Interviewed at Sundance, Barris confirms that the script for his reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz” is completed. His version of Dorothy is a girl who lives in the Bottoms, which is a huge apartment complex located in Inglewood, California.
The original ‘Wizard of Oz' took place during the Great Depression and it was about self-reliance and what people were going through. I think this is the perfect time to switch the characters and talk about what someone imagines their life could be. It's ultimately a hero's journey, someone thinks something's better than where they're at, and they go and realize that where they're at is where they should be. I want people to be proud and happy about where they're from. But I want the world to take a look at it and I hope that will come through.
Barris also confirms that Paramount entrusted him in remaking Frank Capra's “It's a Wonderful Life.” Barris says that the story will also revolve around a person of color. He believes that the 1946 version's main character, indelibly played by Jimmy Stewart, was specially made for a POC:
It's a guy who's trying to help out his community and things are going to turn around on him. I think that's the perfect story to tell for a person of color — Black or brown — to get into that because our communities have some issues and someone trying to help that community out. I think that's the perfect vehicle to tell that story from.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
RIP Michael Jackson
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
More options
Context