Transforming Cinema: A New Era for Classic Film in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV — A groundbreaking collaboration has emerged from the partnership between tech giants like Google Cloud, DeepMind, and immersive experience studio Magnopus, alongside entertainment powerhouses like Sphere Studios and Warner Bros. This coalition is driving an innovative project that reimagines the way audiences engage with classic films, specifically adapting the beloved The Wizard of Oz for the Las Vegas Sphere, leveraging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.

This ambitious initiative represents a significant leap forward in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools with digital restoration techniques. It promises to offer a fresh, immersive way for audiences to experience a film that has enchanted generations.

Updating a Classic for a New Format

Originally released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was crafted in a 4:3 aspect ratio—a format that poses challenges when displayed on the Sphere’s massive 16K x 16K screen. This advanced setup features a uniquely curved surface designed for enveloping, full-environment visuals. To ensure the film translates effectively to this modern format, the collaborating teams have employed various AI-driven techniques that adapt the original content while honoring its artistic integrity.

How AI Helped Transform the Viewing Experience

This project harnesses cutting-edge technologies that redefine how classic media can be experienced:

• Super Resolution: Utilizing Google’s VO2 model, the original footage has been enhanced to expose intricate details and clarity beyond standard methods, preserving the film’s essence while elevating its visual quality.
• Outpainting: AI models have creatively filled in areas beyond the original film frames, extending backgrounds and details in a way that aligns with the film’s aesthetic. This approach reconstructs backgrounds and character outfits, ensuring continuity with the original vision.
• Performance Generation: Through AI, lifelike movements and expressions have been generated for scenes not fully captured in the original film, providing an enriched viewing experience that remains true to the characters and narrative.

Cloud Infrastructure Supports Complex Processing

To manage and process high-resolution video while supporting extensive machine learning workloads, Google Cloud plays a crucial role in this venture. The cloud infrastructure allows seamless collaboration between multiple teams and locations, accommodating the vast amounts of data and complex operations required by the immersive presentation format.

Careful Restoration with Creative Integrity

Throughout the project, the teams have worked closely with historians and film experts to ensure that all enhancements made via AI remain faithful to the original work’s artistic intent. Each improvement has been meticulously reviewed to honor the tone, visual storytelling, and design established by the creators of the 1939 classic, ensuring that the film’s legacy is respected.

A New Approach to Film and Technology

This adaptation of The Wizard of Oz showcases the powerful synergy between AI and cloud technology in supporting media production, restoration, and immersive experiences. Not designed to replace traditional filmmaking techniques, this approach illustrates the potential for technology to broaden the horizons of how stories are told and experienced.

About the Project Partners

• Google Cloud: Renowned for its scalable infrastructure and AI tools, Google Cloud serves a multitude of industries, particularly in media and entertainment.
• DeepMind: A leader in innovative AI solutions, DeepMind focuses on applications across diverse fields including research, science, and the creative industries.
• Sphere Studios: This studio specializes in producing media content tailored for the immersive environments of the Las Vegas Sphere, leading content innovation in this unique venue.
• Warner Bros.: Holding a treasure trove of classic and contemporary films, Warner Bros. is constantly seeking new ways to present cinematic art.
• Magnopus: This studio excels at creating interactive and immersive experiences by combining design, storytelling, and cutting-edge technology.

Availability

The enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz is set to premiere at the Las Vegas Sphere in Summer 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the film in a way uniquely adapted to showcase the venue’s remarkable capabilities, setting the stage for an unforgettable cinematic adventure.