Google and Sphere Entertainment bring The Wizard of Oz to life with generative AI

New partnership reimagines a cinematic classic using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and immersive visuals.

Google Cloud collaborates with Sphere Entertainment to reimagine the classic film The Wizard of Oz using AI technology. (c) Google

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a historic collaboration that redefines the future of film and entertainment, Google and Sphere Entertainment bring The Wizard of Oz to life with generative AI. The ambitious project, unveiled in Las Vegas on April 8, 2025, aims to transform the beloved cinematic classic into a fully immersive experience powered by the latest advances in artificial intelligence.

With the premiere scheduled for August 28, 2025, at Sphere in Las Vegas, the reimagined Wizard of Oz promises to transport audiences to a visual spectacle unlike anything seen before. For both Google and Sphere Entertainment, this isn't just about reviving a classic; it's about reinventing storytelling through the lens of technology. This partnership blends nostalgia, innovation, and AI-powered creativity to push the limits of what’s possible in immersive media.

A leap forward in cinematic technology

When The Wizard of Oz debuted in 1939, it stunned audiences with its revolutionary use of Technicolor. Nearly 90 years later, Google and Sphere Entertainment are aiming for a similar cultural impact—only this time, the magic lies in the power of generative artificial intelligence.

Sphere Studios, along with creative powerhouse Magnopus, joined forces with Google Cloud and Google DeepMind to enhance the original film using some of the most advanced AI models in existence. These include Gemini, Veo 2, and Imagen 3, all fine-tuned to breathe new life into the story of Dorothy and her journey to the Emerald City.

These AI tools have been used to upscale resolution, expand dynamic backgrounds, and even digitally recreate iconic characters who never originally shared scenes. The result? A seamless and visually stunning experience tailored specifically for Sphere’s world-class LED dome, the highest-resolution light-emitting diode display on Earth.

Sphere’s next-level canvas meets Google’s AI might

The Sphere venue itself is an innovation masterpiece. Known for its 160,000-square-foot LED interior and 16K resolution, it’s designed to immerse audiences into worlds they can see, feel, and almost touch. But creating an experience that does justice to this massive visual canvas requires massive computing power—and that’s where Google Cloud comes in.

To bring this idea to life, Google Cloud has processed 1.2 petabytes of data during the project’s development. This is equivalent to streaming over 300,000 HD movies. Their AI-optimized infrastructure was essential in handling the complex workflows of rendering and syncing high-resolution visuals for every inch of the Sphere’s domed screen.

Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, emphasized that this ambitious idea could only happen with a partner who could match the Sphere's technological demands. “Google was the only company ready to meet the challenge of the world’s highest-resolution light-emitting diode display,” Dolan said in Las Vegas.

Inside the AI engine: Gemini, Veo 2, and Imagen 3

Behind the curtain, it’s Google’s suite of generative AI models doing the heavy lifting. Gemini’s multi-modal intelligence helps in integrating text, image, and video data for a cohesive experience. Veo 2 is used for ultra-high-resolution video generation, which allows the original footage to be extended and reimagined. Meanwhile, Imagen 3 enhances visual fidelity and creates new, photorealistic environments that blend seamlessly with classic footage.

This blend of tools allows AI to act not only as a filter but as a creative partner—enhancing, interpreting, and sometimes even inventing visual elements that make the experience feel fresh while honoring the original.

The results are not just cosmetic upgrades; they are narrative expansions. Dorothy’s yellow brick road is now longer, more vivid, and filled with immersive surprises. The Emerald City shines brighter. Even familiar characters like the Scarecrow and Tin Man appear in newly imagined sequences, crafted entirely through data-informed creativity.

A tribute to storytelling with tomorrow’s tools

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, sees the project as a turning point. “This partnership with Sphere on The Wizard of Oz is a great example of how generative AI can push boundaries in storytelling,” Kurian said. For Google, the goal isn’t just technical achievement—it’s about empowering artists, engineers, and creators to tell stories in ways they never could before.

Sphere and Google’s project has involved thousands of people—from VFX artists and AI researchers to sound engineers and coders. Together, they’re building a multi-sensory experience designed to appeal to every generation, from lifelong fans of the original movie to new viewers discovering Oz for the first time.

Redefining the audience experience

Visitors to Sphere’s Las Vegas venue will not just watch The Wizard of Oz—they will feel like they’ve stepped into it. With surround visuals, spatial audio, and even scent diffusers and temperature control, the Sphere elevates viewing into a hyperreal experience.

Imagine seeing Dorothy's house spinning in a tornado—your seat rumbles, the screen warps around you, and the soundtrack swells from every direction. The AI-enhanced story isn’t just viewed; it’s lived. This is the essence of what Google and Sphere Entertainment bring The Wizard of Oz to life with generative AI really means.

The future of storytelling starts now

What began as a film adaptation nearly a century ago is now becoming a technological marvel. Through this collaboration, Sphere and Google are setting a precedent for the next generation of entertainment—one where AI, cloud computing, and immersive environments converge.

The success of this project could pave the way for other classics to be reimagined. Imagine experiencing Casablanca, Star Wars, or Titanic in full Sphere immersion. With generative AI and infrastructure in place, the possibilities are limitless.

The project to bring The Wizard of Oz to life using generative AI is more than a celebration of a beloved film—it’s a statement about where entertainment is headed. Google and Sphere have proven that when creative ambition meets technical innovation, magic happens. And just like Dorothy stepping into Oz for the first time, we too are entering a new world—one powered not by ruby slippers, but by the boundless capabilities of artificial intelligence.