The AI-Altered ‘Wizard Of Oz' Controversy, Explained
An AI-altered version of The Wizard of Oz created for the Las Vegas Sphere has ignited backlash online, with film fans describing the changes as 'vandalism.'
As generative AI slowly creeps its way into the film industry, one tendril at a time, the alteration of an iconic film struck many commentators as incredibly invasive.
In April, Warner Bros. announced that an altered version of The Wizard of Oz (1939) would play inside the Las Vegas Sphere, with the help of Google's engineers—alterations to the film are estimated to have cost $80 million dollars.
The Las Vegas Sphere is something of an absurd object, even for Vegas, a gargantuan metal dome wrapped in LED screens.
Surreal images of the Sphere regularly go viral on social media (the Sphere's transformation into a giant emoji is particularly popular).
The interior of the Sphere offers an unusually immersive experience for viewers, featuring a curved 160,000-square-foot screen, towering over a 17,600-seat theater.
Usually, the Sphere is limited to showing films shot specifically for its giant screen, but in order to bring The Wizard of Oz to the Sphere, AI was used to expand and alter the original film.
Google's engineers worked on expanding the aspect ratio, smoothing out the film grain and even adding new background details.
Rather than multiplying the existing pixels on screen, Google's generative AI tools created new pixels to increase the definition and scale of the film.
While the AI-altered version of the film exists only to be screened in the Las Vegas Sphere, the sight of the artificially expanded land of Oz made commentators uneasy. AI-Altered 'The Wizard Of Oz' Sparks Backlash
Shots from the AI-enhanced Wizard of Oz were shared on social media, and baffled many film fans, as intentionally blurry backgrounds had been sharpened, and an AI-generated doppelganger of Uncle Henry had been generated to fill empty space beyond the frame.
On X, one commentator offered sarcastic praise, writing: 'I think this is a wonderful idea. Like everyone, I'd been wondering my entire life what Uncle Henry was doing over by the window while Aunt Em argued with Miss Gulch, and finally we know. He was standing there.'
Film critics didn't hold back, with many expressing deep disappointment that the original, carefully considered shots of The Wizard of Oz had been altered.
While most of the altered shots have the shimmery, glossy sheen of generative AI, the biggest casualty might be the film's glorious hand-painted backdrops, which add to the otherworldly atmosphere of The Wizard of Oz .
The Sphere's AI-expansion has changed these backdrops into sprawling, photo-realistic landscapes, making the magical Land of Oz look like just another place—Dorothy might as well have stayed in Kansas.
The controversy parallels a widely mocked trend that briefly arose during the early days of generative AI, in which iconic works of art were 'improved' or enlarged using the technology.
This led to strange sights, like the AI-generated expansion of the Mona Lisa, creating a bizarre alien landscape.
While the Sphere's version of The Wizard of Oz is far from the first time that a classic film has been tinkered with, the fact that AI was used to not only alter existing shots, but generate new imagery beyond the frame, sparked serious concerns.
The word "vandalism" appears in many of the critical comments— The Wizard of Oz is viewed as one of cinema's most sacred objects, and film fans do not like to see it being tampered with.
Another classic film, Jurassic Park , contains a quote which has proved prescient in the age of generative AI:
"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How 'Wicked' Connects To 'The Wizard Of Oz' By Dani Di Placido Forbes Cynthia Erivo's 'Wicked' Poster Controversy, Explained By Dani Di Placido Forbes 'Wicked'—Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo's 'Holding Space' Meme, Explained By Dani Di Placido Forbes Fortnite's AI-Generated Darth Vader Controversy, Explained By Dani Di Placido
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis Scream It Out in James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay' Trailer
'Ella McCay,' the first new movie from writer-director James L. Brooks since 2010, is in theaters Dec. 12NEED TO KNOW Ella McCay, which stars Sex Education's Emma Mackey, follows a young woman who becomes a governor Jamie Lee Curtis, Albert Brooks, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri and Jack Lowden also star in the new movie from three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks Watch the new trailer for Ella McCay, in theaters Dec. 12Emma Mackey is taking on the system in filmmaker James L. Brooks' new movie! On Monday, Aug. 4, 20th Century Studios released the trailer for Ella McCay, a dramedy from three-time Academy Award winner Brooks, 85, which follows the Sex Education star, 29, as a young woman who becomes a state governor after her boss (Albert Brooks) is promoted to a federal-level cabinet position. A newly released trailer shows Ella becoming governor and straddling new responsibilities with drama involving her family, including her estranged father (Woody Harrelson), brother (Spike Fearn) and aunt (Jamie Lee Curtis). The "comedy about the people you love and how to survive them," per a synopsis from 20th Century Studios, also features Jack Lowden, Rebecca Hall, Ayo Edebiri, Kumail Nanjiani and Julie Kavner. "You are truly blessed if you have never experienced other people's normal, happy families as a small stab in the heart," quips Kavner in the trailer, which starts with her introducing herself as the story's narrator. "You can use a scream," Curtis' character tells Mackey, encouraging her to let out her feelings. "No, I might not be able to stop," responds her niece. But later in the trailer, they surprise each other by screaming it out together. Ella McCay is notably Brooks' first movie as a director since 2010's How Do You Know. The Hollywood legend won three Oscars in 1984 for Terms of Endearment - Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is also something of a return to the big screen for actor Albert Brooks (no relation), 78, whose previous acting credit is 2017's I Love You, Daddy. James also directed Albert in Broadcast News. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As James told The Hollywood Reporter in an April interview, the movie is set in 2008 and is "about how to not make government service and political office something any sane person would flee from." "In a movie like this, you've got to figure out what the heroism is, and chase that," the director said at that time. "What is it really that makes you a fine person? Is it a character that's worth supporting for an entire movie? That's what you aim for." Ella McCay is in theaters on Dec. 12. Read the original article on People
New York Post
8 minutes ago
- New York Post
Rod Stewart sparks backlash with ‘disrespectful' AI-generated Ozzy Osbourne tribute
Foolish Behaviour. Rod Stewart is facing scrutiny for paying tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with an AI-generated clip at one of his recent concerts. The video from the 'Maggie May' singer's show on Friday, August, 1, was captured by a concertgoer and showed footage of Osbourne celebrating in Heaven with other deceased music legends like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Prince, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse and George Michael as Stewart's 1988 hit 'Forever Young' played in the background. Advertisement 12 Rod Stewart's AI-generated video showed Ozzy Osbourne with several fallen stars. iamsloanesteel/Instagram 12 Ozzy Osbourne and Prince both appeared in the AI-generated video. iamsloanesteel/Instagram AI-generated images of Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, Freddie Mercury, Aaliyah and XXXTentacion also appeared in the clip. Advertisement Osbourne appeared smiling with Turner as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll held onto a selfie stick. In another part of the footage, the late Black Sabbath rocker held the selfie stick as he posed with several of the other late legends. 'Yes the rumors are true: I went to a Rod Stewart concert last night (lol) and witnessed man made horrors beyond my comprehension. Ozzy Osbourne with a selfie stick in heaven smiling with Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Prince, and…XXXTentacion,' the audience member captioned the video. 12 The Black Sabbath frontman was also seen smiling alongside Michael Jackson, who died in 2009. iamsloanesteel/Instagram 12 The rocker was also shown in Heaven with the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll Tina Turner. iamsloanesteel/Instagram Advertisement The concertgoer continued to express their distaste for the tribute, writing over the clip, 'This is the craziest most disrespectful s–t I ever saw in my LIFE!!!' 'Rod Stewart really thought this was a brilliant idea. 😑,' one person responded to the footage. 'I've seen some s—ty AI visuals in concerts but this is a new low. We truly are in the end times,' another replied. Several people insisted that Prince would be the most upset about his image being used for the AI video. 12 The AI-generated clip also showed Ozzy Osbourne with the late Amy Winehouse. iamsloanesteel/Instagram Advertisement 12 Rod Stewart has not responded to the backlash.'Weekend at Bernie's vibes. Prince didn't even want his music on Spotify and changed his name to a Symbol to protect his intellectual property I'm 100% sure he wouldn't have signed off on Rod Stuart Puppeteering his face for this tacky 💩,' someone wrote, while a second commented, 'Prince would beat rod stewart with hammers if he knew about this.' Prince changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol in 1993, with many speculating it was a ploy to get out of his contract with his longtime label, Warner Bros. Records. The 'Purple Rain' singer, who died in 2016 at age 57, was then referred to as the 'Artist Formerly Known as Prince.' The Post has reached out to Stewart and Osbourne's rep for comment. 12 Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76. Amy Harris/Invision/AP 12 Getty Images 12 Thousands gathered for his funeral procession in the rocker's hometown of Birmingham, England, on July 30. REUTERS The Prince of Darkness died on July 22 at age 76 following a series of health ailments, including a Parkinson's diagnosis. Advertisement 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,' the statement obtained by The Post from his wife, Sharon Osbourne, and four of his other children, Kelly, Jack, Aimee and Louis, read. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,' his loved ones concluded. 12 His wife, Sharon Osbourne, and their three children Jack, Kelly and Aimee attended the procession. Anita Maric / SWNS 12 His loved ones sobbed as they paid homage to the late Prince of Darkness. REUTERS Advertisement Following his passing, Stewart took to social media and wrote, 'Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there — later rather than sooner.' His wife, Sharon, 72, sobbed alongside their three children, Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39, as thousands gathered in the rocker's hometown of Birmingham, England, for his funeral procession on July 30. The 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' singer was laid to rest the next day by the lake at his home in Buckinghamshire following his private funeral, attended by fellow rockers, including his Black Sabbath bandmates, Marilyn Manson, White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. 12 Ozzy Osbourne was laid to rest the following day on July 31. Advertisement On Monday, Kelly shared a heartfelt message to fans, thanking them for their support while giving an update on how her family is coping after losing its patriarch. 'Grief is a strange thing — it sneaks up on your in waves,' she said in part. 'I will not be OK for a while — but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference.'
CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
San Francisco's last video rental store tucked away in Noe Valley neighborhood
Once a staple of neighborhoods everywhere, video stores all but vanished in the age of streaming. But tucked between a Supercuts and a nail salon in San Francisco's Noe Valley is a surprising survivor: a small, independently owned video shop where movies are still picked by hand and watched on disc. Welcome to Video Wave, it's believed to be the last remaining video rental store in San Francisco. It has rows and rows of DVDs and a loyal crowd keeping an old ritual alive. Owner Colin Hutton said he never thought he'd be the last one standing. "There's been many, many moments when I thought I wouldn't survive it," he said. The trouble began around 2008, when streaming services took off and video stores across the country began to fade to black. But then, something unexpected happened: Customers started to come back, some drawn by nostalgia, others by curiosity. For 23-year-old Kailxn Xephyr, it was a refreshing experience. "When it comes to things that are streaming on your phone, it feels like everything's demanding your attention right away, and these other things are like a step removed from that," Xephyr said. Believe it or not, DVDs are having a moment. Not quite a blockbuster comeback, more of a cult-classic rewind. While overall DVD sales dropped more than 23% last year, 4K editions jumped 10 percent, and collector versions climbed 25 percent, according to the Digital Entertainment Group. "There's been a real resurgence in tangible media," said Lucas Hildebrand, chair of Film and Media Studies at UC Irvine. Hildebrand said for Gen Z, part of the appeal isn't just the films. It's the boxes, the artwork, even the act of browsing. "There's also hunger for people who grew up with social media, who grew up with the Internet, to actually have in person interactions," he said. Ironically, the future of the store may depend on the very thing that nearly wiped it out: a subscription model. Hutton said he had 556 subscribers, just enough to keep Video Wave from avoiding the final cut. "With my business model being subscription, if I had 150 more subscribers, that would be the difference between not making it and making it," Hutton said.
