A timeless classic is set to return to the big screen—but not just any screen. Google has announced a groundbreaking collaboration that will bring The Wizard of Oz into a whole new dimension through artificial intelligence and immersive sensory technology. The reinvented experience will debut at the Las Vegas Sphere on August 28, 2025.
Originally released in 1939 and directed by Victor Fleming, The Wizard of Oz became an icon of early cinema with its vibrant use of Technicolor and practical effects. Now, over eight decades later, Dorothy, Toto, and their companions are being revived through cutting-edge AI and multi-sensory enhancements designed specifically for the Sphere’s 17,600-seat venue.
“We considered multiple approaches,” producer Jane Rosenthal said. “But we soon realized this could only be brought to life the right way with AI.”
AI Meets Oz: A Digital Reimagination
To reimagine the film for modern audiences, Google partnered with several tech and entertainment powerhouses, including Sphere Entertainment, DeepMind, Warner Bros. Discovery, and spatial computing firm Magnopus. The team’s mission? To breathe new life into the beloved story using the full capabilities of artificial intelligence.
Google’s AI models—Gemini and Veo—were trained using original production materials, including scripts, photographs, music, and archived footage. These models generated new visual elements and enhanced existing ones. With the help of Imagen 3, Google also upscaled the film’s quality, extended background visuals, and even added previously unseen characters.
“The result is far richer than the original 102-minute film,” Google shared. “Dorothy’s freckles are more detailed, and Toto’s movements blend more naturally into the story.”
The Sphere: More Than a Screen
At the heart of this transformation is the Las Vegas Sphere, a 160,000-square-foot arena with a 16K-resolution LED display. The Sphere doesn’t just show movies—it surrounds audiences in them. For The Wizard of Oz, this means wind gusts during the Kansas tornado, floral scents from the poppy fields, and blasts of heat as the Wicked Witch appears.
According to Google Cloud, more than 90% of the film has been enhanced with AI-generated elements. The Sphere’s sensory capabilities turn scenes into physical experiences, blurring the line between viewer and story.
A Growing Trend in AI-Powered Cinema
This isn’t the first time Hollywood has turned to AI. In 2022, Everything Everywhere All at Once used generative AI to elevate its surreal visuals. And in 2024, director Robert Zemeckis employed AI to digitally de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright for the film Here. However, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is among the most ambitious uses of AI in cinematic storytelling so far.
“We’re stepping into uncharted territory,” said Jim Dolan, CEO of Sphere Entertainment. “This is a leap of faith—but one we believe will change how people experience films forever.”
As studios and tech giants continue to experiment with the fusion of classic cinema and modern technology, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere could mark the beginning of a new era for both entertainment and immersive storytelling. For now, audiences can look forward to a journey down the Yellow Brick Road like never before—powered by AI, wrapped in sensory wonder, and made for the future.
