Idol Star to Grace Spielberg's Oz "Remake"?

[HBP]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:36pm

I found this on wickedonbroadway.net. According to this news article, Spielberg has contacted Katherine McPhee (of American Idol fame) about being in a Wizard of Oz "Remake." The article speculates that this might have something to do with Wicked. Also, according to this article, Spielberg has the rights to make a Wicked film, something I've never heard.

Anyway, in my humble opinion, I'd love to see McPhee tackle Elphaba and I'd really love to see Reese Witherspoon take on the role of Glinda (this article says nothing about that, it's just something I'd like to see.)

So here's the link, comments ahoy:
http://breathoffreshink.com/steven-spielberg-casts-katharine-mcphee-in-oz-remake/

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:41pm

No. No. No.

I am neutral in regards to McPhee.

But Spielberg needs to stay way away from anything Oz-related.

And a remake of "The Wizard of Oz"? Dreadful idea.

Almost as bad as the proposed "The Sound of Music" remake.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:46pm

The Wizard of Oz just shouldn't be remade.

Whenever the Wicked movie is made, Idina Menzel needs to Elphaba, or I will be an angry, depressed little girl. :P Unless by the time its made, she's too old. At that point I'd say go for McPhee. I think she'd be great.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:47pm

No need to remake either. They'll both get bashed. And McPhee needs to work up some credientals before she goes about making a remake of a classic. And Reese can't sing the part. She said she doesn't want to be IN the movie, but would like to produce it.

[DivaBrigader]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:49pm

Katharine McPhee has a lovely voice and her "Over the Rainbow" was beautiful but she is not a belter. I will never for the life of me figure out how people think she can play Elphaba. She failed miserably everytime she tried a belty song because she has a soft, jazzy, more Norah Jones type voice. If she were going to do a Broadway musical, she'd be good in something Rodgers and Hammersteinesque and not "Wicked."

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 8:58pm

Spielberg has the rights to make a Wicked film

Spielberg DOESN'T have the rights for Wicked.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 9:03pm

Sick! I got vaccinated against the McPheever and I am glad I did! She sucks and needs to not come near anything Oz related! She needs to just go away!

[mominator]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 9:11pm

A question, or maybe a clarification. Will this be a remake of the classic "Wizard of Oz movie" or a movie version of the book, or a movbie version of the broadway show?

[luvliza89]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 9:21pm

There's nothing about this anywhere else, so I wouldn't worry about it at all. Even if there is talk, it's just that, talk. Many things are talked about and never developed more then that.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:00pm

Wizard of oz does need another film version that will actualy follow the book, but there is no reason for it to be a musical. I have always been a fan of the 1939 film, but do favor a new version. Also remeber it is only a remake if they literaly remake the 1939 film, otherwise it is a new film version of the book, which does not constiute a remake.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:05pm

Actually, Spielberg has a long history with Universal Pictures, who owns the rights to WICKED; his last film MUNICH was distributed by them in fact, so it is not at all out of the question that he could be involved with some producing aspect of a planned film of WICKED. Not out of the question at all.

I don't, however, think Spielberg would do a remake of the WIZARD OF OZ, unless it were a very different retelling of the story.

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:24pm

i've always thought that there should be a new movie of The Wizard of Oz that follows the original book with original visualizations... and no songs. it's been a LONG time since i read it (and i really do need to go back and read it again), but imagine how dark it would be!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:26pm

Well, RETURN TO OZ was much closer to the spirit of the original Baum books and audiences stayed away in droves.

Perhaps in a post LOTR/NARNIA film world, however, there would be more of a place for a movie adaptation that stays close to the original novel. It could be really wonderful in the right hands.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:26pm

if this is true im very excited about it.

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:33pm

exactly MB! Return to Oz freaked me out... especially the closet of heads and the Wheelies! but that discussion comes up all the time.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:37pm

lol - I was just talking about about the film with a friend today. It's funny how 1985 produced all these "childrens" movies like RETURN TO OZ and YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES that as a small child scared the crap out of me.

I actually love RETURN TO OZ now, even the bizarre prologue in which Dorothy is sent to get a labotomy...

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:48pm

No. Just No. I love Spielberg, he's wonderful, brilliant, whatever. Let's see how he'd like it if Brett Ratner re-did Jaws with the cast of Dawson's Creek.
Psssttt...Got a Crush on a Broadway Actor/Actress?

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 10:48pm

lol@ Michael Bennett. I love that movie! It jus proved that Faruiza Balk was destined to make creepy ass movies all her life.

[faithanytwo]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 11:16pm

Whoa, this was all news to me. I'm interested to find out what exactly is going on.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 11:18pm

If he "re-imagined" The Wizard Of OZ like Tim Burton did for Charlie and the chocolate Factory (but not as creepy), I think it might work.

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 11:28pm

I don't know which is worse, the thought of a "Wizard of Oz" remake, or that McPhee girl getting a role in ANYTHING, let alone "Elphaba." The girl's voice is okay for local talent shows and community theater...nothing more.

-Vincent

[faithanytwo]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 11:31pm

yeah i nix her as elphie. definitely.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/4/06 at 11:33pm

I too am favorable of a new movie based on the book. However, I am not favorable of anything with Katharine McPhee as its star.

~Steven

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 1:19am

I loved RETURN TO OZ!

[crazyfangirl]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 3:32am

RETURN TO OZ I could see them remaking if they thought there was an audience for it (although really, at this point, any market for an OZ flick is going to be a film adaptation of WICKED, IMO.)

But a FILM remake of THE WIZARD OF OZ? Arguably one of the most recognizable and perfect and beloved films of all time? I personally think it would be DISASTROUS--both creatively and financially. It might do well for a grand total of 5 minutes and bank off of consumer curiosity, but after 5 minutes, it would TANK. Because there isn't a single thing that a remake could bring, musically or narratively, that would be either superior--or at least as worthy--as the original film. Even a straight-adaptation of the WIZARD OF OZ novel would STILL be a film adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ, and the film industry has already done those characters and that plot as good as it can possibly get. And so I? would boycott a remake to infinity. INFINITY.

However, not against producers creating movie versions of the other OZ novels (and there are many --at least 20 of them, I believe). So with all of those creative possibilities for adaptation for book to film (using the OZ world), I say leave the original OZ alone. For the love of Dorothy, let something be sacred!!!!

(And I shall chant "Remember the remake of PSYCHO!!" like others might chant "Remember the Alamo!!"--till I am blue in the face.)
Updated On: 6/5/06 at 03:32 AM