Betting Odds for the Upcoming Wizard of Oz Remake

It appears that fans will get to put on their ruby red slippers and follow the yellow brick road once again as news out of Hollywood indicates that New Line Cinema is in the process of creating a remake of the all-time classic “Wizard of Oz,” which is based on L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Not only has this news created a buzz on social media, but it’s also piqued the interest of bettors as entertainment betting sites have released an assortment of Wizard of Oz prop bets to consider.

So, as Dorothy seeks to go back home to Kansas, we’ll seek to find all of the details about his new film and make some winning predictions with the following Wizard of Oz bets.

Who Was L. Frank Baum?

Baum, born in New York in 1856, was a children’s book author who found success at the turn of the 20^th century. His first hit was Father Goose, His Book in 1899.

But, he became even more successful with his hit story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz which was published in 1900.

Many fans of the book, and the subsequent 1939 film starring Judy Garland, might not know that Baum went on to write 13 more books in the Oz series before dying in 1919.

In his introduction for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum made the book’s intentions very clear:

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written solely to pleasure children today. It aspires to being a modernised fairytale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out.”

The 1939 film by MGM Studios truly captured Baum’s intentions for the story. In fact, it was so successful that the movie has been woven into the fabric of America’s pop culture. It’s a historic masterpiece that stands the test of time.

From the beloved characters to the talented actors and actresses like Judy Garland, the movie has been imprinted on American families for generations. With that said, this remake is reportedly going to be something completely different.

What Do We Know About the Remake?

As of now, there’s very little information available about the remake. New Line Cinema will be making the movie and they tasked Nicole Kassell as the director.

Kassell is known for her efforts as an executive producer on the Emmy Award winning show, Watchmen. She also directed films The Woodsman and A Little Bit of Heaven.

THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)

Cinematography by Harold Rosson

Directed by Victor Fleming

Explore more shots in our database: https://t.co/r4wvBG6m1l pic.twitter.com/yV9Spx4SRP

— One Perfect Shot (@OnePerfectShot) February 23, 2021

Unlike the 1939 movie, this new adaptation of the Wizard of Oz will not be a musical. The studio said the upcoming remake will be a fresh take on the cherished story and hinted at it being more adult oriented.

Kassell made the following comments about the upcoming film:

“While the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale. The opportunity to examine the original themes — the quest for courage, love, wisdom and home — feels more timely and urgent than ever. These are profoundly iconic shoes to fill, and I am eager to dance alongside these heroes of my childhood as we pave a newly minted yellow brick road!”

This isn’t the first time that Hollywood has attempted to remake the Wizard of Oz. In 1978, a musical adaptation of the film was made called The Wiz and it starred Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Richard Pryor. Despite the talented ensemble, the film bombed.

In 2013, Sam Raimi made a film called Oz the Great and Powerful, which starred James Franco and Mila Kunis. Although not as bad as The Wiz, the film still failed to measure up to the original.

Will this new remake fail as well? Only, time will tell.

What’s also very interesting about this new adaptation are the actors and actresses being tabbed as betting options for the story’s main characters.

Who Will Play Dorothy In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• Sadie Sink (+140)
• Hailee Steinfeld (+160)
• Katelyn Nacon (+225)
• Ariana Grande (+600)
• Miley Cyrus (+600)

Judy Garland was up for the role as Dorothy along with Shirley Temple and Deanna Durbin. Garland ended up winning the role, but a large reason for it was due to contractual issues with the other actresses.

Garland will forever be associated with this role as she embodied the Kansas girl lost in a foreign land and desperately trying to go home.

In this remake, I think we can rule out betting options like Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande as this isn’t going to be a musical. Although Hailee Steinfeld is a talented actress, I can see her being eliminated from this as well.

Of these available options, I believe Sadie Sink and Katelyn Nacon are the ones to consider. However, I believe the studio will hire someone completely different.

For the sake of this wager, go with Sink as she’s been in numerous hit shows like Stranger Things, The Americans and Blue Bloods. She also has experience on Broadway.

Who Will Play The Cowardly Lion In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• Jon Bernthal (+140)
• Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (+160)
• Jack Black (+225)
• Andy Serkis (+600)
• Dave Bautista (+600)

This really is a loaded list of actors to play the Cowardly Lion. Other than Jack Black, none of them give off the impression that they are “cowardly.”

Bert Lahr played the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 film and really made you feel like he was a coward. Lahr was a talented, but lesser known actor with success on vaudeville and Broadway.

Black could put a comical spin on this role while Andy Serkis could also give this character a modern twist.

But, since New Line Cinema is doing a fresh take on the movie, and most likely making it more of an adult oriented film, I expect the Lion character to be more of a lion and less of a scared cat.

With that said, let’s consider the other options: Bernthal, The Rock, and Bautista.

The Rock has so many films and projects (including a potential 2024 presidential run) going on that I am going to rule him out for this role.

Can you imagine “The Punisher” playing the Cowardly Lion?

As cool as that would be, I just don’t see it happening. Bernthal is a talented actor, but Bautista embodies the look and feel of a lion.

If you want a figure that looks like the king of the jungle then go with Bautista. He’s certainly proved that he has a solid range with his acting skills and can pull off whatever version of the Lion that the new film goes with.

Who Will Play The Scarecrow In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• David Tennant (+140)
• Lin-Manuel Miranda (+160)
• Ryan Gosling (+225)
• Brad Pitt (+600)
• Shia Labeouf (+600)

Ray Bolger would end up starring as The Scarecrow in the original film, but he was first casted as The Tin Man. Eventually, he would convince the directors to give him the role of the Scarecrow that he desperately wanted.

Bolger had a lot of experience in vaudeville and was also a talented dancer, which is what The Scarecrow required at the time.

Although the new movie’s character won’t be singing and dancing, I think we can rule out big named actors like Brad Pitt, Shia Labeouf and Ryan Gosling. The odds are against these actors taking a secondary role.

Instead, I really like the choice of Scottish actor David Tennant. He’s well known for his role as The Doctor in Doctor Who. Additionally, he was also successful in Broadchurch and Jessica Jones.

Tennant has the look of a scarecrow and the talent to pull off whatever version the new film decides to go with.

Who Will Play The Tinman In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• Neil Patrick Harris (+140)
• Robin Lord Taylor (+160)
• Jackson Harper (+225)
• Kit Harrington (+600)
• Timothee Chalamet (+600)

As mentioned, Ray Bolger was originally set to play The Tin Man. Buddy Ebsen was brought on board to play The Scarecrow. However, Bolger convinced those in charge to switch him with Ebsen and the two actors embraced their new roles.

Unfortunately, Ebsen suffered an allergic reaction to the makeup that they used for his Tin Man costume and ended up being hospitalized 10 days into filming. The studio was forced to hire Jack Haley to replace Ebsen.

Buddy Ebsen would go on to have a prestigious television career as Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies and the title character in Barnaby Jones.

Haley had success as a singer and dancer prior to his role as The Tin Man, but his career dipped following the film.

Neil Patrick Harris is an interesting choice as he has also had a great deal of TV success just like Ebsen. Yet, he also has done just about everything you can think of in Hollywood from films and commercials to hosting award shows.

If the director decides to go with a darker approach to the movie, Robin Lord Taylor can fit the bill as he did a great job as The Penguin in the hit show Gotham.

Timothee Chalamet isn’t nearly as popular as other actors on this list, but he does have a Tin Man look. Jackson Harper has appeared on TV, but also joins Chalamet as lesser known actors who just don’t seem to be on par with this type of film.

Lastly, Kit Harrington is an option and one that makes me chuckle. Sure, he has the actin chops to pull this off, but I just don’t see John Snow playing The Tin Man.

For this wager, go with Harris. But, I actually believe that they will pick someone not even on this list.

Who Will Play The Wicked Witch In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• Elizabeth Banks (+140)
• Meryl Streep (+160)
• Lena Headey (+225)
• Angelina Jolie (+600)
• Tessa Thompson (+600)

Gale Sondergaard was set to play the role of the Wicked Witch, but ended up pulling out three days before filming was to begin. She didn’t like how the character took on an “ugly hag” look. Margaret Hamilton would replace Sondergaard.

Victor Fleming #BOTD directed The Wizard of Oz (1939). As a child, I was terrified when the wicked witch appeared in the globe tauntingly. Now I lecture on the repeating pattern of globes-the witch’s crystal ball referencing the fortune-teller’s crystal ball earlier. Progress. pic.twitter.com/xh9OqSldvR

— Rose Marie (@rosiemarie10395) February 23, 2021

For this remake, I expect the Wicked Witch to be a popular name as she will be the main antagonist in the film.

Elizabeth Banks (+140) and Tessa Thompson (+600) are talented actresses, but they’re not Wicked Witch material. Meryl Streep is a great actress, but she just doesn’t fit the bill as an evil witch.

I can see why Angelina Jolie’s name is associated with this role due to her success as Maleficent in the two Disney movies. However, I don’t see her playing another evil character so soon after those films.

I really like the Golden Globe nominated actress, Lena Headey for this role. She did a fantastic job as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones and has the acting chops to play a Wicked Witch. I think she’s perfect for this role. Where John Snow isn’t a fit for this film, Cersei Lannister definitely is.

Who Will Play The Wizard Of Oz In The Wizard Of Oz Remake?

• Mark Hamill (+140)
• Iam McKellen (+160)
• Tom Hanks (+225)
• Patrick Stewart (+600)
• Steve Martin (+600)

The Wizard was originally set to go to Ed Wynn and then W.C. Field, but both of them ended up turning down the opportunity which opened up the door for Frank Morgan who would go on to have success on stage and radio as well.

If they want a more sinister Wizard then Mark Hamill is great for that role due to his voice acting skills. If they decide to go with an all-powerful Oz then Tom Hanks is the choice.

For this bet, I would say go with Hanks. He embodies power and awe in Hollywood and he would do that for this film as well. I really like this choice.