'Wizard of Oz' gets AI makeover for Las Vegas giant Sphere screen debut

The iconic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” is set to make history once again, this time through an ambitious reimagining powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

This AI-enhanced screening represents a new era of cinematic storytelling.

Starting August 28, the film will be showcased at the Sphere in Las Vegas, marking the venue’s first screening of a classic movie.

However, this isn’t a simple remaster; it’s a high-tech transformation. 

Rather than just projecting the original film onto Sphere’s enormous 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screen, a team of over 2,000 professionals is working to create a brand-new cinematic experience.

According to Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan, the goal is not to alter the film’s essence but to immerse the audience in the world of Oz as if they were physically inside the studio during filming.

Notably, AI is playing a critical role in enhancing the footage. Techniques such as resolution boosting and "outpainting" allow scenes to extend beyond their original borders.

For instance, a previously grainy close-up of Dorothy is now rendered with crystal clarity, and viewers can see an expanded view of the Yellow Brick Road, the Scarecrow, and the majestic mountains of Oz, elements that were never originally captured on camera.

Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz explained that AI is not only improving image quality but also generating new visual context from existing frames.

Despite the futuristic tech involved, Dolan emphasised the team’s respect for the original film.

“We didn’t want to change The Wizard of Oz,” he said. “We wanted to bring audiences into it,” he noted.