The Wizard of Oz at Sphere debuts in Las Vegas amid controversy over AI changes

The Sphere in Las Vegas has unveiled a reimagined presentation of The Wizard of Oz, combining artificial intelligence technology with augmented reality in a large-scale cinematic event. The project has prompted both intrigue and concern over how classic films are adapted for new formats.

The venue, a 160,000 square-foot LED arena, has been designed to immerse audiences in a panoramic viewing experience. Highlights include drone-powered flying monkeys, an indoor tornado and augmented reality sequences that surround the audience.

To achieve this effect, every frame of the original 1939 film was deconstructed, reformatted and reconstructed with the assistance of Google-powered AI.

Producers explained that the original film was unsuitable for direct projection onto the Sphere’s vast 16K screens, leading to the decision to enhance and extrapolate missing details.

This included digitally reconstructing full bodies when only partial shots existed and adjusting scenes to fit the spherical format.

While the visual scale impressed audiences, critics noted that the AI enhancements altered key performances. Observers pointed to changes in Judy Garland’s portrayal of Dorothy, whose expressions and features were modified by AI processing, resulting in a plastic-like effect.

Crowd scenes, including those in Munchkinland, were also noted for AI-generated background figures that appeared unnaturally repetitive.

The Sphere version of the film runs 77 minutes, shortened from the original’s 102 minutes, both to suit modern pacing and to remove scenes deemed too difficult to adapt.

Additional features such as snow effects during the poppy field sequence and bursts of fire alongside the Wizard’s projection further emphasise the production’s live-event qualities.

The adaptation has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the innovation while others argueing that AI reconstruction compromises the humanity of the original performances.