Hold on to your ruby red slippers and repeat the yellow brick path: a “Wizard of Oz” decoration is at work at New Line Cinema.
Nicole Kassell (“Watchmen”) directs the film, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Baum’s story has been retold on the big and small screen many times over the years; the most memorable is the 1939 classic musical starring Judy Garland.
Still, New Line promises that the upcoming film Dorothy and the Land of Oz will be a ‘fresh look’, adding that he can use ‘other elements’ from Garland’s ‘Wizard of Oz’, such as the prized ruby red slippers.
“I’m incredibly honored to bring this beloved classic to the screen with Temple Hill and New Line,” Kassell said. ‘While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I’m excited and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary story. The opportunity to explore the original themes – the search for courage, love, wisdom and home – feels more timely and urgent than ever before. These are extremely iconic shoes to fill, and I’m eager to dance with these heroes of my childhood as we pave a custom yellow brick path! ‘
Previous screenplay concepts were written by Darren Lemke and the duo Neil Widener and Gavin James.
Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey of Temple Hill and Marc Platt will produce. Isaac Klausner will deliver executive production.
Kassell recently won an Emmy and a DGA Award for HBO’s ‘Watchmen’. As executive producer and director of several episodes, Kassell is considered the visual architect of the award-winning series. Her flair for world-building is what made New Line eager to hire Kassell to re-enact ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’.
Kassell’s first feature was ‘The Woodsman’, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. She has also worked on ‘The Leftovers’, ‘Vinyl’ and TNT’s ‘Claws’. Her upcoming projects include directing the HBO launch “The Baby” and the film “Silver Seas” for participating media.
Deadline first reported the news.