Todd McFarlane's Twisted Land Of Oz: The Movie?

Will Warner Bros. use McFarlane's dark line of toys as the inspiration for a movie?

By Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero | Sept. 1, 2009

Dorothy???

There has been talk of Warner Bros. wanting to do a "dark" version of The Wizard Of Oz (simply called "Oz"). Last week there has been mention that Warners might be looking at Todd McFarlane's "Twisted Land Of Oz" line of action figures as the inspiration for the movie. The movie will be produced by McFarlane and Basil Iwanyk.

Empire Online recently spoke with McFarlane to try to clear up some of the reports. There's no confirmation that the movie will actually begin production next year. The script is on its second draft (apparently the first wasn't "sexy" enough). The first draft had the story centered around Dorothy's granddaughter. McFarlane's not sure if that element will remain. Reports have stated that the movie will film in Britain but McFarlane said it really depends on the budget and how much confidence the studio has in the project. McFarlane hadn't heard the rumors of Dakota Fanning as Dorothy. Looking at her action figure to the left, that doesn't look like a good fit. McFarlane said he'd be happy with "whoever will get the most people in the seats." Will it be as "twisted" as his line of figures? McFarlane thinks his line might be "a little scary for Warners to embrace."

Check out the other figures from McFarlane's Monster Series 2: Twisted Land Of Oz (click to enlarge):
( Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, Toto, and the Wizard (with Scientist)).

I think a dark version would be pretty cool. I can't say I'm crazy about the 'bondage' version of Dorothy though. Would making a darker version work or would it be wrong? The Wizard Of Oz is pretty much known for its sugary wholesomeness. It has some dark elements but nothing quite like this. How edgy do you think Warner Bros. will be willing to make this? I think we can safely assume it wouldn't be R-rated.

40 Comments

Emperor Gonzo Noiron Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.

Sure why not, I'm for seeeing the Cowardly lion mauling some demonic munchkins

AngelFroston Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.

Woww, this looks creepy.
It will probably be like Hellraiser or something, lol.

xerox_kitty moderator on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.

This is the only Oz I'm looking forward to! :D

G-Man staff on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.

@xerox-kitty said:

" This is the only Oz I'm looking forward to! :D "

I loved loved loved that series. I bought the single issues but will definitely be getting the hardcover as well.

Emperor Gonzo Noiron Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.

@xerox-kitty:
that would make an amazing movie if they could make it look exactly like Skottie Young's art

danhimselfon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.

@xerox-kitty:
those were great!! I can't wait for the new series to start

Decept-Oon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:24 a.m.

That would be quite good but I imagine plenty of people would be upset it isn't the Wizard of Oz story they all know and love.
I really like the different versions of Wizard of Oz myself for some reason, as the original actually already had some twisted and scary stuff in it (flying monkeys anyone?). Just don't know how receptive audiences would be to it.

.Mistress Redhead.on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.

Return to Oz was a wonderful dark adaption of these great books, i would love to see Todds version.. though im hoping it will be more ala nightmare before christmas

ARMIVon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.

...Well,it'd be a definite R movie.

xerox_kitty moderator on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.

@G-Man said:

" @xerox-kitty said:
" This is the only Oz I'm looking forward to! :D "
I loved loved loved that series. I bought the single issues but will definitely be getting the hardcover as well. "

I was gutted I'd missed the first 3 issues. By the time I'd discovered it, they were demanding extortionate prices for the back issues. So I'll be content with the collected edition (at pre-order prices :)

@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:

" @xerox-kitty: that would make an amazing movie if they could make it look exactly like Skottie Young's art "

I have no words... for how amazing... that would be!

@danhimself said:

" @xerox-kitty: those were great!! I can't wait for the new series to start "

That's why I want the collected edition. To catch up on what I've missed :)

ZORNon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:28 a.m.

I like them boots yo.

danhimselfon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:29 a.m.

@xerox-kitty:
the way it looks I don't think that the new series will have much to do with the last one...it looks like it'll have all new characters...I'm not sure though I never read the actual books

.Mistress Redhead.on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

@xerox-kitty: If you adore that series you should go work on the Dorothy page... its got like no info lol ;-P but the series does look great

The Psyentiston Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.

Sounds like it could be cool.

Naheroon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:38 a.m.

so theres gonna be a movie?

are these figures based on the twisted fairy tales comicbook series

xerox_kitty moderator on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.

@danhimself said:

" @xerox-kitty: the way it looks I don't think that the new series will have much to do with the last one...it looks like it'll have all new characters...I'm not sure though I never read the actual books "

I recognise some of the characters from the Return to Oz (the movie everyone hated, except me) but I never found any of the actual novels :(

@.Mistress Redhead. said:

" @xerox-kitty: If you adore that series you should go work on the Dorothy page... its got like no info lol ;-P but the series does look great "

I have it on pre-order, so I'll do my best once I've had chance to read it... we have a case of a Dorothy Gayle at work, but not THE Dorothy Gale ;)

.Mistress Redhead.on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.

@xerox-kitty: I LOVED RETURN TO OZ!!! it scared me as a kid but i love it now!!

marcelo2169on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.

Grimm Fairy Tales!

Green ankhon Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:52 a.m.

@xerox-kitty:

I loved Return to OZ !!

xerox_kitty moderator on Sept. 1, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.

@.Mistress Redhead. said:

" @xerox-kitty: I LOVED RETURN TO OZ!!! it scared me as a kid but i love it now!! "

You're living in the back of my skill where the brain should be... aren't you...? ;)

@Green ankh said:

" @xerox-kitty: I loved Return to OZ !! "

Glad to know I'm not the only one! It was dark, in that way nursery rhymes & Grimm fairy tales used to be!

Recent Reviews

Review
The magazine returns with a second volume. There's a lot of Millar movies updates plus comics that you may or may not have seen as well as articles and interviews.
Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison -- Part 1
Review
An all-new story told from the perspective of an Imperial Cadet that might even leave you rooting for Darth Vader.
Review
The Voodoo Queen discovers the secrets of her history, the Voodoo Court and more in the latest issue of this Vertigo series.
Shock to the System, Part Two
Review
Get ready for some suspense, heavy duty action and not one, but two crazy twists. This is Captain America on a mission. Brubaker and Zircher are unleashing the Captain America action here.

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series We visited the DC Entertainment office to get an early look at all 7 BEFORE WATCHMEN limited series. That's right, we've read all the #1s (and some of the #2s)!
Comic Book Wallpapers for the New iPad Finding the best wallpapers isn't easy. Here's a bunch and what you need to know to make your own.
Off My Mind: Will the DC Universe Be Rebooted Again After Flashpoint? Is it really that crazy of an idea?
Off My Mind: Defeating Teen Heroes Through Their Hormones Why isn't this 'weakness' exploited more often?
Off My Mind: Should Mary Jane Gain Superpowers? Having powers could help them stay together.
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 Cosplay Gallery The official Comic Vine cosplay gallery, with 1100+ cosplay photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Enjoy.
Off My Mind: Should Superheroes Keep Trophy Rooms? It's cool to keep villains' memorabilia but how safe is it?
Off My Mind: What if the Punisher Shot an Innocent? It's his job to punish the guilty but what if he became guilty himself?

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers] The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.
10 Comics to Buy This Week: 5/23/2012 Our recommendations for this week in comics.
Best Comic Book Covers of the Week: 5/18/12 This week Spidey, FABLES, and CONAN THE BARBARIAN make our list; what's on yours?
'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.
Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse? Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?
Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.
First Look at AMC's 'The Walking Dead' Season 3 The next season is said to be "harder, darker, faster, deeper."
New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Poster The latest Batman movie poster looks cool, and also a little bit familiar...

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers] The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.
Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse? Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?
Off My Mind: Why Batman Incorporated is a Good Idea Batman taking his war to a global level has been questioned by readers but there are reasons why it has become necessary.
Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.
'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.
Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading? It's a GameSpot-Comic Vine team-up as we get gamers and comic fans to assess titles based on Mass Effect, Gears of War, God of War, Halo, and the NES-era Nintendo lineup.
Awesome Art Picks: Avengers, Thanos, Hawkeye & More The coolest comic art you won't see in comic books.
New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Poster The latest Batman movie poster looks cool, and also a little bit familiar...

Comic Vine News

Todd McFarlane's Twisted Land Of Oz: The Movie?

Will Warner Bros. use McFarlane's dark line of toys as the inspiration for a movie?

Dig Deeper into Dorothy Gale

Quick Look: Sega Vintage Collection

Quick Look: PixelJunk 4am

Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading?

Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading?

Off My Mind: Using Imprisoned Villains for Dangerous Government Missions

Off My Mind: Using Imprisoned Villains for Dangerous Government Missions

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series

Comic Vine Weekly News: 05/18/12

Comic Vine Weekly News: 05/18/12

Comic Vine News

Todd McFarlane's Twisted Land Of Oz: The Movie?

Will Warner Bros. use McFarlane's dark line of toys as the inspiration for a movie?

Dig Deeper into Dorothy Gale