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The Wiz - actors, characters and roles

All actors and their roles in the film "The Wiz"

The Wiz (1978)

Timing: 2:14 (134 min)

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Actors and characters

Character Dorothy Gale

Character Scarecrow

Character Tinman

Character Lion / Fleetwood Coup de Ville

Character Aunt Em

Character Glinda the Good

Character The Wiz

Character Evillene

Character Miss One

Stanley Greene

Character Uncle Henry

Character Emerald City Gold Pianist

Character Emerald City Citizen

Clyde J. Barrett

Character Subway Peddler

Character Cheetah

Character Munchkin #2

The original title translates to "The Wizard".
John Badham was initially chosen as the film's director, but he left the project when 33-year-old Diana Ross was cast as the teenage Dorothy. The role of Dorothy was subsequently rewritten and changed to a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher, but by that point, Sidney Lumet (1924-2011) had already replaced Ross.
Filming of the Emerald City on the plaza at the World Trade Center had to be completed quickly due to strong winds and time constraints.
Sidney Lumet was chosen as the director primarily due to his ability to finish his films on time and within budget. This film was the most expensive film produced in New York at that time.
Diana Ross nearly went blind and ended up in the hospital due to a lightning flash shown in the film.
The film crew was able to obtain hundreds of costumes featured in the scenes in the Emerald City thanks to screenwriter Joel Schumacher's (1939-2020) connections in the fashion industry.
The original title translates to “The Magician.”

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