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“The Wizard of Oz,” an enduring cinematic classic from 1939, continues to captivate audiences nearly a century after its release. While the “Wicked” films, with their second installment arriving in theaters on November 21, have found success, other film adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s cherished tale have often stumbled, lacking the magic and charm of the original. For a glimpse into the more peculiar Oz interpretations, take a look at the video above.
Among the early adaptations, 1978’s “The Wiz” stands out as a notable endeavor. Originally a hit Broadway production that reimagined “The Wizard of Oz” with an all-black cast in an urban context, its film adaptation struggled despite the involvement of Sidney Lumet, the acclaimed director of “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Network.” The movie featured stars like Richard Pryor as the Wizard, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, and Diana Ross as Dorothy, but despite its vibrant music and later cult following, it was initially panned by critics and failed to attract audiences.
The 1985 film “Return to Oz” also met with a less than favorable reception. Available on Disney+, this unofficial sequel offers a surprisingly dark continuation of the Oz saga, incorporating elements from Baum’s subsequent books. With scenes depicting electroshock therapy and characters like the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion turned to stone, alongside a princess who changes heads, it proved too intense for children and was a box office disappointment.
As time went on, Oz adaptations grew even more unusual. The 2005 crossover “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz” cast the beloved Muppets in Baum’s roles, but it missed their usual comedic brilliance. The 2011 direct-to-video “Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz” inexplicably garnered a sequel in 2016. In 2013, “Oz the Great and Powerful” hit theaters with stars like Michelle Williams and Mila Kunis under the direction of Sam Raimi, yet it quickly faded from memory.
Television also offered its share of Oz-related attempts. In 2007, Zooey Deschanel and Alan Cumming starred in the miniseries “Tin Man,” which reimagined Dorothy’s journey in a land called the Outer Zone, or O.Z. Meanwhile, 2017’s “Emerald City” turned the Oz narrative into a gritty crime saga, complete with suspenseful chases, but it failed to capture viewers’ interest, leading NBC to cancel it after just 10 episodes.
The Oz adaptations got even odder as time went on
Disney
Oz-related works only got stranger as the years went on. Crossovers came about such as 2005’s “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” which cast the Muppets as the famous Baum characters but lacked their usual comedic charm. The direct-to-video “Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz” from 2011 somehow managed to get a sequel in 2016. In 2013, Oz returned to the big screen with “Oz the Great and Powerful.” Despite starring the likes of Michelle Williams and Mila Kunis, and being directed by Sam Raimi, the movie has been largely forgotten today.
And let’s not forget the TV attempts. 2007 saw Zooey Deschanel and Alan Cumming star in the radically reimagined miniseries “Tin Man,” where DG (Deschanel) finds herself in the Outer Zone or O.Z. 2017’s “Emerald City” envisioned “Oz” as an unflinching crime saga, complete with bodies and cop chases. Clearly it didn’t quite work, and NBC cancelled it after 10 episodes.
So the only unadulterated Oz successes, besides the 1939 film (which itself didn’t even break even until a re-release 10 years later), are box office sensation “Wicked” and (hopefully) its continuation, “Wicked: For Good.” While “Wicked’s” success could encourage studios to try new things with the property, having an Oz-related hit is clearly easier said than done. Watch our video for a full rundown of all the failed Oz projects that have existed.
