‘Black-ish’ Creator Wants to Update ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ and ‘Wizard of Oz’ To Be More Inclusive

WARNING: The following article contains language that may not be suitable for younger readers. Viewer discretion is advised. 

In an era of remakes and reboots, we should agree that certain properties are untouchable. Movies and shows are so defined by the period they were made that they simply would not hold up if made today. No one should consider remaining Citizen Kane (1941) or Casablanca (1942). 

But last year, Marvel superstar Robert Downey Jr. caught flack for considering taking on the Jimmy Stewart role in a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). That project seems to have stalled for now.

Despite that, Black-ish creator Kenya Barris would like to remake two classic films to be more inclusive with people of color in the starring roles. Barris told Variety that he is working on remakes of It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) and The Wizard of Oz (1939), giving both stories a modern update with an inclusive cast.

Barris confirmed that the script for his Wizard of Oz remake is done. Instead of Kansas, Dorothy is from The Bottoms, an apartment complex in Inglewood, California.

Barris said:

The original ‘Wizard of Oz’ took place during the Great Depression and it was about self-reliance and what people were going through…I think this is the perfect time to switch the characters and talk about what someone imagines their life could be. It’s ultimately a hero’s journey, someone thinks something’s better than where they’re at, and they go and realize that where they’re at is where they should be. I want people to be proud and happy about where they’re from. But I want the world to take a look at it and I hope that will come through.

Barris believes that the Frank Capra classic is the perfect story to remake. The original story also starred Jimmy Steward.

Barris said:

I feel like Christmas movies are amazing and I think the idea of taking something that has that long of a history and a tale behind it and putting an amazing piece of talent to tell that story…It’s a guy who’s trying to help out his community and things are going to turn around on him. I think that’s the perfect story to tell for a person of color — Black or brown — to get into that because our communities have some issues and someone trying to help that community out. I think that’s the perfect vehicle to tell that story from. I’m still a believer in IP. I think I get sh*t for it sometimes but I believe that the idea of some of those great stories – stories are all told again and again and again. So having the opportunity to take some of those IPs and tell them from a different point of a view is a gift that I hopefully keep getting.

Barris has a long relationship with The Walt Disney Company. His hit show, Black-ish, aired on Disney-owned ABC for eight years. He also created Grown-ish for Disney-owned Freeform. Barris also wrote Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) for Disney+ and White Men Can’t Jump (2023) for Hulu.

Since Barris has yet to pitch his two remakes to a studio, there is no indication that Walt Disney Studios will be involved in either project.

Barris is currently working on a 10-part limited biographical series based on the life of legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Barris said the Richard Pryor biopic will follow the comedian from the cradle to the grave. Filming hasn’t started yet on that project, which means we are still years away from either of Barris’ film remakes.