The 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” will be shown at the Las Vegas Sphere in 16K resolution on a 160,000-square-foot screen, with sound from 167,000 speakers and haptic seating. The project used AI “outpainting” to extend the original film’s frames for the immersive format. Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan said, “Our standard on this was not to modify the film at all, but to try and bring you into [it] as if you were in the studio when it was shot,” according to CNBC.
A 2,000-person team is working on the new presentation of The Wizard of Oz at the Las Vegas Sphere. The project not only enhances the film’s resolution but also adds detail to close-ups and expands the scenery Dorothy explored using AI technology. The Sphere, which opened in September 2023, has seating for about 20,000 people, with half of the seats equipped with haptic technology, and is known for hosting large-scale concerts and visual productions.
The Sphere will debut its immersive version of “The Wizard of Oz” on August 28, featuring 4D effects such as wind, water, and scents to recreate the setting of Oz. MSG Ventures Executive Vice President Glenn Derry developed the effects to simulate the film’s environments. An Ainvest article states the project uses AI to restore and adapt archival footage for modern platforms while maintaining the film’s original integrity. Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies described the result as turning a “static image into a living world.”
