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How did The Wiz change the setting and cast of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?

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Illustration by W.W. Denslow showing Dorothy comforting the Cowardly Lion on a yellow brick road, with Toto, the Tin Woodsman, and the Scarecrow nearby in a forest. — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz An illustrated page by W.W. Denslow in L. Frank Baum's *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*.

The 1978 film The Wiz reimagines L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by shifting the setting and diversifying the cast to reflect an urban, contemporary experience.12

Changes to Setting

While the original novel is set in the rural landscape of Kansas and the fantastical land of Oz, The Wiz relocates the story to 1970s New York City, specifically Harlem. The film incorporates iconic city landmarks into its fantasy realm:12
* Emerald City: Represented by the World Trade Center.2
* Munchkinland: Set at the New York State Pavilion from the 1964 World’s Fair.2
* Tinman’s Introduction: Takes place at the Cyclone roller coaster on Coney Island.2

Changes to Cast

The Wiz features an all-Black cast, moving away from the traditional portrayals found in earlier adaptations. Key roles include:12
* Dorothy: Played by Diana Ross, reimagined as a young schoolteacher from Harlem.2
* Scarecrow: Portrayed by Michael Jackson in his silver-screen debut.2
* Other notable roles: Nipsey Russell as the Tinman, Richard Pryor as the Wiz, and Lena Horne as Glinda.2