Google's AI Enhances 'The Wizard of Oz' for 2025 Premiere

Google has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the Las Vegas sphere to bring "The Wizard of Oz" into the 21st century. The project, set to premiere on August 28, 2025, will transform the 1939 classic into an AI-powered sensory experience within the 17,600-seat theater. The collaboration involves several key partners, including Sphere Entertainment, google DeepMind, spatial computing company Magnopus, and warner bros. Discovery.

To achieve this, Google has utilized its generative AI models, Gemini and Veo, which were trained on archived footage, shooting scripts, set photographs, and musical scores. The AI models have been used to upscale the film’s resolution, extend backgrounds, and even include characters who originally did not appear on screen. This enhancement has dramatically improved the quality of the outputs, allowing for more detailed and seamless integration of characters and scenes.

Google has invested significantly in AI tools, launching NotebookLM in September, which allows users to create human-sounding podcasts hosted by AI, and Gemini 2.0 Flash in March, which enables photo editing using only words. Over 90% of the film is AI-enhanced, with The Sphere adding sensory effects like wind, heat, and scent to deepen the experience. Viewers will not just watch the movie but feel it, from the Tornado that swept Dorothy to Oz to the poppy fields outside of the Emerald City.

This project is part of a broader trend in Hollywood where AI is being used to enhance and reimagine classic films. In 2022, the Academy Award-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once” used generative AI by Runway to enhance parts of the film. In 2024, Robert Zemeckis used AI technology by Metaphysic to de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright for the movie “Here.”

Jim Dolan, CEO and Entertainment Executive Chairman of Sphere Entertainment, emphasized the innovative nature of the project, stating that when you have innovation like this, you don't always know where it's going to go. You have to be able to take a leap of faith. What you're going to see in ‘The Wizard of Oz at Sphere’ is clearly a leap of faith.

Google’s team utilized additional materials from Warner Bros.’ archives, including shooting scripts, photographs, production illustrations, and set plans. These materials were uploaded to Veo and Gemini, enabling the models to train on specific details of the original characters, their environments, and even elements of the production, such as camera focal lengths for specific scenes. This approach helped define the behaviors of digitally added characters, ensuring a seamless integration into the original film.

Ravi Rajamani, managing director and global head of generative AI engineering at Google Cloud, highlighted the extent of AI’s involvement, stating that AI has touched over 90% of the movie. James Dolan, executive chairman and chief executive of Sphere Entertainment, hinted at additional sensory elements, such as heat, wind, and scents, which are still under wraps. These elements are expected to enhance the immersive experience when "The Wizard of Oz" debuts at the Sphere on August 28, 2025.

This collaboration between Google and Sphere Entertainment represents a significant advancement in visual storytelling, blending cutting-edge AI models with a groundbreaking venue. The use of AI to enhance and extend the original film demonstrates the potential of technology to create immersive and engaging experiences for audiences. The debut of "The Wizard of Oz" at the Sphere is anticipated to set a new standard for immersive entertainment, showcasing the power of AI and technology in reimagining classic films for modern audiences.