Todd McFarlane’s Sick Version of Oz May Have It’s Dorothy

Posted by Ashley Demma (ashley@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 24, 2009 Share

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When I heard the news that Todd McFarlane (the twisted genius behind Spawn) wanted to lend his “Twisted Land of Oz” action figure characters to a movie, I said “hell yes!” …and a string of other colorful words inappropriate in the workplace. But then I heard the news that Dakota Fanning was in talks to play Dorothy from a report at The Sunday Express, and I went, “huh”. And then I heard that Warner Bros.’ intended screenwriter, Josh Olson said he wanted the film to be “Harry Potter dark, not Se7en dark”. And that made me go, “eff this”.

I mean, do it right or don’t do it at all. McFarlane’s action figure versions of the Oz characters are dark and disturbing to say the least. There would be no point in making a watered down version of his sci-fi, bondage creations. You want a kid-friendly, sci-fi Oz? Go watch Tin Man.

The proposed new story would “take place in present day and feature Dorothy’s granddaughter”, according to producer Basil Iwanyk. All that sounds well and good, but where does the over-sexualized, gritty fantasy come into play? Cuz I’m pretty sure that having Dakota Fanning in her skivvies and a collar, being walked on a leash by a munchkin, is pedo-territory that would give Mark McLeod something to think about in prison…

Filming is rumored to start as early as next year, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. This seems like the kind of project that will get stuck in “Development Limbo” for years.

What do you think of McFarlane’s dark vision for Oz, and possible choice of Dakota Fanning?

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  • Nicole C.
    Fanning is growing up fast to play a Dorothy-like character.
    Back in the day, they even thought Judy Garland was too old for the role.
    But you do need a pre-or early teen girl, because too young is uncomfortable whereas some super busty 24 year old playing 15 is just unbelievable. So, maybe fanning if she still can act young enough, but in Pulse or whatever and Twilight she's trying hard to grow up fast, probably too fast for this project.
  • “take place in present day and feature Dorothy’s granddaughter”

    ...wasn't that part of the concept behind "Tin Man"?
  • Yaanu
    Something tells me this is just a way of Warner Bros. trying to weasel in on Tim Burton and Alice in Wonderland. A mere hunch, but I might be on to something.
  • silent_jay
    @aleric

    fact fact fact!
  • Aleric
    Todd McFarlane talks a good game but when it comes down to it he wusses out. Look at the "PG" mess he made with the Spawn movie. He caved so much on that movie he should have had stalagmites hanging from his hair. Basically he will do whatever they ask him to do and then try to spin it is a good thing.
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