Over 80 years since Judy Garland and Co. wowed in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, New Line Cinema is moving forward with another new telling of this tale – and not just that, but they’ve already nabbed a director for this feature project.
Via Deadline, Nicole Kassell has been tasked with helming this new spin on The Wizard of Oz. Kassell made her film debut back in 2004 with The Woodsman, and she’s likely best known for her more recent work in TV on shows likes Watchmen, Better Call Saul and Westworld.
After a significant and extensive search, Kassell reportedly won out after New Line was impressed with her world-building skills showcased on HBO’s Watchmen series.
While literally anybody can make their own Oz project thanks to the rights to L. Frank Baum’s original novel having been in the public domain since 1956, the fact that New Line falls under the Warner Bros. banner means that this new film can use certain elements of the ’39 picture that other projects cannot – notably Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
On this news, Kassell enthused, “I am incredibly honoured to join Temple Hill and New Line in bringing this beloved classic to the screen. While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary role. The opportunity to examine the original themes – the quest for courage, love wisdom and home – feels more timely and urgent than ever. These are profoundly iconic shoes to fill, and I am eager to dance alongside these heroes of my childhood as we pave a newly minted yellow brick road.”
At this early juncture, New Line has yet to set any sort of even loose release date for this film, but expect more on this new Wizard of Oz as and when we get it.