With the amount of backlash reboots have received in recent years, it’s always a bit of a surprise when a movie studio announces yet another reboot, er, “reimagining.” The latest classic that will be getting the modern day makeover? The Wizard of Oz.
Twitter users were quick to respond, because, of course.
While the 1939 MGM film that made Judy Garland a household name is indeed a classic, it is not, as some fans might believe, an original. In fact, the film that many hold near and dear to their hearts is actually the tenth (that’s number 10!) remake of the same story. Even the book the films are based on is just the first book in a series of 14 novels, over 80 short stories, 40 scripts and 200 poems–all written by L. Frank Baum.
There was even a story where the Tin Man and Scarecrow are openly gay and live in Winkie County. But the story some are craving is the story of Dorothy and what some say is her trans girlfriend, Ozma.
Baum didn’t purposely write a trans girl’s story; Ozma was born female and was transitioned as an infant into a male by the wicked witch, Mombi, where he lives as Tip. Later, Mombi changes him back to his original form, as a woman.
Despite how many wild and gleefully weird stories exist in the Oz that Baum created, only the first novel has been remade over and over. In fact, it has been remade over 50 times. Most famously, of course, with the 1978 musical, The Wiz.
Reports thus far have confirmed that Warner Bros hired Watchmen’s Nicole Kassell to direct, and thus far, the film is not expected to be a musical, which might be a good thing considering Wicked, the film based on the musical that is based on the book that is a reimagining of the original books (PHEW) by Gregory Maguire is also heading to the big screen.
May the best Oz win!