AI Transforms 'The Wizard of Oz' into Immersive Spectacle in Las Vegas
las vegas, dinsdag, 29 juli 2025.
Google and DeepMind have collaborated with Magnopus to adapt the classic film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939) using artificial intelligence for a massive screen in Las Vegas. Approximately 90% of the film’s imagery has been enhanced with AI, making it suitable for the 160,000 square metre LED sphere at the MSG Sphere. The project combines historical fidelity with cutting-edge technology to offer viewers a unique, immersive experience, including 4D effects such as wind and scent. The adapted version premieres on 28 August and showcases the potential of AI in the creative industry.
AI Transforms ‘The Wizard of Oz’ into Immersive Spectacle in Las Vegas
Google and DeepMind have collaborated with Magnopus to adapt the classic film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939) using artificial intelligence for a massive screen in Las Vegas. Approximately 90% of the film’s imagery has been enhanced with AI, making it suitable for the 160,000 square metre LED sphere at the MSG Sphere. The project combines historical fidelity with cutting-edge technology to offer viewers a unique, immersive experience, including 4D effects such as wind and scent. The adapted version premieres on 28 August and showcases the potential of AI in the creative industry [1][2][3].
Technical Details and Collaboration
The project utilises advanced AI models such as Gemini Veo and Imagen 3 to refine and extend the original images. These techniques, including ‘outpainting’, enable the addition of details outside the original frame, such as walls, floors, furniture, or characters that were not fully visible in the original footage [1][4]. A team of about 2,000 experts, led by Sphere Entertainment Co. CEO James Dolan, worked on adapting the film [2][3].
Immersive Experience
The MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is a unique venue featuring a 160,000 square metre wraparound LED screen and a capacity of 20,000 spectators, with approximately 10,000 seats equipped with haptic technology [3][5]. The experience is further enriched with 4D effects, including movement, wind, water, and scent, making viewers feel truly immersed in the world of Oz [2][5]. Glenn Derry, EVP of MSG Ventures and visual effects artist, is responsible for these 4D effects and has used technology to create, for example, wind and fog effects during the tornado scenes [3][5].
Reactions and Discussion
The project has elicited both enthusiasm and criticism. Some viewers see the AI adaptation as an innovative way to breathe new life into classic films, while others are concerned about potential changes to the original artistic intent [6]. Ben Mankiewicz, presenter at Turner Classic Movies, emphasises that AI technology can transform ‘a static image into a living world’, but efforts are also being made to preserve the original film [2][3]. James Dolan states that their goal was to make viewers feel as if they were present when the film was shot, without altering its content [2][3].
Future Perspectives
The ‘The Wizard of Oz’ project at the Sphere illustrates the potential of AI in the film industry and opens the door to future innovations. It could lead to new standards for restoring and presenting classic films and may inspire other projects using similar techniques [3][4]. Although much remains unknown about the future impact, this initiative offers a glimpse of what the entertainment industry might bring in the future [3][4].