Not in Kansas Anymore

Not in Kansas Anymore

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TL;DR: 

Google employed advanced AI techniques to enhance the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz for the Las Vegas Sphere’s massive screen, generating new pixels for higher resolution and creating additional character performances and backgrounds.

Key Points:

• Google’s AI enhanced the 86-year-old film’s resolution by generating new pixels, overcoming the limitations of the original 35mm footage.

• New AI methods, dubbed “performance generation” and “outpainting,” added characters and scenery not in the original shots, such as Uncle Henry appearing in a scene with an expanded background.

Why It Matters: Google’s AI-driven re-creation of The Wizard of Oz for the Las Vegas Sphere could redefine how legacy content is adapted for modern venues. By generating new pixels to enhance resolution and crafting additional performances—such as Uncle Henry’s visible presence in a previously off-camera moment—the project demonstrates AI’s capacity to expand the boundaries of archival footage.

This approach enables studios to repurpose classics for immersive environments like the Sphere, where traditional upscaling falls short on a 160,000-square-foot display. The collaboration with filmmakers like Jane Rosenthal underscores an effort to balance technological innovation with artistic integrity, addressing concerns from an industry wary of AI’s encroachment. The reimagined film will debut August 28