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The Muppets head for Oz

Courtesy of Variety
March 16, 2004

ABC execs might soon be singing a chorus of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow Connection.'

ABC is readying a Muppet-ized version of "The Wizard of Oz" with producers Jim Henson Productions and Fox TV Studios. Telepic would likely be the first major production to emerge from Disney's deal to take control of Muppets brand and characters -- though the project was actually in the works long before the sale was announced.

Debra Frank and Steven Hayes are writing a script for the telepic, which will feature familiar Muppet characters retelling the classic Wizard of Oz story. It's possible the movie will include a human character as well, most likely Dorothy, insiders said.

The telepic will be based on the original L. Frank Baum novel "The Wizard of Oz", and not the classic 1939 MGM musical. That means no ruby slippers, and no chance of Miss Piggy belting out 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.'

Frank and Hayes wrote Home Alone 4 for Fox TV Studios and ABC's Wonderful World of Disney.

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