AI-Enhanced 'Wizard of Oz' on Giant Sphere Screen

Sphere to Showcase “The Wizard of Oz” with Revolutionary AI Enhancement

Beginning August 28th, the expansive Las Vegas entertainment destination, Sphere, will debut its inaugural classic film presentation: “The Wizard of Oz.” As highlighted by a recent report on CBS Sunday Morning, this event transcends a simple projection of the original movie onto the venue’s impressive 160,000-square-foot, fully encompassing LED display.

Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan revealed that a dedicated team of 2,000 individuals is meticulously crafting a completely reimagined experience. This involves leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to both elevate the film’s resolution and extend the visual scope beyond the original footage’s boundaries.

AI-Powered Visual Expansion

According to Turner Classic Movie host Ben Mankiewicz, AI technology is being utilized to dramatically enhance the visual quality. For instance, a previously grainy close-up of Dorothy is being transformed into a highly detailed image.

Furthermore, a technique termed “outpainting” – which Mankiewicz describes as akin to magic – is employed to reveal previously unseen elements. This includes expanding the view to encompass the entirety of the Scarecrow, the iconic Yellow Brick Road, and the landscapes of Oz.

Creating New Scenes from Existing Footage

The expansion of the film’s frame isn’t limited to simply revealing more of the existing scenery. In certain instances, entirely new scenes are being generated utilizing the original actors’ performances.

Despite these substantial alterations, Dolan emphasized that the core principle guiding the project was preservation. The aim is not to alter the film itself, but rather to immerse the audience within the world of the movie, simulating the experience of being present during the original filming.