Warner Brothers is planning a remake of the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” and actress Dakota Fanning could be poised to don the ruby slippers for the sequel. The studio promises a “darker and more action packed” version of the original 1939 musical, in which the lead character, Dorothy, will be replaced her feisty granddaughter.

My mother vividly remembers the first time she saw the movie as a child in Brooklyn. Having watched only black and white films she recounts the glorious moment when the screen turned to color and the entire audience gasped. As a child, I too was exasperated when I first saw the film and have watched it at least a million times since. Considering the movie is such an iconic classic, which spurs happy memories in all who’ve seen it, I have to wonder if Warner Brothers can maintain the fun-loving franchise without alienating the fans who have grown to love it.

Based on the 1900 children’s book by L Frank Baum, “The Wizard of Oz” didn’t gain critical acclaim on its initial release, but was eventually embraced by generations of film-goers. The US Library of Congress claims that it is now the most watched movie in cinema history.

“The Wizard of Oz” starred Judy Garland as Dorothy, a Kansas farm-girl who finds herself whisked to a technicolor world of munchkins, witches, flying monkeys and a yellow brick road. By contrast, the Warner Bros remake will play out in the present day and follow the adventures of Dorothy’s granddaughter. “You’ve still got Dorothy trapped in an odd place,” explains co-producer Todd McFarlane. “But she’s much closer to the Ripley character from “Alien” (Sigourney Weaver), than a helpless singing girl.”

According to McFarlane: “ If we just do a sugary sweet Dorothy that everybody has seen over and over for 50 years, as far as I’m concerned, that’s too obvious. I’m happy to go with whoever will get the most people in the seats, but sometimes that can change from month to month.”

Actress Dakota Fanning has been rumored to play the lead role in the film, which is perfect considering her ability to adjust to alter ego’s for various movie roles. Fanning is currently in Vancouver filming the third installment of the Twilight” series, “Eclipse,” while her debut in the film franchise will hit theaters in November as she takes on the role of evil and highly deadly Volturi vampire Jane. Warner Brothers has no comment on the possible casting and McFarlane claims it’s rumors, but we all know how they love to deny, deny, deny.

To be continued…