According to a Kassell statement in The Hollywood Reporter, “I am incredibly honored 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 tale. 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!”
In other Wizard of Oz news, Warner Bros. will also be teaming with Animal Logic (The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie, Happy Feet) to create an animated musical adaptation of “Toto: The Dog-Gone Amazing Story of the Wizard of Oz,” written by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark. John August will pen the script, while Alex Timbers will direct.
The Woodsman director Nicole Kassell is all set to follow the yellow brick road in New Line’s new film adaptation of L. Frank Baum classic novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” While no one could ever take the place of Judy Garland’s Dorothy in our hearts, it’s high time new life was breathed into the franchise. The upcoming film will offer a fresh take on the Baum’s famous story, and since New Line’s parent Warner Bros. owns the rights to the 1939 film, the infamous ruby slippers can finally be revisited.
Laurén Alexa acts as social content producer and journalist for AWN.
