In fact, both videos floating around the internet feature these old effects.
We've given ourselves deadlines numerous times to finish the project. Yet, when we reach them and the film isn't 100% the way we want it, we ask ourselves "why"? Why put out something that you know isn't the best that it can be? We've come this far, why not go all the way?
That explains why the film isn't ready for release. While the two part version is a great mini-series or made for TV event, the theatrical version is the type of film that builds life long fans and warrants repeat viewing. It's just too on the money to not let people see it. And we will release it when we know it's right.
Oz is far too important to too many people to not give it the respect and the reverence that it deserves. People have worked too hard to see their labor and artistry not receive the praise that it deserves. The challenge to making a great movie is insuring that the sum is equal to the greatness of its parts. That takes a lot of time and a lot of detailed work.
There is a saying in Hollywood. Fast, cheap, good….pick two. We've made a movie that hangs with studio releases for a fraction of the cost. That means we can either make it fast or good. We choose good.
This is also the first film I've made that had enough interest to warrant speculation and rumors. Let me clear those up. The film is not a musical. Yes, there are two versions of the film and both will be available. Yes, we will be putting the film into theaters. No, it won't be on February 18th. And as for a sequel…well, I can't rely confirm or deny that at this point...
So there you have the update. It's a story of courage, heart, brains and realizing that you have all the skills and tools you need inside as long as you believe in yourself.
Hmmm…that's funny. Now where have I heard THAT story before?
They do say you should write what you know."
Wicked - costume design part 2
WICKED takes you on another exclusive behind-the-scenes journey.
Behind the Emerald Curtain: Costume Edition welcomes you to the costume shop to learn about the delicate beading that makes the costumes of WICKED so dazzling.
Oz, the Great and Powerful (2013?)
It was previously mentioned that Robert Downey Jr. would star as the Wizard, and then there were murmurs about Johnny Depp taking on the role but now it appears that James Franco will star in this prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Filming to begin in July at Walt Disney Studios.
James Franco and Mila Kunis
Movie has begun production, details of cast
Update: Rachel Weisz to play evil witch? (in negotiations)
Update: Michelle Williams has signed on to play Glinda, the good witch.
From Vulture: "The closely guarded Oz script, reimagined most recently by playwright turned screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole; Inkheart), tells the story of the origins of the Wizard, and of Oz's infamous witches like Glinda, who becomes the Good Witch of the North, and Evanorah, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the East (though best remembered as the new, ruby-slippered sub-basement of Dorothy’s farmhouse).
After a recent meeting with Sam Raimi and Wizard James Franco, all agreed that Mila Kunis would be perfect for the part of Theodorah, the younger sister of Evanorah who goes on to become the Wicked Witch of the West and, of course, to cackle iconic lines like, “I’ll get you, my pretty … and your little dog, too!” With her involvement assured, we're told that Franco finally agreed to do the picture."
Re-posting plot details found at Pajiba: "We also knew that the movie would focus on a younger wizard, and his origins in the Land of Oz. Thanks to the Hollywood Cog, we now know quite a few details about Mitchell Kapner’s story, which would have the Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enter Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat (yes, I can see that) — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to Fight the Evil Witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz."
Andrew Lloyd Webber presents The Wizard of Oz
It's the classic story by L. Frank Baum that continues to be retold again and again. This time The Wizard of Oz is getting revamped by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be unveiled at the London Palladium on March 1st, 2011. After finding his Dorothy (Danielle Hope) through the television series Over the Rainbow, the musical will include Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera) as the Wizard and include new songs written by Webber and Tim Rice. (Webber and Rice had worked together on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita but 34 years have passed since their last collaboration.)
Wishing that a certain baroness would go see it and tell me all about it!!
Michael Crawford as The WizardRoyal Variety Performance by Danielle Hope
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Plot details from Pajiba"We also knew that the movie would focus on a younger wizard, and his origins in the Land of Oz. Thanks to the Hollywood Cog, we now know quite a few details about Mitchell Kapner’s story, which would have the Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enter Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat (yes, I can see that) — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to Fight the Evil Witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz."
Wicked - costume design
Have you seen it? I'm excited to see my 4th performance of it this fall!
 |
| Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda |
What covers the feet of the actors? One or more pairs from the 240 pairs of handmade shoes for each new production of Wicked.
As many as 250 artisans and craftspeople in the US and overseas work on a new production of Wicked.
The ruffles in the skirt of Elphaba’s Wicked Witch dress require 40 yards of fabric to complete.
The fabric for the Shiz uniforms was designed by Susan Hilferty exclusively for Wicked and is custom printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. No two “uniforms” are alike.
It takes 424 manhours per week to maintain the costumes for Wicked on Broadway.
There are a minimum of 6 loads of laundry for every performance of Wicked.
See costume design part 2
Wizard of Oz - more adaptations?
It seems that due to the popularity of Alice in Wonderland, there's increased momentum behind proposed remakes of The Wizard of Oz.
1. Originally slated for Robert Downey Jr. but the role has landed on James Franco's lap...for Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful. Franco would take on role of Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs (or O.Z. for short, as the rest of the initials spell out "PINHEAD"), a circus magician from Omaha who mistakenly ends up in Oz. (cinematical) Thanks to Fictional100 for her Twitter heads up!
Warner Brothers and its sister company New Line have 2 possible adaptations being considered:
2. New Line is planning one version to be produced by Temple Hill (company who've had success with Twilight) with script to be written by Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After)
3. Warner Brothers is also prepping a darker "Oz", where the granddaughter of Dorothy will return to Oz to fight evil. Players include screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) and producer Basil Iwanyk (Clash of the Titans). Todd Macfarlane has also been mentioned as being involved in some way which suggests that this will not be a family-friendly film.
4. Wicked the movie...
We're still waiting on news of the movie adaptation of the hugely popular Broadway musical. Plans to bring it to the big screen seem to be delayed only by its continued success on stage and they don't want the movie to cut into the returns for the stage box office. As an avid fan of Wicked, I'm waiting on this one with great expectation!
- Stephen Schwartz, composer of the Broadway hit mentioned in an interview at Western Michigan University that a movie version of Wicked is in the works but will be released in about 5 years.
- Gregory Maguire mentions in interview done in February 2009:
"Universal plans to film Wicked the Musical for a 2014 release, but the timing is very much in the air. I also sold the rights to ABC TV to make a non-musical television version that will not be based on Winnie Holtzman’s script. "
Update - directors being considered for the project include J.J. Abrams, James Mangold, Rob Marshall and Ryan Murphy
5. The Witches of Oz (2011)
Directed by Leigh Scott, this one has been released and we even have a trailer preview for it. Christopher Lloyd as the Wizard in modern-day telling. Coming soon...
6. Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2011)
John Boorman is planning a $25 million computer-generated animated version of the classic > ain't it cool news, > article in Variety
7. Dark Oz is an upcoming adaptation of the Calibre Comics series, Oz. It is to be directed by Pearry Teo and star Pras Micheal.
8. Dorothy of Oz, an animated version based on Baum's grandson's tale. Starring Lea Michele, Dan Akyroyd, Kelsey Grammar, Jim Belushi, Martin Short, Hugh Dancy, Patrick Stewart...
9. Oz by Polish Brothers, teaser popped up on Youtube fueling speculation that they are planning on joining the Oz fray of films...
Sources:
L.A.Times article
Cinematical
Latest Posts
