Google is using powerful AI to transform the beloved 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” for the massive Las Vegas Sphere screen. This exciting project shows how new technology can make old movies feel fresh and immersive for today’s audiences.
What's Happening with The Wizard of Oz?
The Las Vegas Sphere has a huge screen that wraps around viewers. It’s 160,000 square feet (about the size of three football fields) and shows images in super-high 16K resolution. That’s four times sharper than the best TVs in most homes today!
Regular movies, even remastered ones, don’t have enough detail to look good on such a massive screen. This is especially true for older films like “The Wizard of Oz,” which was made over 80 years ago with much simpler cameras.
To solve this problem, Google’s teams from Cloud and DeepMind are using special AI tools to enhance the movie. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, they’re doing much more than just making the picture clearer.
How Google's AI is Enhancing the Movie
Google is using three main AI technologies for this project:
1. Fine-tuned Gemini models These are the same type of AI systems that power ChatGPT’s image creation tools but specially trained for this movie
2. Veo 2 A visual enhancement AI that can add details to images
3. Imagen 3 An AI that can create new images that match the style of existing ones
With these tools, Google is making three big improvements to the film:
1. Making the Picture Super Sharp
The AI analyzes every frame of the movie and adds details that match the original style. This is similar to how Adobe’s AI tools can enhance videos in Premiere Pro but at a much higher level of detail.
2. Extending What’s in the Frame
Old movies were filmed for small screens with narrow frames. The AI is extending what we see beyond the original edges, showing more of the scene that was never captured on film.
3. Adding Characters That Were Off-Camera
In some scenes, characters were mentioned but not shown because old cameras couldn’t capture everyone at once. The AI is now adding these characters to make scenes feel more complete.
For example, in an early scene where Dorothy talks with Aunt Em and Miss Gulch, Uncle Henry was mentioned but not shown. In the new version, Uncle Henry appears in the scene, and we see more of the house around them.
Training AI with Movie History
To make sure the AI gets everything right, Google didn’t just use the movie itself. They worked with Warner Bros. to access original materials from their archives, including:
– Original scripts from the movie
– Behind-the-scenes photos
– Drawings of the sets
– Technical notes about the cameras used
– Plans showing how the sets were built
All these materials were fed into the AI systems so they could learn exactly how the movie should look. This approach is similar to how Microsoft trains its AI security systems with large datasets to recognize patterns.
“The archive materials were crucial for maintaining authenticity,” explains film historian Dr. Eleanor Wright. “When AI needs to recreate a character or extend a set, having access to original production materials ensures the results align with the filmmakers’ original intentions.”
The Challenge of 16K Resolution
Most movies today are made in 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). Even IMAX films usually reach only 6K. The Sphere needs 16K (16,000 x 16,000 pixels), which means creating 16 times more visual information than a standard 4K image!
Google’s AI doesn’t just make existing details clearer – it has to create new visual information that wasn’t in the original film. This is a much bigger challenge than the AI image generation most people are familiar with.
The team used a step-by-step process:
1. Clean up the original film
2. Enhance the resolution with neural networks
3. Add details to important elements like faces
4. Extend backgrounds and add environmental details
5. Add missing characters
6. Make sure colors and style match the original
Keeping the Movie's Soul Intact
Some movie fans worry that changing classic films might ruin what made them special. The team at Google and Sphere Entertainment thought carefully about this issue.
“We established a principle early on that we wouldn’t change the story or alter the fundamental character of the film,” says James Dolan, executive chairman of Sphere Entertainment. “The enhancements are about expanding the visual experience, not rewriting cinema history.”
The team focused on:
– Only showing what was implied to be just outside the camera view
– Keeping the same visual style as the original
– Not changing any of the actors’ performances
– Making the experience more immersive without changing the story
Beyond Just Visuals: A Full Sensory Experience
When “The Wizard of Oz” debuts at the Sphere on August 28th, 2025, it won’t just look different – it will be a full sensory experience. James Dolan hints that the presentation might include:
– Temperature changes to match scenes (like the heat of the Emerald City)
– Wind effects during the tornado scene
– Special scents that match different environments in the film
These elements will make viewers feel like they’re actually inside the movie, similar to how generative AI is creating immersive therapeutic experiences in other fields.
What This Means for the Future of Movies
This project shows how AI might change how we experience classic films. The techniques Google developed could be used for other old movies, opening up new ways to experience cinema’s greatest works.
For Google, this project demonstrates their AI capabilities in a creative way that goes beyond typical business uses. It shows how their tools can solve complex creative challenges, positioning them as leaders in entertainment technology.
When Can You See It?
“The Wizard of Oz” will premiere at the Las Vegas Sphere on August 28th, 2025. Tickets will likely go on sale in early 2025, with prices similar to other Sphere shows (typically $100-$300 depending on seats).
This will be the first classic film to receive this treatment at the Sphere, which has previously featured only original productions designed specifically for the venue.
FAQs
According to Ravi Rajamani from Google Cloud, “AI has touched over 90% of the movie.” However, this doesn’t mean the movie is completely different. Most changes involve enhancing resolution, extending backgrounds, and occasionally adding characters who were mentioned but not shown in scenes. The story, dialogue, and performances remain unchanged.
No. This is a special presentation designed specifically for the Las Vegas Sphere. The original 1939 film will continue to exist in its original form and be available through traditional formats. This project creates a complementary experience rather than replacing the classic version.
Google went to extraordinary lengths to ensure accuracy by training their AI models on Warner Bros.’ archives, including original scripts, production photos, set designs, and technical documentation. While no AI recreation can be 100% perfect, the team prioritized historical accuracy and consistency with the original filmmakers’ vision.
While the technology could technically do this, the team behind the Wizard of Oz project established strict ethical guidelines that prohibited changing the narrative or fundamental character of the film. The focus was on enhancement rather than alteration. However, as this technology develops, the film industry will need to establish clear ethical standards for its use.
Traditional restoration focuses on repairing damage and enhancing the existing frames of film. Colorization adds color to black and white footage. This project goes much further by extending what’s visible beyond the original frame boundaries and occasionally adding elements that weren’t captured in the original filming. It’s a much more comprehensive transformation.
If this presentation is successful, it’s likely that other classic films will be enhanced for the Sphere or similar venues. Films with distinct visual environments and journey narratives (like “2001: A Space Odyssey” or “Star Wars”) would be natural candidates for this treatment.
Neither Google nor Sphere Entertainment has disclosed the budget for this project. However, given the cutting-edge technology involved and the extensive computational resources required, industry experts estimate the cost to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
While the specific implementation is designed for the Sphere’s unique display, the AI enhancement technologies could eventually be adapted for home viewing. Future releases of classic films might offer “extended versions” that use similar techniques, though at a scale appropriate for home displays.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for a Timeless Classic
The AI enhancement of “The Wizard of Oz” for the Las Vegas Sphere brings together movie history and cutting-edge technology. By using advanced AI to enhance one of the most beloved films ever made, Google and Sphere Entertainment are exploring new ways for us to experience and preserve our cultural heritage.
While some movie purists might debate this approach, the project offers an exciting glimpse into the future of entertainment where AI doesn’t replace human creativity but extends it in new directions. As technology continues to advance, we’ll likely see more projects that bridge the gap between classic content and new immersive experiences.
When Dorothy steps into the colorful world of Oz on the Sphere’s massive screen next year, she’ll be taking audiences on a journey that connects the golden age of Hollywood with the AI-powered future of entertainment.
