The Wizard of Oz Gets an AI Makeover at Vegas Sphere—And Film Lovers Aren’t Happy
Las Vegas has never been shy about pushing boundaries, but its latest spectacle is dividing audiences more than usual. The city’s futuristic Sphere venue is reimagining the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz using artificial intelligence, and for some movie fans, it feels less like a trip down the yellow brick road and more like a misstep into controversy.
Beginning August 28, visitors can step into Dorothy’s world on the Sphere’s massive wraparound screen. But instead of the grainy Technicolor magic audiences know and love, they’ll see an AI-enhanced version of the film—complete with expanded scenes, hyper-detailed visuals, and even moments that never existed in the original. For preservationists and purists, it’s enough to stir up a Kansas-sized storm.
Dorothy in the Age of AI
The original Wizard of Oz was shot for small 4:3 theater screens, but Sphere’s display spans 160,000 square feet of LED panels, curving around an audience of 20,000. To fill that space, more than 2,000 technicians and artists used AI to upscale the film to 16K resolution and “outpaint” beyond the original frame—essentially inventing what might have existed just off camera.
That means Dorothy’s close-ups now reveal impossible levels of detail, the yellow brick road stretches endlessly into the distance, and side characters like Uncle Henry suddenly pop up in places they were never filmed. Even Toto has been given a subtle digital upgrade.
An $80 Million Gamble
This AI-driven reimagining isn’t just a fancy restoration—it’s an $80 million production. According to Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan, the aim isn’t to rewrite the film but to make audiences feel as though they’ve stepped inside it.
The enhancements go far beyond visuals. The venue’s 167,000 speakers deliver spatial sound that surrounds the audience, while haptic seats mimic the tornado’s turbulence. The production even uses scent effects to conjure Kansas farmland and the Emerald City. And yes—drone-powered flying monkeys make an appearance.
Ticket prices range from $104 to over $200, and with more than 120,000 already sold, the event is projected to boost Sphere’s attendance significantly.
Purists Cry Foul
Not everyone is enchanted. Film historians and fans argue the Sphere project crosses the line from restoration into reinvention. The Oz Archive, a well-known fan group, claims that more than 90% of the movie has been altered with AI, calling the result “a disgrace.”
Critics complain that Dorothy’s face has been digitally smoothed, the film’s iconic grain has been erased, and brand-new imagery featuring long-deceased actors was generated without consent. To many, that feels less like honoring the film’s legacy and more like tampering with its soul.
One viral comment summed it up: “Finally, we know what Uncle Henry was doing while Aunt Em talked to Miss Gulch. Just standing there.”
Restoration or Reinvention?
Film experts are quick to draw a distinction. Traditional restoration preserves the filmmaker’s intent, repairing damaged footage without altering style or content. The Sphere version, however, creates entirely new visuals.
Hand-painted backdrops that once gave Oz its dreamy, theatrical quality have been replaced with photo-realistic landscapes. To critics, that shift makes the fantasy world feel less magical and more like a nature documentary in 16K.
The Show Goes On
Despite the uproar, Sphere is moving ahead. The venue, which debuted in 2023, has already wowed audiences with concerts and immersive displays. This marks its first foray into classic cinema, and preview audiences have largely responded with amazement.
The project involved a mix of Oscar-winning creatives, tech specialists, and Google Cloud engineers, who spent two years blending film history with bleeding-edge effects. Fog machines, wind blasts, and simulated tornado scenes are just a few of the 4D touches designed to blur the line between movie and theme park ride.
A Bigger Debate About AI and Art
The clash over The Wizard of Oz at Sphere highlights a larger question facing the entertainment industry: how far should AI be allowed to go in reshaping beloved art?
Supporters say it’s an ethical experiment in keeping classics alive for new audiences. Detractors argue it sets a dangerous precedent where films can be rewritten by technology rather than preserved as cultural history.
The lines are blurry: Is this innovation or vandalism? Enhancement or erasure? Ultimately, the audience will decide with their wallets.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere runs through late September, promising a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Whether you call it groundbreaking or blasphemous, one thing is certain: we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore—and maybe not in Hollywood either.
