Kenya Barris to Trade Kansas for Inglewood In ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Remake

Kenya Barris has plans for a “Wizard Of Oz” remake set in Inglewood, California.

Quincy Jones introduced moviegoers to Black Dorothy in 1978’s The Wiz and set it in New York City. Now, Kenya Barris has plans for a new “Wizard Of Oz” remake set in Inglewood, California.

It’s been nearly two years since Barris closed a deal on a reimagined version of the iconic musical, but there were no details on what the black-ish creator had planned.

However, Barris recently spoke with Variety at the Sundance Film Festival and teased new details about three of his upcoming projects: a Richard Pryor biopic and remakes of the Wizard Of Oz and It’s A Wonderful Life. Barris confirmed the script for his reimagined World of Oz has been completed and will take place in the Bottoms, a huge apartment complex in Inglewood.

“The original Wizard of Oz took place during the Great Depression and it was about self-reliance and what people were going through,” Barris said. “I think this is the perfect time to switch the characters and talk about what someone imagines their life could be.”

Barris’ version takes on the age-old expression that “the grass isn’t greener on the other side,” a metaphor used to convey the notion that while things may seem better in a different situation, the reality might not be as splendid as anticipated.

“It’s ultimately a hero’s journey, someone thinks something’s better than where they’re at, and they go and realize that where they’re at is where they should be,” he explained. “I want people to be proud and happy about where they’re from. But I want the world to take a look at it and I hope that will come through.”

Barris’ latest reveal comes nearly one year after Daniel Richtman confirmed the new Oz would feature a person of color in the lead, World of Reel reports. Barris has similar plans for bringing diversity to “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the classic holiday film.

“It’s a guy who’s trying to help out his community and things are going to turn around on him,” he said. “I think that’s the perfect story to tell for a person of color—Black or brown—to get into that because our communities have some issues and someone trying to help that community out. I think that’s the perfect vehicle to tell that story from.”

Barris also revealed that his Richard Pryor biopic will be a 10-episode biographical series that follows the famed comedian’s life “from the cradle to the grave.”

“From his earliest upbringing—he grew up in a ho house, or a house of ill repute—and became, at one point, the biggest star in the world,” he shared.