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.
This neighbor forgot there already was a Wizard of Oz starring a PoC, it co-starred the Muppets and even they couldn't keep it from sucking
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
More options
Context