Latest news with #WizardOfOz
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘The Wizard of Oz' at the Sphere Tests the Ways AI Can Preserve Classic Cinema
The Wizard of Oz is landing on the Vegas strip at the Sphere this summer, and it's not without some controversy. The Warner Bros. classic Technicolor feature starring Judy Garland is being presented in a special limited engagement at the massive spherical stadium venue in Las Vegas, presumably in between music artist residencies. The state-of-the-art immersive entertainment center made its debut as a must-visit attraction with rock band U2. Now in a new venture, the Sphere collaborates with Warner Bros. Entertainment to celebrate The Wizard of Oz by giving it a refresh for the screen-filling presentation that's caused a stir in the world of cinema. Recently, it was reported that to get the classic film to fit the scale of the sphere, AI would be used visually in an extensive manner. In a Mashable story, Sphere Entertainment executive chairman and CEO Jim Dolan talked about the venue's collaboration with Google Cloud. 'The power of generative AI, combined with Google's infrastructure and expertise, is helping us to achieve something extraordinary,' he said. 'We needed a partner who could push boundaries alongside our teams at Sphere Studios and Magnopus, and Google was the only company equipped to meet the challenge on the world's highest resolution LED screen.' It might have ruffled the feathers of film fanatics and conservationists at the thought, with many decrying what's to stop them from tampering with the MGM masterpieces Warner Bros. Discovery now owns—or worse, somehow attempting to enhance Judy Garland's performance. In a recent interview with Variety, Carolyn Blackwood, head of Sphere Studios, discussed how the generative AI's use will stick to only upscaling the vintage picture. 'If there was a closeup before and it was just Dorothy, but you knew that the Tin Man and the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion were in the scene with her, but you didn't see it in the original, you now you go wide and they're all there together.' So things like legs on characters and expanded figures, as well as landscapes, are not off the table. It remains to be seen how that affects characters in the space that didn't have reactions filmed. Will the technology generate a performance based on cut scenes or composite from knowledge of the film or the actor's film legacy? That's where it feels like it's getting a little sacrilegious. Blackwood assures, however, that Garland's vocal performance will remain untouched. 'People have asked us, because they know that we're obviously using AI technologies on this film visually, a lot of questions about whether or not we were gonna do that to the vocals. We didn't. This is Judy Garland.' Paul Freeman, principal audio artist at the Sphere, added that the touches are solely intended to enhance the film into an immersive experience like no other. So while music stems and other character lines get some cleaning up, Garland remains pristine. 'One of the cool byproducts of that is, number one, it gives you a very, very, very immersive feeling. So when you listen to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and you're hearing the real Judy Garland vocal placed position where it should be based on the picture, and you're hearing that orchestra enveloping you, it is a version that you've never heard before, and you'll never hear again. It's perfect. It is the perfect version of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.'' But will using a Hollywood crown jewel to test the waters of AI preserve the classics for new formats, or will it open the floodgates to remixing them with new tech until they are no longer the instantly recognizable beloved pieces of cinema history? The Wizard of Oz begins its Sphere engagement August 28. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Google's Sanjay Gupta Talks AI's Top Two Challenges And Importance Of ‘On-The-Go' Content In Asia — APOS
Google APAC president Sanjay Gupta called on the media and entertainment industries to embrace AI's opportunities, while acknowledging concerns around the protection of talent and creativity. Speaking to audiences at APOS, currently held in Bali, Gupta referred to this year's Google AI immersive production of 'The Wizard of Oz' at the Las Vegas Sphere as an example of AI's expansive opportunities for production and media. More from Deadline Viu & SBS' 'Taxi Driver' Season 3 Set To Air In Q4; 'My Youth' Starring Song Joong-Ki Will Premiere In Q3 - APOS UK Actors Union Says "Thousands Of Performers" Have Been "Digitally Scanned On Set Without Their Informed Consent" In Open Letter To Pact Signed By Emma D'Arcy, Tamsin Greig, Nicola Walker Warner Bros. Pictures Unveils Release Date For Chinese Co-Production 'Tom And Jerry: Forbidden Compass' Gupta called AI both a 'profound pivot' and a 'magic wand,' calling on audiences to imagine the creation of films that 'everybody can watch in real time in different languages.' However, he also acknowledged two major concerns about AI across the industry: the protection of talent, as well as creativity. 'The first concern is talent and what happens to talent,' said Gupta. 'We must think of AI as a tool that is augmenting us, that is a multiplier.' Gupta added that the second concern is about the protection of creativity, which he said requires extended engagement with stakeholders. He also highlighted that amid these technological developments, there is a sense of unprecedented times, even for him. 'This pace of change, I've never experienced before even in my decades of experience,' said Gupta. Beyond AI, Gupta also discussed the increase in screens and screen time around Asia, as well as the need to increase provision of 'on-the-go' content and formats. Gupta shared that the Asian region has 'four billion people each watching over seven hours of stories today across 5 billion screens.' He also noted a big shift towards watching 'on-the-go' content and across multiple screens, with Asia seeing a growth from roughly 2 billion screens around a decade ago, to 5 billion screens today. 'We are watching multiple genres and in a way that feels more and more personal. We are seeking stories for on-the-go consumption,' said Gupta. 'Throughout the day, we are switching screens.' He added that there is still a lot of room for growth in the region, with APAC contributing to around 15% of revenues globally. In creation and production, Gupta also acknowledged that creatives have increasingly used multiple formats and non-traditional media to tell their stories. 'They tell the story that they want to tell through videos long and short, through audio, images or games,' added Gupta. He added that there will be further integration between the digital and physical worlds, through augmented reality, smart glasses and other forms of technology. 'Digital will blend even more seamlessly with the physical world,' added Gupta. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'My Life With The Walter Boys' Season 2 So Far Everything We Know About The 'Reminders of Him' Movie So Far Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Wizard of Oz' at Sphere: How to Get Tickets to See the Classic in Las Vegas
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. There's no place like the Sphere in Las Vegas, and soon fans of The Wizard of Oz can follow the yellow brick road down to the new venue to see the Judy Garland film in a whole new way. More from Rolling Stone Sink Your Teeth into Nautica's Bold New 'Jaws' Clothing Drop, Ahead of the Films 50th Anniversary How to Watch LA Dodgers Games Online Without Cable Post Malone Wants to Pour You a Drink With New Limited-Edition Stanley 1913 Tumbler Collection Best Sites: Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek Dates: Aug. 28 to Sept. 2025 Buy 'The Wizard of Oz' Sphere Tickets While it's been home to several music residencies over the last few months, from The Eagles to Dead & Company and Kenny Chesney, Sphere announced earlier this summer that it would host screenings of the Thirties classic later this summer, and tickets are already selling fast. The Wizard of Oz kicks off with Sphere showtimes on August 28, and runs through September. 'If you've ever wondered if Oz actually exists — it does inside Sphere,' says Jim Dolan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment, in a release. 'The Wizard of Oz at Sphere will put on full display what Sphere is capable of as an experiential medium. Audiences will feel like they are part of the adventure as they experience the film in a way they never have before.' Here's everything to know about buying The Wizard of Oz Sphere tickets before they're gone. GOING FAST Buy Now The Wizard of Oz at Sphere tickets start at $104 on Ticketmaster. Stubs are already selling out for some seats for select showtimes. Log in to your Ticketmaster account before purchasing to make sure you don't miss out on tickets for your preferred date. $30 OFF Buy Now Moviegoers can score $30 off $300 ticket orders to see The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere in Las Vegas when using the exclusive promo code RS30 on Vivid Seats. GREAT SELECTION Buy Now StubHub also has tickets for upcoming showtimes for The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, with prices starting around $187 per ticket. StubHub offers a FanProtect Guarantee with its orders, ensuring you'll get into every event with your stubs. $10 OFF Buy Now Use Rolling Stone's exclusive promo code ROLLINGSTONE10 on SeatGeek, which gets moviegoers $10 off $250 ticket orders for The Wizard of Oz in Las Vegas. According to a Sphere release, the movie was initially created for a 4:3 screen but will now feature fully immersive tech, including haptic seats and even 'custom scents to make you feel like you are part of the movie and have landed in Kansas and Oz,' though we're hoping it's not poppies). Theatergoers will also experience the movie's iconic soundtrack, which Sphere says have 'been remastered and their orchestrations re-recorded to take on new clarity' on the venue's 167,000 speaker system. Check showtimes on Sphere's site now for all upcoming dates. Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
Geek Feed
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Why aren't Dorothy's Slippers Red in Wicked: For Good?
Wicked starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo was one of the biggest movies to come out last year, ad Universal is set to close the story with the sequel Wicked: For Good . The movie is set to come out this November, and we have a new trailer which showcases the aftermath of the events of The Wizard of Oz , but fans have noticed one odd detail. Check this out: Instead of the ruby red slippers that Dorothy wore in the original movie, she's instead wearing silver heels—the same ones that Nessarose wore in the first movie. While some would hope that they would keep the iconic red slippers, it is speculated that Universal wasn't allowed to use them, seeing that the original movie is currently owned by Warner Bros—and the red slippers were something they made for the film since it popped better onscreen; in the original books, the slippers were silver. Though some think that they could have just made some kind of deal like they did with Spider-Man and Marvel, director Jon M. Chu told Variety that it was always his plan to steer away from the ruby shoes—they did reference it in the Popular musical number in the first movie. It's funny that these Wizard of Oz adaptations try to stick close to the books because the movie is owned by another studio, but ultimately the original film is so influential to the story that they can't help but be inspired by it—from Dorothy's look to the citizens and appearance of the Emerald City. Either way, if it gets more people to check out the original film, I'm sure these new Wicked movies would have done their job. Catch Wicked: For Good when it comes to cinemas on Nov. 21.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wicked For Good: Your Questions About The Cast And Release Date (Plus The Scarecrow And Tin Man) Answered
Excitement for the musical sequel Wicked For Good is really starting to build following the release of the new film's first trailer. We'll admit that when we first heard that the stage musical Wicked was being split into two, we rolled our eyes a little – but after seeing Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in action last year, we now can't wait for the second instalment. There are still a few months to go until our next trip to Oz, but we know you might have a few questions between now and then. So, here's everything we know about the second movie… Initially billed as Wicked Part 2, it was revealed towards the end of 2024 that the sequel would be given the subtitle For Good, based on the show-stopping eleven o'clock performed as a duet between Elphaba and Glinda towards the end of the musical. The decision was met with a mixed response, but Ariana has claimed that Wicked For Good was actually already being touted as a title for the project when it was being filmed. 'I'm glad it's official now because we grew rather attached to it,' she said last year. 'It's just the perfect title because this project really has changed us for good.' Fans of the original musical will know that the second act begins with Thank Goodness, an ensemble number that helps catch us all up with what's gone down among the cast of characters since we last saw them. Besides that, we can look forward to the dramatic Elphaba number No Good Deed, her duet with Fiyero, As Long As You're Mine, and, as mentioned above, For Good, which has become one of Wicked's signature tunes. There's also another solo for the Wizard, Wonderful which… yeah… let's not even go there. While Wicked's original composer extended the One Short Day sequence in the first film, he's gone one step further in the sequel, and penned two new songs. Director Jon M Chu recently confirmed that one of these will be a new solo for Cynthia, while another will be performed by Ariana. Wicked itself is a retelling of the events of The Wizard Of Oz, retold from the perspective of its witches, Elphaba (known in the 1939 film as simply the Wicked Witch Of The West) and Glinda (who comes to be known as the Good Witch Of The North). Act one begins with Munchkinland celebrating the news of Elphaba's death, before taking us back through her younger years to explore her years at school. The second act – on which Wicked For Good is based – revisits the characters later in life, with Elphaba exiled and a public enemy, thanks to efforts from the Wizard Of Oz and Shiz professor Madame Morrible, and still harbouring feelings for Fiyero, to whom Glinda is now engaged. It also addresses more directly how specific events in the Wizard Of Oz came to be, including Dorothy's arrival in Oz, and her becoming friends with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Evidently, yes. While Dorothy is never seen on stage in the original production of Wicked, we've already caught a glimpse of her in the opening moments of the first film. Dorothy is also seen – once again from behind – in the latest trailer for Wicked For Good, suggesting the character will be more prominently featured in the movie than the stage musical. Chu told Vanity Fair: 'We tread lightly, but try to make more sense of how [Dorothy's arrival] impacts our girls and our characters than maybe the show does.' 'We're delicate. We're delicate. We're delicate,' he then insisted, reassuring anyone concerned about him taking any big swings away from the source material. It was previously reported that Matilda star Alisha Weir portrays Dorothy in the movie, though this is yet to be confirmed. Alright – we're going to be giving away some major Wicked spoilers now, so if you've never seen the stage musical and want to avoid these twists, just keep scrolling down to the next section. Did you hear that? Spoilers are ahead. Scroll to the next section if you want to avoid them. OK, we think they're gone. Let's proceed… So, Elphaba inadvertently creates the Scarecrow when she casts a spell on Fiyero – played by Jonathan Bailey – in an attempt to save his life in No Good Deed. The Tin Man, meanwhile, is created by Nessarose, who is played in the film by Marissa Bode. She attempts to use magic herself for the first time on Boq (Ethan Slater's character) to prevent her from leaving him, only for it to go awry, and turn him into the mechanic woodsman. As you've probably guessed, the Cowardly Lion is that same cub who Elphaba and Fiyero rescue in the first movie. Right here! Enjoy: The film will hit cinemas on Friday 21 November, with the film expected to be re-released in selective cinemas before then, to allow everyone to revisit the events of the first film. 9 Things We Need To Talk About Immediately In The New Wicked For Good Trailer 22 Weird And Wonderful Behind-The-Scenes Secrets You Probably Never Knew About How Wicked Was Made
