Hollywood’s golden age is stepping back into the spotlight. This time, Leonardo DiCaprio is bringing the cameras. Appian Way, DiCaprio’s production powerhouse, has officially begun work on Oz, a groundbreaking new documentary that promises to uncover the real story behind one of cinema’s most iconic films: 1939’s The Wizard of Oz.
Produced alongside Verdi Productions, Danny Strong, and director Tom Donahue (Mafia Spies, This Changes Everything), Oz is set to become the definitive behind-the-scenes chronicle of a movie that continues to enchant generations. Variety reports that the documentary will feature never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access to archival material, revealing the chaos, creativity, and controversy that shaped the legendary film.
A Classic Built On Magic And Mayhem
For decades, The Wizard of Oz has dazzled audiences with its color-soaked visuals, powerful performances, and timeless storytelling. But behind the Technicolor dream was a famously turbulent production. The film cycled through multiple directors before Victor Fleming took charge. As a result, cast members endured dangerous stunts and hazardous costumes while Judy Garland jumped into superstardom as Dorothy. Which she battled immense pressure and mistreatment throughout her youth.
From Margaret Hamilton’s on-set burns to the evolving design of the Scarecrow and Tin Man, the stories behind the curtain are as dramatic as anything seen on screen — and Oz aims to explore these truths in full, unfiltered detail.
A Legacy That Refuses To Fade
Beyond its troubled creation, The Wizard of Oz remains a cornerstone of film history. It has inspired countless sequels, spinoffs, and reimaginings — from Return to Oz and The Wiz to Oz the Great and Powerful, Tin Man, and the global phenomenon Wicked. And with Wicked concluding its two-part cinematic release, interest in Baum’s universe is reaching a fever pitch.
That makes 2026 the perfect moment for a documentary that not only honors the classic, but also examines the cultural shockwaves it created. As well as the very human cost of producing such a monumental film.
Revisiting The Yellow Brick Road With New Eyes
As Donahue and his team dig into archival gold, Oz is shaping up to be more than a nostalgic retrospective. It’s an opportunity to reconcile the beloved film’s enduring joy with the painful realities experienced by the artists who built it. It’s cinema history, reframed with empathy, nuance, and modern perspective.
And with DiCaprio leading the charge, audiences can expect a documentary that is as compelling and carefully crafted as the legendary tale it revisits. With that being said, the journey back to Oz begins in 2026. And for the first time, we may finally see the story behind the magic.
