'Oz' Doc Explores How The Wizard of Oz Was Made - With DiCaprio, Verdi Productions and Danny Strong Behind It
We all know The Wizard of Oz (movies and tv series) - the poppy fields, the ruby slippers, that first burst of color. But the story of how it came together? Messier. Riskier. And honestly, kind of unbelievable.
That's the heart of "Oz," a new documentary now in production from Leonardo DiCaprio (movies and tv series)'s Appian Way, Chad A. Verdi's Verdi Productions, and Danny Strong (movies and tv series). Director Tom Donahue (movies and tv series) ("Mafia Spies," "This Changes Everything") is leading the project, aiming straight at what made the 1939 classic both fragile and, somehow, indestructible.
Here's the promise: never-before-seen footage and audio, plus a clear look at the pressures inside the old studio system. The film will track how Victor Fleming (movies and tv series), Judy Garland (movies and tv series), and a sprawling crew built a movie that almost buckled under its own ambition - and why it still hits like it does.
"The Wizard (movies and tv series) of Oz remains deeply embedded in our culture, and its impact continues to resonate today," DiCaprio says. "We're fortunate to have the chance to tell the story, and to do it alongside Danny Strong, Chad Verdi, and the team at Verdi Productions."
Where it stands
"Oz" is currently shooting reenactments in Rhode Island and is slated for a 2026 release. No word yet on distribution, but the appetite for behind-the-scenes stories around legacy titles is real.
Danny Strong puts it plainly: "To get to tell the creation of one of the most important works of art in the history of international cinema is an incredible honor… To be producing with Leonardo DiCaprio, Appian Way and their longtime collaborator Chad Verdi, truly makes this a dream team to tell this dream of a story."
Why this matters
There's a reason this movie keeps pulling people back. It wasn't an easy hit. Film critic Leonard Maltin (movies and tv series) described its staying power this way: "You have to know you're facing utter perfection… It was very difficult to make their investment back. And it only turned a profit through re-reissuing to theaters and then ultimately being sold to television, which is where it took root in our popular culture."
That arc - from costly gamble to cultural anchor - is exactly what "Oz" is set to unpack. Maybe it's just timing, but audience curiosity about how classics were actually made feels strong right now.
The film that keeps echoing
The Wizard of Oz has spawned sequels and stage hits, including the Broadway phenomenon Wicked and its film adaptation. The original Warner Bros. feature was shot using three-strip Technicolor, a 35mm process that changed how color felt on screen. If you've ever seen that yellow brick road glow, you know.
For anyone who wants a refresher on the Technicolor process, Britannica has a useful primer: Technicolor explained. And for historical context on the film's legacy, the Academy's official site is a solid reference point: The Wizard of Oz at the Academy.
Who's making it
Donahue and Ilan Arboleda's CreativeChaos vmg are producing with Appian Way, Verdi Productions, and Danny Strong Productions. It's the fourth collaboration between Appian Way and Verdi Productions after projects including "Sleepwalker" and "Carthage Must Be Destroyed."
- Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Chad A. Verdi, Danny Strong, Ilan Arboleda, Tom Donahue
- Additional producers: Jennifer Davisson, Phillip Watson (movies and tv series), Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba
- Executive producers: Taylor DiGilio, Sera Verdi
Verdi puts it this way: "Both companies are united by a shared commitment of telling meaningful and captivating stories. 'The Wizard of Oz' is a beloved classic, but the behind-the-scenes history of its making is even more extraordinary, and has yet to be fully told until now."
The pulse to watch
In August, a new digital version of the film screened at the Sphere in Las Vegas - a reminder that this title keeps finding new ways to meet audiences. And if "Oz" really does open the vault with unheard audio and rare footage, there's a chance we see this story with fresh eyes, not just as nostalgia.
Here's what this could mean for the industry: a renewed path for archival-led docs around studio-era landmarks, especially ones with modern IP still in play. We'll be tracking release details as "Oz" moves toward 2026.
For now, the pitch is simple. Pull back the curtain. Show how the magic was made - and why it almost wasn't.
