Sphere Gets Wicked: ‘Wizard of Oz' Experience Coming to Vegas Venue
A brand new 'Wizard of Oz' experience will play at the venue, which is owned by Sphere Entertainment (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment), starting in August 2025. The original 1939 Victor Fleming film will be screened on the massive, wraparound LED screen, which comes in at a 16K resolution, with 4D physical effects, with AI being used to fill out the image on the massive screen.
'Our goal for The Sphere Experience is a diverse slate that leverages Sphere's power as an experiential medium,' said Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment. 'The Wizard of Oz' will be presented as a fully immersive experience in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, Google, and Magnopus, using cutting-edge technologies to enhance the original film. But a press release notes that 'The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' will 'maintain the integrity of the original while pushing the boundaries of Sphere's experiential medium.'
In addition to 'Wizard of Oz,' Sphere also unveiled 'From the Edge,' an athlete-centric experience set to debut in 2026. Directed by Academy Award winners E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin ('Free Solo') 'From The Edge' will feature premier athletes – free diver Alenka Artnik, skier Markus Eder, rock climber Alex Honnold, BASE jumper Katie Hansen Lajeunesse, and surfer Kai Lenny – and take audiences inside the world of extreme sports.
When Sphere opened to the public in the fall of 2023, U2 was its inaugural act, but there has also been a film running since then – 'Postcard from Earth,' a 55-minute pseudo-documentary directed by Darren Aronofsky. The movie has been running since and has been extremely popular, as a way of sampling the incredible sound and visuals Sphere has to offer, without shelling out for whatever U2 is charging. Some days the movie plays three times a day, with the cheapest tickets selling for around $95.
'Postcards\ from Earth,' along with the U2 show, have utilized custom visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic; designed and developed with Sphere's unique properties in mind. (The testing ground for the arena is a smaller version of Sphere, just outside the airport in Burbank.)
A 'Wizard of Oz' play seems smart, given the renewed interest in the property thanks to the runaway success of Universal's 'Wicked.' That Jon M. Chu-directed film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, has made over $460 million worldwide since it opened on Thanksgiving weekend. A second film, 'Wicked: For Good,' will open on November 21, 2025.
And Las Vegas is no stranger to 'The Wizard of Oz.' When the MGM Grand opened in 1993, it was fully decked out with elaborate 'Wizard of Oz' theming – there was a 'magical Emerald City' (according to early marketing materials), animatronic figures, a Yellow Brick Road walk-through attraction and a casino with a glittery rainbow ceiling. By 1996, with the city pivoting away from its family friendly aspirations, much of the theming was removed.
Being able to see 'The Wizard of Oz' inside the 17,600-seat auditorium, which includes speakers (equipped with 'beamforming' technology and wave field synthesis – basically next-level spatial audio), will certainly be an experience – and it should help ease the financial burden of the $2.3 billion venue.
Last year Sphere Entertainment reported fourth-quarter revenue of $308.3 million, but the company's Sphere segment posted an operating loss of $142.9 million for the quarter. During an earnings call, Sphere CEO Jim Dolan compared the first year of operating the venue as the 'first pancake.' 'It's the first time we've done it, and we've learned, and we're getting better at it,' Dolan said during the call. 'I wish that the day we lit it up, that we knew exactly how to run it, exactly how to sell it, and exactly how to, you know, program it, etc. But that's just not the case.'
'The Wizard of Oz' is the latest attempt by the company to diversify its Sphere offerings, which not only include concerts (like The Eagles, Dead & Co. and a return of the U2 show) but also live sporting event UFC 306 and the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Sphere is also part of the F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
The post Sphere Gets Wicked: 'Wizard of Oz' Experience Coming to Vegas Venue appeared first on TheWrap.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Colin Kaepernick docuseries produced by Spike Lee no longer moving forward at ESPN amid 'creative differences'
An ESPN docuseries on quarterback Colin Kaepernick that was being produced by acclaimed director Spike Lee and Jemele Hill is no longer moving forward. The six-time Academy Award nominee revealed to Reuters during a red carpet entrance at a fundraising dinner for the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation dinner on Friday that the multi-part documentary will not be released. "I can't. I signed a nondisclosure," he said. "I can't talk about it." Asked why the series — tentatively titled "Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick" — won't be seen, Lee cited a nondisclosure agreement in talking about the development. "I can't. I signed a nondisclosure," he added. "I can't talk about it." ESPN issued a statement to Reuters on Saturday in response to an inquiry about the docuseries' status. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," the statement said. "Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film." Kaepernick played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons from 2011-16. He quarterbacked the 49ers to the 2013 NFC championship game, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. However, he is most known for protesting the U.S. national anthem before games by taking a knee as a gesture to protest systemic racism in the culture and police brutality. That made him a nationally controversial figure, drawing criticism from many including President Donald Trump, and presumably led to no NFL teams signing him after he became a free agent. He never played in the NFL again after the 2016 season. Last September, Puck's Matthew Belloni reported that creative differences between Kaepernick and Lee stalled the docuseries' development. Kaepernick preferred for the series to focus more on his career and personal experience. Yet Lee wanted the scope of the project to cover wider cultural issues, including the history of Black athletes in professional sports, social justice and police brutality. Though the series was reportedly completed, Kaepernick held ultimate approval over the project and wanted material added to Lee's final cut. The project stalling over creative differences between Kaepernick and Lee was confirmed to The Athletic, though specifics beyond what Belloni originally reported were not provided. Yet as Richard Deitsch and Andrew Marchand point out, ESPN's relationship with the NFL is different now than when the project was initially being developed in 2022. In an agreement worth billions of dollars, ESPN will acquire NFL RedZone and other NFL Media properies with the NFL taking a 10% equity stake in the network. A docuseries that potentially casts the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's 32 teams in a bad light likely wouldn't be viewed favorably under those circumstances. Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against NFL team owners with teammate Eric Reid. That lawsuit was eventually settled in 2019. The Kaepernick docuseries is reportedly finished or close enough to where it could air on another network or streaming platform. According to Belloni's report, Kaepernick and Lee largely worked out their differences. Yet based on the finality of Lee's remarks to Reuters, it appears that the project will not be shopped around to other outlets.
Business Upturn
6 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Terence Stamp net worth in 2025: How much was the legendary actor worth?
By Aman Shukla Published on August 17, 2025, 20:52 IST The world of cinema is mourning the loss of Terence Stamp, the legendary British actor whose career spanned more than six decades. Known for his striking looks, magnetic screen presence, and philosophical depth, Stamp passed away at the age of 87. His family confirmed the news, asking for privacy while tributes continue to pour in from fans and the film fraternity across the globe. Terence Stamp's Net Worth in 2025 At the time of his death, Terence Stamp's net worth was estimated at around $10 million, according to multiple reliable sources. Some outlets placed his fortune slightly higher, at around $16 million, but the more consistent and credible figure remains $10 million. This wealth reflected both his long-standing career in film and television and his ventures outside of acting. How He Built His Wealth Stamp's financial success was rooted in his remarkable acting journey. His debut in Billy Budd (1962) brought him an Academy Award nomination and immediate recognition. He went on to appear in acclaimed projects such as Far from the Madding Crowd (1967), Pier Paolo Pasolini's Theorem (1968), and Ken Loach's Poor Cow (1967). For many fans, he will forever be remembered as General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), roles that cemented his status as one of cinema's most memorable villains. Later, he reinvented himself with standout performances in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), The Limey (1999), and The Adjustment Bureau (2011). Death and Legacy Terence Stamp passed away on August 17, 2025, at the age of 87. While details surrounding the cause of his death have not been disclosed, his passing has been felt deeply across the entertainment industry. Colleagues, critics, and fans alike are celebrating his legacy—an actor who embodied both elegance and intensity, and who left an indelible mark on world cinema. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Gizmodo
7 hours ago
- Gizmodo
‘Superman' and ‘Star Wars' Actor Terence Stamp Dies at Age 87
English actor Terence Stamp, seen across a variety of film and TV over the decades, has passed away at 87 years old. In a statement to Reuters, the actor's family revealed he passed on Sunday morning. Born July 22, 1938, he made his film debut with the 1962 adaptation of Herman Melville's Billy Budd as the title character. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination and recognition that allowed him to star in films like 1965's The Collector 1967's Poor Cow. Genre-wise, Terence Stamp famously played General Zod in the first two Superman movies, and Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Other notable roles include Stick in 2005's Elektra, Bud Chantilas in Red Planet, and Ramsley in Disney's 2003 Haunted Mansion. Stamp would later return to DC for Smallville (as Jor-El) and Static Shock (Professor Menace), and voiced the Prophet of Truth in Halo 3 and Mankar Camoran in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. He was also a potential James Bond candidate after Sean Connery retired from the role, which ended up not working out. He also appeared in Tim Burton's Big Eyes and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. More recently, Stamp could be seen in Netflix's Murder Mystery, HBO's His Dark Materials series and Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho. Archival audio of his performance as Mankar was also used for the recent Oblivion remaster. In its statement, Stamp's family noted his 'extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.' Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
