According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new version, produced by Warner Bros., is set to premiere at The Sphere in Las Vegas on 28/8. Executives say the audience will have an immersive experience with the venue's 15,000 m2 hemispherical screen and multi-sensory effects.
The Sphere typically shows films specifically created for its unique screen. For "The Wizard of Oz," Warner Bros. collaborated with Google engineers, using AI to adjust the aspect ratio for the massive display. They also sharpened the film and added details. Forbes estimates the project cost around 80 million USD.
The AI-enhanced "Oz" has sparked online debate and concern among fans. Based on images released by CBS, Forbes notes that while much of the AI work appears polished, the modern version lacks the hand-painted backdrops that contributed to the original's fantastical atmosphere. The new scenes have been compared to landscape photographs, making Oz seem ordinary.
On X (formerly Twitter), many users call the AI alterations "destructive" and an "insult" to the artistic masterpiece. One viewer commented, "I dislike old films remastered in high definition. They lose the grain that makes surfaces like skin look natural. Everything looks like it has a bad smoothing filter, making the film shallow and less engaging." Another added, "I like the idea of showing films in The Sphere, but create something new for it instead of altering existing films. And don't use AI; hire artists."
However, some support the changes and plan to see the film. One viewer said they could accept increased resolution as long as the film's shapes, colors, and characters remain unchanged. They emphasized that the producers shouldn't alter the backgrounds or remove the soft focus that contributes to "The Wizard of Oz's" charm.
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Compared to the original, the background has added grass, and Dorothy's (Judy Garland) face is sharper. Photo: CBS |
The use of AI in filmmaking is becoming increasingly common. Netflix recently announced its use of AI in the production of the series "El Eternauta," claiming it is 10 times faster than traditional methods. 20th Century Fox used AI to analyze the "Logan" script, informing decisions about plot and theme. Warner Bros. employs the Cinelytic software to evaluate actors, predict revenue, and sift through thousands of shots to find ideal locations, saving time and effort.
The use of AI in art remains controversial. Many artists oppose it, arguing that the technology steals their creative work and diminishes artistic value. However, some experts see it as an inevitable advancement. Davier Yoon, co-founder of the animation studio CraveFX (Singapore), believes AI is a new digital tool that allows smaller studios to achieve visual quality comparable to blockbuster projects. He stated, "Ultimately, the artist decides what's in the frame, not AI.”
Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, "The Wizard of Oz" marked a breakthrough in visual technology in film history. The musical fantasy series revolves around the adventures of orphaned Dorothy in the colorful kingdom of Oz beyond the rainbow. In 2013, Disney released a new version titled "Oz: The Great and Powerful," directed by Sam Raimi.
Opened in 2023, The Sphere is the world's largest spherical structure. The building is 111 m tall and 157 m wide, covered in LED lights on its exterior. It has a seating capacity of 17,600 or a standing capacity of 20,000, hosting major concerts and sporting events. On 11/7, the Backstreet Boys launched their "Into the Millennium" concert series there, featuring a space-themed stage.
Phuong Thao (adapted from Forbes)
