Movies

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

By  · Published on August 24th, 2009

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?