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(I will update this page when there is news to tell. Any news older than a year is dropped at the next update. If you have news to report, please e-mail me.)

(For more Oz news, check out The Daily Ozmopolitan. For the latest Oz not-quite-news, see the Rumor Control section of this page.)

August 15, 2020: International Wizard of Oz Club Awards

This evening, the International Wizard of Club presented its annual awards at 2Oz? 2Oz! which is this year's national Oz convention, held online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The winners are:

The Fred Otto Prize for short fiction went to "The Flutterbudget Revolt" by Suren Oganessian in first place, and " The Sea Fairies Lost Chapter: Trot and the Sleeper" by Erica Olivera in second.

Lost Chapter: Trot and the Sleeper" by Erica Olivera in second. The C. Warren Hollister Prize for non-fiction went to "No Place Like Oz" by Kathryn Sadakierski in first place, and “Lessons in Personality Integration from the Movies The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz ” by Mackenzie Littledale winning second place.

and ” by Mackenzie Littledale winning second place. The Rob Roy MacVeigh Prize for visual arts went to "The King of Beasts' Conquest" by Michael de Jesus in first place (below, left), and "Dr. Pipt" by David Valentin in second place (below, right).



And the Club's highest award, the L. Frank Baum Memorial Award, for contributions to Oz and the Club's mission, went to Gina Wickwar, author of The Hidden Prince of Oz and Toto of Oz, and short stories for Oziana, as well as her work for the Club as Secretary and in other capacities. Here's the video of the presentation, with testimonials and reactions:

August 1, 2020: The Baum Bugle Spring 2020 issue

The latest issue of, the journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club, is now in the mail and making its way towards members. This is the first issue of the 2020 membership year, with the current COVID-19 pandemic no doubt contributing to the usual problems thehas to keeping to its intended schedule.

In this issue:

A flyer for this year's national Oz convention, To Oz? To Oz!, being held for the first time online.

This issue's craft is a paper version of one of the Three Adepts at Magic, from Glinda of Oz , in the form of a fish. (Which fish it is depends on how you color it!)

, in the form of a fish. (Which fish it is depends on how you color it!) And The Oz Gazette , the newsletter for younger Oz fans (of all ages) features: An interview with Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter. A look back at the 1939 MGM film version of The Wizard of Oz . A contest to draw the Jitterbug. The Scarecrow, the new editor of The Oz Gazette , introduces himself in the Editorial. The news flash that Aujah, one of the Three Adepts, decided to go exploring the world by becoming a fish again.

, the newsletter for younger Oz fans (of all ages) features:

July 18, 2020: The 2020 Winkie Award

Keep watching this page for more of this issue's contents. Also coming along with this issue:

OzCon International, the world's longest running Oz event, met for the first time online as a virtual event, due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not prevent the convention from presenting its highest honor, the Winkie Award, to Colin Ayres. Colin only started attending OzCon relatively recently, but he quickly jumped in and involved himself deeply, putting on many panels and presentations. Two years ago, he became vice chair, succeeding as chair last year, and decided to serve as chair again for a second year. Little did he know that one of the decisions he would have to make would be to cancel the convention and move it all online! But even before that happened, his fellow OzCon attendees voted him as the one who deserves the award.

April 17, 2020: The Baum Bugle, Winter 2019 issue

The final issue of The Baum Bugle, the journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club, has come out for the 2019 membership year. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the printers were not able to print the issue in a timely manner; so, in an unprecedented move, the Club sent out the issue to Club members as a .pdf file via e-mail. (UPDATE, May 9: The printer has come through, and the print version is now making its way into members' mailboxes.) This marks the end of the 2019 membership year, and members are encouraged to renew their memberships for 2020 soon.

In this issue:

Also included with this issue:

A 2020 membership form (for those who don't want to renew their membership online).

A registration form for the National Oz Convention.

The third part of the Emerald City toy theatre.

An "Oz Live 2019" supplement, reporting on: The 2019 National Oz Convention in Thibodeaux, Louisiana. Oz-Stravaganza! in Chittenango, New York. The Quadling Convention in Moore, Oklahoma. The Judy Garland Festival and Children's Wizard of Oz Festival in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia, Michigan. OzCon International in Pomona, California. Autumn in Oz in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Oztoberfest in Wamego, Kansas. Ohio Oz Fest in Twinsburg, Ohio.

The latest issue of The Oz Gazette , the newsletter for younger Oz fans (no matter what age their birth certificate might say), featuring: A new expedition for Trot and Cap'n Bill. Dorothy's final "Editorial", as she's handing over the reins as Editor in Chief to the Scarecrow. The conclusion to the biography of L. Frank Baum. A play written by the Scarecrow, relating some of the events of The Magic of Oz . In "Ask Glinda", the sorceress and some of her friends answer the question, "How do I get to Oz?"

, the newsletter for younger Oz fans (no matter what age their birth certificate might say), featuring:

Stay tuned, because more from this issue will be coming over the next few days.



February 9, 2020: Judy and the 2019 Movie Awards Season

Renée Zellweger was presented with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role tonight for her performance as Judy Garland in the later years of her life in the film Judy. This culminates the 2019-20 movie award season, which saw Zellweger give early notice that she would be a factor, as she also won the following awards:

Hollywood Actress Award at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards.

Best Actress at the 2019 British Independent Film Awards.

Best Lead Actress at the 2019 Atlanta Film Critics Circle.

Best Actress at the 2019 Phoenix Film Critics Society.

Best Actress at the 2020 Houston Film Critics Society.

The Desert Palm Achievement Award at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards.

Best Actress from the National Board of Review.

Best Actress from the 2020 AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards.

Best Actress from the 2020 Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

The American Riviera Award at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Award.

Actress of the Year from the 2020 London Film Critics Circle.

Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2020 British Academy Film Awards (the BAFTAs).

Best Female Lead at the 2020 Independent Film Awards.

Zellweger was also a runner-up for Best Actress from the San Diego Film Critics Society.

Renée Zellweger wasn't the only award presented to Judy or one of its contributors:

Jeremy Woodhead won Make Up and Hair Design from the British Independent Film Awards. (Woodhead was also nominated for the Oscar in the same category, but lost to Bombshell .)

.) The film was one of the top ten independent films named by the National Board of Review.

November 27, 2019: The Baum Bugle Autumn 2019

The latest issue of The Baum Bugle, the journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club, is now in the mail and finding its way to members. This issue celebrates the legacy of L. Frank Baum and his creation in the centennial year of his crossing the shifting sands.

In this issue:

Also included with this issue are:

Autumn Issue #5 of The Oz Gazette , the newsletter for younger Oz fans. In this issue: News of a missing Munchkin named Kiki Aru. An editorial by editor Dorothy Gale. The second part of the story of "How L. Frank Baum Became the Royal Historian of Oz". The Scarecrow writes about how important illustrations can be to a story. The "Ask Glinda" column covers a little bit of the history of the Nome King. And the Glass Cat produces her first society column (even typed by herself).

, the newsletter for younger Oz fans. In this issue: Plus, the second part of the Emerald City toy theatre, showing the background (and a little bit of what's happening behind the scenes).

November 17, 2019: Oziana 2019

The 2019 issue of, the annual literary journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club, is now available for anyone to buy, whether they are Club members or not. It is available at this link to Lulu.com

In this issue:

The front cover by David Valentin is entitled "Friends and Family".

In "An Odd Transformation" by Sara Philips, with illustrations by Lyan Tjally, some of Oz's more unusual but noteworthy citizens are transformed in an unexpected way. (Tjally also provides a full-color illustration for this story on the back cover.)

"Bitsy, the Patchwork Cat of Oz" by Jane Albright, with illustrations by Steve Smith, relates the adventures of Oz's newest animal citizen, accidentally created from some of Scraps' patches.

"The Epiphany of Miss Gulch" by Paul Dana, with illustrations by Mela Pagayonan, looks at what happened to Miss Gulch after Toto escaped from her basket.

"The End of the Road" is a poem by E. J. Hagadorn.

"The Giant Weasel of Oz" by Nathan M. DeHoff, with illustrations by Darrell Spradlyn, sees the title character decide to collect a roc egg, with several Emerald City celebrities getting involved.





September 20, 2019: The Baum Bugle Spring 2019

The Spring 2019 issue of, the journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club, has finally been published and is making its way to Club members. This issue was delayed due to editor in chief Sarah K. Crotzer having to deal with a series of unforeseen hospital visits, but a newis always welcome whatever the season.



In this issue:

Also included with this issue:

Issue number four of the revived version of The Oz Gazette , dedicated to younger (or young at heart) Oz fans. Among the items are a contest to draw a new map of Oz; how L. Frank Baum met W. W. Denslow; the Scarecrow reviews Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl; Glinda explaining why animals in Oz can talk (and why some can't); and an interview with the Cowardly Lion.

, dedicated to younger (or young at heart) Oz fans. Among the items are a contest to draw a new map of Oz; how L. Frank Baum met W. W. Denslow; the Scarecrow reviews by Roald Dahl; Glinda explaining why animals in Oz can talk (and why some can't); and an interview with the Cowardly Lion. The craft project is part one of an Emerald City toy theater, with the proscenium arch, box seats, and four Oz characters. (More parts and characters are promised in the remaining two parts, coming in the Autumn and Winter issues.)

Rumor Control

(Because of the many questions I am asked about possible forthcoming Oz projects or other bits of pseudo-news, I have added this section to answer some of these inquiries.)

The previously announced release date for the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical version of Wicked turns out to have been premature—again. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic shuffling release schedules around, the original first-postponed December 22, 2021 release date was given over to Sing 2. So the Wicked movie is on hold again, but it is still in development, although it has no definitive release date yet.

The latest Oz project to be announced in Hollywood: Cheshire Crossing, the graphic novel by Andy Weir and Sarah Anderson, optioned by Amblin Partners. (See this report.)

Okay, yes, word has leaked out that Warner Bros. tried to talk Robert Zemeckis into directing a remake of The Wizard of Oz, using the same screenplay as the famous 1939 Judy Garland version. Zemeckis already rejected the idea. This probably puts the idea on the back burner for a while, and based on the extreme negative reaction the idea got, I suspect it will stay there. Rumors of this have surfaced again, but appear to be the result of someone finding the old story and running it again.

It's getting harder and harder to keep up with all of the currently planned Oz movie and television projects. Bear in mind that at this stage, most of it is speculation and/or not even in pre-production, or possibly even a game of "Telephone". But here are some of the current Oz movies that could be coming to your local theater in the next few years:

The Road to Oz , a movie biopic about the life of L. Frank Baum and how he created Oz, starring Eddie Redmayne as Frank. (See reports here and here.)

, a movie biopic about the life of L. Frank Baum and how he created Oz, starring Eddie Redmayne as Frank. (See reports here and here.) Dark Oz 3-D , based on the old Caliber comic book.

, based on the old Caliber comic book. A non-musical, faithful adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from New Line and Temple Hill.

from New Line and Temple Hill. The Oz Wars , which would have the witches fighting for control of the Emerald City while the Wizard leads the resistance.

, which would have the witches fighting for control of the Emerald City while the Wizard leads the resistance. John Boorman's animated adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz seems to be on track for release — in France. Once it's released, an English-language release will likely come out soon afterwards. (However, in a recent interview, Boorman admitted that the project has stalled due to lack of funding.)

seems to be on track for release — in France. Once it's released, an English-language release will likely come out soon afterwards. (However, in a recent interview, Boorman admitted that the project has stalled due to lack of funding.) Oz: Return to the Emerald City was one of two possible competing projects at Warner Bros. This original sequel may now be shopped around to other studios, or turned into a novel.

was one of two possible competing projects at Warner Bros. This original sequel may now be shopped around to other studios, or turned into a novel. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , a low-budget independent production from Barnyard Studios and Used Productions. This is very much a shoestring production, which is looking for money and actors. But its Kickstarter campaign to raise the last money it needed was a success, so it may be finished soon.

, a low-budget independent production from Barnyard Studios and Used Productions. This is very much a shoestring production, which is looking for money and actors. But its Kickstarter campaign to raise the last money it needed was a success, so it may be finished soon. Legend of Oz , a modern retelling of The Wizard of Oz from Valley Wind Productions in Ottawa.

, a modern retelling of from Valley Wind Productions in Ottawa. Oz , a new telling of The Wizard of Oz .

, a new telling of . A still unnamed horror movie set in the 1920s with Dorothy meeting Alice in Bedlam Asylum.

Young Santa ., based on L. Frank Baum's book The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus and directed by Sean McNamara.

., based on L. Frank Baum's book and directed by Sean McNamara. How the Wizard Came to Oz , based on two books by Donald Abbott.

, based on two books by Donald Abbott. Not entirely Oz, strictly speaking, but the Judy Garland biography Get Happy may be made into a movie, featuring Anne Hathaway as Garland.

And it's not limited to movies any more. In development for television:

Red Brick Road , a television series continuation of The Wizard of Oz in the style of Game of Thrones . The latest word is that this is being developed for the Lifetime channel.

, a television series continuation of in the style of . The latest word is that this is being developed for the Lifetime channel. Dorothy , an Oz-themed medical drama in development at CBS

, an Oz-themed medical drama in development at CBS Dorothy Must Die , in which Dorothy has returned to Oz and become a dictator, in development at the CW. This would be based on the book series of the same name.

, in which Dorothy has returned to Oz and become a dictator, in development at the CW. This would be based on the book series of the same name. Warriors of Oz , a post-apocalyptic version in development at Syfy.

, a post-apocalyptic version in development at Syfy. A Wicked television miniseries, based on the original book (not the stage musical). Salma Hayak was attached to this as a producer. When last heard of, it was under development at ABC.

No, Peter Jackson is not producing or directing a billion-dollar all-CGI remake of The Wizard of Oz for Warner Bros. How do stories like this get started? Oh, maybe in stories like this...

In recent years, there have been proposals for other Oz or related projects, none of which now appear that they will get off the ground. Among them:

Lost in Oz , a series that was to feature Melissa George as a Kansas university student who is whisked to Oz sixty years after the events of The Wizard of Oz (The Movie) and helping to spearhead a rebellion against the new Wicked Witch of the West. Although developed for the WB and a pilot film produced, it was never picked up, nor the pilot shown. (But keep an eye out on auction sites, as a bootleg DVD sometimes shows up…)

, a series that was to feature Melissa George as a Kansas university student who is whisked to Oz sixty years after the events of (The Movie) and helping to spearhead a rebellion against the new Wicked Witch of the West. Although developed for the WB and a pilot film produced, it was never picked up, nor the pilot shown. (But keep an eye out on auction sites, as a bootleg DVD sometimes shows up…) A telelvision miniseries based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked , with Demi Moore in the title role. (There are stories that the people developing this version later pushed their involvement into the musical version now playing on Broadway and elsewhere.)

, with Demi Moore in the title role. (There are stories that the people developing this version later pushed their involvement into the musical version now playing on Broadway and elsewhere.) The O. Z. , a hip-hop flavored re-telling of The Wizard of Oz for Fox. Among the rumored Dorothy's at one point were Brandy, Mya, and the late Aaliyah. Justin Timberlake, John Leuizamo, and Little Richard were mentioned for other parts.

, a hip-hop flavored re-telling of for Fox. Among the rumored Dorothy's at one point were Brandy, Mya, and the late Aaliyah. Justin Timberlake, John Leuizamo, and Little Richard were mentioned for other parts. Surrender Dorothy . Drew Barrymore as Dorothy's great-granddaughter coming to Oz, and battling the Wicked Witch of the West's granddaughter. (Rumors of this recently resurfaced, but were quickly squelched. This project is dead.)

. Drew Barrymore as Dorothy's great-granddaughter coming to Oz, and battling the Wicked Witch of the West's granddaughter. (Rumors of this recently resurfaced, but were quickly squelched. This project is dead.) Somewhere starring Elizabeth Taylor as Dorothy, now a grandmother, returning to Oz. The deaths of both Taylor and developer Rod Steiger means this is unlikely to ever happen.

starring Elizabeth Taylor as Dorothy, now a grandmother, returning to Oz. The deaths of both Taylor and developer Rod Steiger means this is unlikely to ever happen. Pamela West , where the Wicked Witch is the innocent victim and Dorothy (with Toto as a pit bull) is the evil interloper.

, where the Wicked Witch is the innocent victim and Dorothy (with Toto as a pit bull) is the evil interloper. The Land of Oz (not based on the book of the same name), produced by Hallmark for NBC. This eventually became the basis for the Sci Fi Channel miniseries Tin Man .

(not based on the book of the same name), produced by Hallmark for NBC. This eventually became the basis for the Sci Fi Channel miniseries . The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus from Circa Pictures. It's no longer listed on their website.

from Circa Pictures. It's no longer listed on their website. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus from Hyde Park Entertainment and Toonz Entertainment.

from Hyde Park Entertainment and Toonz Entertainment. A Bollywood adaptation of The Wizard of Oz in India.

in India. A movie version of American McGee's (later cancelled) Oz video game.

video game. Geoff Ryman's Was.

If progress is made on any of these projects, such as actually going into production or a release date announced, the news will be posted as quickly as possible on this page. But at this stage, any of these going into production is very unlikely. (However, Tin Man was part of this list for some time before its eventual completion and broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel.)