While we’re all pretty much aware that there is very little that’s actually original in the Sci-Fi Channel Original Picture classification, the Sci-Fi genre has taken the concept of remake to a new and interesting place with the release of Tin Man, a miniseries that promises to blow the doors off the original Wizard of Oz.

Toto? I Don’t Think We’re In…Nebraska?…Anymore….

Perhaps the biggest change Oz fans will notice immediately is our new Dorothy does not come from Kansas, but is now, apparently, a waitress from Omaha. There are plenty of analogues to the original–the Tin Man is here, as is the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow in various different forms. The new Oz, now an acronym for the Outer Zone, is recognizable only in part from the original. That old Yellow Brick Road must’ve taken way too much cash to maintain because it’s in a horrible state of repair by the looks of it. I don’t even want to think about what kind of Soprano-esque protection rackets the Lollipop Guild is engaging in these days. But all of these questions are what makes the idea of the new Tin Man so wonderfully intriguing. Naturally, I’m going in with low expectations. There are so many possibilities that they probably won’t pick the most entertaining ones like the winged monkeys going rogue boomer and occasionally bombing Emerald City.

There’s No Place Like Home

So, at the end of the day, it could be yet another Sci-Fi Channel Not So Original Picture. We know the drill by now. But I have to confess I find myself rather interested. The original Oz had several books to its credit (anyone remember Ozma of Oz?) and was a well-established narrative on par with Tolkien. It’s nice to see an under served property get a little time in the sun, and who knows? Maybe this time you’ll actually enjoy it.

Finally, let’s get you warmed up for the new Tin Man release with some great Wizard of Oz social trivia! And if you are up for more, we have a great selection of social film trivia on Sci-fi films.

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