Amazon Prime Video developing Dorothy, a modern musical Oz retelling

Amazon Prime Video has begun developing Dorothy, a contemporary, music-infused young-adult retelling of The Wizard of Oz, created and produced by Gina Matthews under her Little Engine label. Set in present-day Manhattan, the series uses the Yellow Brick Road as a metaphor for the challenges and choices facing today’s youths. The project is led by Matthews, with Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton among the executive producers, along with additional producers from the Little Engine roster and partner companies. No premiere date has been announced, and casting details remain under wraps.

Matthews, whose screen credits include 13 Going on 30 and Isn’t It Romantic, described the Oz books as a lifelong influence. She said the story embodies qualities that help people endure hard times, with Dorothy standing as a symbol of strength who shows that kindness and grit can enable personal achievement and uplift those around us. “I’ve been in love with The Wizard of Oz books since I was a child,” she stated. “The story reminds us of the qualities we need to get through hard times, and Dorothy is a symbol of strength who shows us that with a little kindness and a lot of grit we can not only...