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Casting a New 'Oz' on the Anniversary
Dorothy
Recasting one of the most iconic female roles in Hollywood history isn't easy. So, to make things a bit easier, we narrowed it down by choosing brunette actresses who we know are double-threats when it comes to singing and acting.
Our Favorite: Anne Hathaway
The Lion
When casting The Lion, we were really going for actors who not only look the part, but would also be able to produce the goofy-yet-lovable courage-less feline.
Our Favorite: Matt Damon
Tin Man
We're hoping there have been some great, less toxic advances in makeup since 1939, as the original silver stuff almost killed actor Buddy Ebsen. Here, we went with lanky, tall fellows with a funny bone.
Our Favorite: Paul 'Pee Wee' Reubens
Scarecrow
The Scarecrow role is all about being limber, boisterous and strong enough to lead the crew down the Yellow Brick Road. You've gotta have poise, charm and some serious acting chops to pull this one off.
Our Favorite: Daniel Day-Lewis (But c'mon, Quentin Tarantino would be hysterical)
The Wicked Witch
We spanned both younger and older Hollywood for this role, as it's really more attitude than looks. All of these accomplished actresses would be great on a broomstick with a flying monkey army.
Our Favorite: Meryl Streep
The Wizard
Sure, it's probably the least amount of screentime in the film, but for The Wizard, we were thinking big. A massive personality needs to be the man behind the curtain.
Our Favorite: Bill Murray
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Thursday 24 September
By Paige
Now see this is whats wrong with hollywood. Instead of remaking a classic and making it suck... why not just make something new, At least if it sucks it won't be ruining an all time favorite.
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Thursday 24 September
By Michael
Amen... I remember my grandparents saying "Why can't they just leave well enough alone?" I think i have to agree here. How could you EVER remake this movie without making a disaster of it? For some reason beyond my understanding, these directors, producers and actors think they're actually making a good movie? Don't they even watch it after they film it? That might be a good idea. And what MORON picked those choices to play those characters?????
Friday 25 September
By Eric
Now see this is what's wrong with message board posts. The article was a fun "what-if," not reporting on an actual re-make. Of course investing 15 seconds to read the 4 sentence article might have been too much to expect.
I vote for Jessica Simpson in the "re-make" of Paige's post!
Thursday 24 September
By non
It might suck, but maybe some people would prefer the newer version.
I'd think Rachel McAdams should play Dorothy
John Voight the wizard
Jack Black the lion
and Meryl Streep would make an awesome witch, she was perfect in the movie Devil Wears Prada.
Thursday 24 September
By Kathey
They have no new ideas, so they want to go back and butcher the classics
Thursday 24 September
By larabelle
where the heck is DDL under scarecrow?
Thursday 24 September
By Yvonne Seamon
the only choice I didn't like was for Dorothy, I think Drew Barrymore would be perfect.She's more apt to portray an innocent child as Dorothy was.
Thursday 24 September
By Terri
I agree...there are some things that just should NOT be messed with...Casablanca, The Sound of Music, THE WIZARD OF OZ...there is just no good way to reproduce these classics...period!!
Thursday 24 September
By Doc
I feel a Broadway Star would be great for Dorothy, I have seen Laura Osnes perform the part, she would be awesome.
Thursday 24 September
By Tracey
THANK YOU! You can't make a great movie better and I hate it that they are even trying. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Thursday 24 September
By ZaXXoN
they arent re-making The Wizard of Oz... they said very clearly, on this 70th anniversary, it got them thinking IF IT WERE re-cast, who to pick.
it is called a FANTASY. read with comprehension, people, and save your time on complaining
Thursday 24 September
By ale4thee
You got it Paige! No remake or set of characters could ever best the original, so why bother? Leave this film and its' characters alone. Just another waste of an article as well! Who cares!
Saturday 26 September
By Savannah
I totally agree with you. I really hate that they find the need to try and remake a classic. Why fix it if it isnt broken? and chances are they are probably going to ruin it.
I will kill something if Miley cyrus was actually chosen. I just wish they would make something new.
Thursday 24 September
By angelo
This IS Truly HILARIOUS!!! As Eric and maybe two others have said - THIS IS A HYPOTHETICAL!!! At least 90% of you have not read the article you're posting on, you breathlessly spell out your beef with "today's hollywood." [T.V.s aglow in the background no doubt], and also have a "personal" list of who would be best in certain roles. Illiterate AND hypocritical! Brutal combo....
Thursday 24 September
By telemusic53
I agree. No one in today's acting world comes close to Judy Garland or any of the other actors. Many things happened during the casting of the original that brought these stars together to make this classic. The only actor that was chosen from the first for his part was Bert Lahr, the Lion. Buddy Ebsen was originally chosen for the scarecrow, but switched with Ray Bolger upon Bolger's request because that was the part he had dreamed of playing. All of the oddities that occurred brought together a phenominal cast that could never be replicated. Don't insult Oz fans by even suggesting such a thing.
Saturday 26 September
By norman vance
I don't think that they should remake one of the greatest films evermade. If they remade it, it would ruin the film.
Friday 25 September
By dacatholicbandorgan
Will Smith? OMG, that would be halorius
Friday 25 September
By blair
Disgusting - the choices for Dorothy make me want to puke (dont get me wrong, these are great people in their own venues) - there is no other Dorothy....some people were born to play (mysteriously) certain movie parts - and Judy Garland was born to play Dorothy. Period! If there were any wholesome young female singers today - Hollywood would be making classics.....which explains why there are no movie classics being made today.
Friday 25 September
By Jasmine
You took the words right out of my mouth! They continue to mess with success and copy the past. I'm sick of it.
Friday 25 September
By Julia
its good that i am not the only one who thinks hollywood is messed up for that reason!