“The WIZ” starred Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Richard Pryor and Nipsey Russell and it couldn’t break even.
People don’t like ‘woke’ garbage on either side of the coin...............
Think a big part of the problem with the movie was they had Diana Ross, who had to be what, 40 years old? playing Dorothy. I’m sure they explained that in some way, but come on, it’s annoying.
It was a big hit on Broadway, and I did see it. Very good show, good songs and choreography. The Wizard of Oz is a made up story, I don’t really care if you change the cast to all Black or whatever. I’m sure some black people lived in Kansas at that time, so why not, really?
The TV Live version was quite good. Sorry, forget what channel it was on, NOT Fox I don’t think. The only cast member I recall is Nee-Yo (sp?) who played the Tin Man. Think he’s actually a rapper, but he was quite good. Whoever played Dorothy was OK too. Don’t really remember any of the other performers.
I understand the stage play was better. I saw excerpts of The Wiz play on a morning show years ago. It was not bad!
So they decided to make a movie of it and aim it at black city folks. a dud.