In 2024, Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Depraved made an enormous splash, and due to this, one other musical spinoff of The Wizard of Oz also needs to get its time within the solar. Launched on the finish of final 12 months, Depraved took audiences by storm, incomes $752 million on the field workplace and scoring an 87% critics rating and a 95% viewers rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, viewers are patiently awaiting the film’s sequel, Depraved: For Good, however within the meantime, they need to think about trying out one other Wizard of Oz musical that got here out 50 years earlier.
Indisputably, Depraved has a novel idea, however it is not the one story that’s deeply impressed by L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Fantastic Wizard of Oz. Initially revealed as a e book by Gregory Maguire, Depraved tells the story of Elphaba, the long run Depraved Witch of the West who grows up dealing with unimaginable prejudice as a consequence of her pores and skin colour, and begins attending a magic college known as Shiz. Clearly, Depraved takes the prequel route when adapting The Wizard of Oz, however there’s one other spinoff that goes in a very completely different (but equally wonderful) course.
Depraved’s Success Proves The Wiz Deserves A Cinematic Remake
The Wiz Defined
In 1974, a long time earlier than the event of Depraved, there was one other Wizard of Oz musical spinoff that entered Broadway: The Wiz. This musical reimagines The Wizard of Oz, however with an all-Black solid. In The Wiz, 24-year-old college trainer Dorothy Gale lives in Harlem together with her aunt and uncle, and one night time, follows her canine Toto right into a snowstorm and finds herself transported into the world of Oz. Together with boasting new variations of Baum’s beloved characters, the musical additionally consists of new music. In 1978, it was tailored right into a film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, and extra.
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4 Different Wizard of OuncesMovies To Watch Earlier than Depraved
The unique Wizard of Ouncesis not the one movie you must watch earlier than Depraved.
Quick-forward to 2024, there is no such thing as a doubt that Depraved has been a large success, and due to this, it might be the proper time for The Wiz to additionally make its comeback. With curiosity in The Wizard of Oz excessive, The Wiz could also be as intriguing to audiences as Depraved, regardless of their completely different storylines. It could additionally make sense to remake The Wiz for the reason that authentic film adaptation got here out so way back, and was panned by many critics. If The Wiz had been to be remade, it might redeem itself and preserve the post-Depraved pleasure alive.
Why The Wiz Works As A Distinctive Counter To Depraved
The Wiz Is Eternally Related
Apart from simply sharing comparable subject material, The Wiz additionally acts as an fascinating counterpoint to Depraved. By way of Elphaba’s character, Depraved exhibits how Ouncesis filled with prejudice, particularly in opposition to individuals and creatures who’re deemed to be too completely different. Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship represents the ability of friendship and understanding. In the same vein, The Wiz makes use of The Wizard of Ouncess world and characters to showcase the Black expertise, and the impact slavery and displacement had on Black people. On this method, Depraved and The Wiz sort out very comparable points, simply via completely different lenses.
The Wiz is actual illustration made particularly to spotlight racial points.
A remake of The Wiz wouldn’t solely add to the dialog Depraved has just lately began, however it might even be culturally related. Even 50 years after the musical’s premiere, the problem of racism in America continues to be essential. With some sharpening, The Wiz might simply current these similar issues for a extra fashionable viewers. On prime of that, any such challenge is a much better illustration of Black characters than different remakes, which change a personality’s race only for the sake of it. The Wiz is actual illustration made particularly to spotlight racial points.
Now Is The Good Time For A Film Primarily based On The Wiz
The Wiz’s Solid Might Be Excellent
Actually, now could be the proper time to remake The Wiz. Following the hype generated by Depraved, The Wiz might preserve audiences’ curiosity on the earth of The Wizard of Oz alive. Greater than that, the film has a critical story to inform that’s significantly essential these days. This can be a significant time to remake a movie with such essential themes. Lastly, curiosity in film musicals appears to be growing, and The Wiz might simply capitalize on the success of movies like Depraved, West Aspect Story, In The Heights, and extra.
Depraved: For Good is ready to premiere on November 21, 2025.
One final plus can be casting a contemporary model of The Wiz. The 1978 solid of The Wiz was extremely iconic, with huge music icons like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Depraved has truly adopted this pattern with actors like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. In 2025, the same solid might undoubtedly be put collectively for The Wiz, which might assist improve the hype to a good larger diploma. All in all, a door has opened for The Wiz as a consequence of Depraved’s success, and hopefully, Hollywood will take this chance.
