Though bookended by the successes of WIZARD OF OZ (1939) and OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (2013), movie adaptations of L.Frank Baum’s works have been as patchy as the proverbial Scarecrow. So Hollywood are now turning to the author’s life itself as the source for new project ROAD TO OZ. Written by Josh Golden and in the running for the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowship, the script concerns Baum’s early life, which certainly sounds colourful. Born into wealth, he had to leave military academy after suffering a “possible psychogenic heart attack” before becoming a prolific poultry breeder. He also sold fireworks and put on his own plays. As someone who was keen to see his works made into movies, he would no doubt be delighted that New Line are to film his story.
The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz began the saga for which he is best known and after his death motion pictures were produced featuring everyone from Oliver Hardy to Mila Kunis. The stage musical Wicked continues to claw in the bucks and there have also been some rather peculiar references to the stories, most notably in John Boorman’s ZARDOZ. ROAD TO OZ will be produced by Nellie Bellflower (who also worked on Peter Pan creation pic FINDING NEVERLAND), Michael Mislove and Beau Flynn via FlynnPictureCo. Director and casting to be announced.
Source: THR
