Did you know that “The Wiz,” a Broadway sensation, turned into a box office disappointment? We hold it dear as a cult classic, our unique twist on “The Wizard of Oz,” a tale that truly made us feel seen. But, in reality, at the time, its financial success didn’t add up to the classic status it now enjoys.
Sidney Lumet directed the feature, which, during previews, was expected to be a no-brainer blockbuster hit. And when you add the film’s soundtrack, featuring the catchy hit single “Ease on Down the Road,” it raised those expectations even higher.
This version of “The Wiz” relocated the familiar “Wizard of Oz” story to New York. Dorothy, portrayed by Diana Ross, became a 24-year-old Harlem kindergarten teacher. Her journey began when she was whisked away to the urban fantasy land of Oz while trying to save her dog from a storm. Her accidental killing of the Wicked Witch of the East led her to find The Wiz, portrayed by Richard Pryor. Along her journey, she met Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, and Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion.
The film itself didn’t skimp on production value. It featured around 400 dancing subjects on a circular bridge between the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, illuminated by an impressive 27,000 bulbs. The creative vision even extended to subway trash cans and a 26-mile stretch of the Yellow Brick Road, leading from the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.
However, despite the promise and the star-studded cast, “The Wiz” ultimately proved to be a commercial disappointment. It garnered just $13.6 million at the box office, falling significantly short of its $24 million production cost. Even though pre-release television rights were sold for over $10 million, the film left Motown and Universal with a net loss of $10.4 million. At the time, it stood as the most expensive film musical ever made.
According to the documentary “Is This Black Enough For You” by Elvis Mitchell, “The Wiz” was conceived as a grand musical directed by a respected director, Lumet, making his film debut. It starred Michael Jackson, who was poised for pop music stardom, all backed by a budget that could rival the cost of all the black films produced in 1968. However, the reality of its production was quite different. The choice of the director, known for his intense and gritty style, was unexpected. Additionally, Diana Ross was considered too old for the role of Dorothy. The film’s attempt to capture the essence of the stage show with that production was costly and overtly elaborate.
While some argue that bad reviews contributed to its underwhelming performance, the documentary notes that many other Black films faced similar criticism. However, those films did well at the box office.
The documentary further asserted that “The Wiz” lost so much money that it gave the movie industry the excuse it had been waiting for to distance itself from black cinema. Some executives even said “black people don’t want to see themselves in movies anymore.”
This unexpected setback left a lasting impact on Hollywood’s approach to all-black film projects, which had been gaining popularity during the blaxploitation era of the early to mid-1970s. It raised questions about the feasibility of producing such projects and their potential for success.
Despite its financial struggles, “The Wiz” remains a unique gem in cinematic history. In retrospect, it’s a continued reminder that Black-led/directed projects have no room for error, as one failure can determine the future or lack thereof of other projects.