Horror version of The Wizard of Oz in the works

Ben Bussey

·UK Movies Writer

3 March 2017 at 12:25 pm

1939's original 'The Wizard of Oz' (credit: MGM) — 1939’s original ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (credit: MGM)

I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore… and I don’t think we’re in U-rated territory either.

New Line Cinema have announced plans to take us back to the wonderful world of Oz, but rather than the family-friendly films of years gone by, this one will be a horror movie. (As if ‘Return to Oz’ wasn’t terrifying enough already…)

According to Variety, the subdivision of Warner Bros has purchased “an untitled pitch by screenwriter Mike Van Waes.” It should also be stressed the project is not strictly speaking a remake of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ but “an original story set in the iconic world of L. Frank Baum’s novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'”

Though unproduced at present, Van Waes has a number of projects in development, including his original screenplays for fantasy ‘Hammerspace’ and animated movie ‘Peeves.’

MGM’s 1939 classic is of course one of the best-loved movies of all time, and numerous more films have been set in the world of Oz, including 1978 musical ‘The Wiz’ and 2013 prequel ‘Oz the Great and Powerful.’

Whilst the idea of an Oz horror movie may seem a bit odd at first glance, it has been remarked that 1985’s astonishingly sinister sequel ‘Return To Oz’ was in fact far closer in spirit to L Frank Baum’s books than the 1939 original. As such, there may well be ample scope for this new film to get even creepier without necessarily betraying the spirit of the original. In any case, horror movies based around fairy tales are hardly unheard of: think of such greats as ‘The Company of Wolves,’ ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ and more recently ‘Tale of Tales.’

A typical moment from 'Return To Oz' (credit: Disney) — A typical moment from ‘Return To Oz’ (credit: Disney)

This announcement also underlines how New Line (informally known as ‘The House that Freddy Built’ thanks to the ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ series) are making horror a serious priority once again. The studio have already had some notable genre hits in recent years with ‘The Conjuring’ movies and their spin-off ‘Annabelle,’ both of which have sequels coming. They have another major horror event movie due in September, in the long-awaited big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It.’

No potential release dates have been announced for this as-yet untitled Oz movie, as it’s still very early in development.

People
Colo. Woman Allegedly Cut Murder Victim's Penis Off and Discarded It in Trash Can: Police
Shenting Guo, 32, of Grand Junction, is charged with second-degree murder, say police
The Independent
Taiwan’s parliament descends into chaos and punch-ups between MPs in ugly scenes during debate
Brawl comes just days before president-elect Lai Ching-te is set to take office
SETHLUI.COM
Owner of Michelin-recognised Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh passes on in his 40s
The post Owner of Michelin-recognised Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh passes on in his 40s appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
People
Gavin Rossdale Enjoys Beach Vacation with Girlfriend Xhoana X, Who Fans Think Resembles Ex Gwen Stefani
The Bush rocker and his new love were spotted out in their swimsuits soaking up some sun in Los Cabos, Mexico
HuffPost UK
Were Putin And Xi Really Spotted With 'Nuclear Footballs' Amid The Russian President's Trip?
A display of power – or social media jumping to conclusions?
INSIDER
The US is worried about an invasion, but China could take control of Taiwan without firing a shot, war experts warn
A Chinese coercion campaign, likelier than an invasion and in some ways already happening, isn't something the US is prepared for, experts warn.
The Independent
Man charged with raping two women in national forest after third woman heard screaming from his van
Eduardo Sarabia will appear in court next month
The Independent
Man pleads guilty over arson that killed family after misplaced revenge for an iPhone
Bui was a teenager at the time of the arson but was prosecuted as an adult
People
“SI Swimsuit ”Model Lauren Chan 1 Year After History-Making Rookie Debut: 'I've Come Into My Own' (Exclusive)
One year after Chan's 'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' debut, the model opened up to PEOPLE about the sources of her confidence
SETHLUI.COM
“The best Hokkien Mee in Singapore” reopens in Redhill after sudden closure
The post “The best Hokkien Mee in Singapore” reopens in Redhill after sudden closure appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
CBC
3 teen girls expected to plead guilty in swarming death of Kenneth Lee in Toronto, court hears
Three teenage girls are expected to plead guilty in the swarming death of Kenneth Lee near Union Station in December 2022, court heard Friday.The girls, aged 13, 13, and 14, appeared in provincial court in Toronto.Three other girls, aged 15, 16, and 16, are expected to plead not guilty, court heard. Eight teenage girls were initially charged with second-degree murder in connection with Lee's death. They range in age from 13 to 16 years old. Lee, 59, was pronounced dead in hospital on Dec. 18, af
People
Barron Trump, 18, Graduates High School with Parents in Attendance: Photos
The Associated Press caught a glimpse of the event on Friday, which saw Donald and Melania Trump sitting front row in the audience
The Telegraph
Russia’s navy has become a near laughing stock
The Russians are giving the world a maritime headache. In the High North, their uneasy teamwork with China continues. Moscow and Beijing have recently announced a “joint commission for the development of the Northern Sea Route”. Plenty of analysts, those of RUSI included, believe that this benefits Xi more than Putin, but either way, Russia’s desire to use the High North for grey-zone activities is only going to increase.
The Telegraph
China develops revolutionary electric car battery that can charge in 10 minutes
China has developed a revolutionary car battery that can charge in just 10 minutes and power a car for hundreds of miles before it needs to be plugged in.
InStyle
Dua Lipa's Sheer Dress and Visible Thong Brought the Naked Dress Trend to the ACM Awards
Falling forever for this gown.
The Telegraph
It’s time to bring back the world’s greatest fighter jet – from the 1990s
The Lockheed Martin F-22 is the US Air Force’s best fighter. The Lockheed Martin F-16 is its most numerous fighter. But its workhorse fighter – the type which balances capability and mass – is the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, the multi-role version of the classic air-superiority fighter. The Eagle was the best fighter in the world before the F-22 came along.
The Daily Beast
Russians Plunged into Darkness After Monster Drone Attack
Valentyn Ogirenko/ReutersUkraine launched a massive drone attack against military and energy facilities in Russia and the occupied peninsula Crimea overnight, with Moscow saying Friday that over 100 unmanned weapons had been involved in the operation.The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces had intercepted and destroyed 102 UAVs over four different regions while another six drone boats were taken out in the Black Sea. While the ministry did not reveal the extent of the damage from the att
SETHLUI.COM
Grab Peach Garden’s $5 peking duck with no catch for anniversary
The post Grab Peach Garden’s $5 peking duck with no catch for anniversary appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
INSIDER
I have fond memories of high school in America. I'm worried my daughter won't feel the same in Singapore.
Jason Erik Lundberg's teenage daughter attends a public high school in Singapore. He worries about the high level of stress.
CNN
IDF recovers three hostages’ bodies from Gaza
Nissim Louk, father of Shani Louk whose body was one of those recovered, told Israeli media his daughter’s body was very well preserved because it had been kept in a “deep and very cold tunnel”.

Latest stories