Sphere Entertainment Co and Google detail AI tech behind The Wizard of Oz at Sphere

Sphere Entertainment Co and Google has detailed an AI partnership that’s helping to put together the upcoming show, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.

Google Cloud and Google DeepMind are working together to deploy Gemini models, Veo 2 and Imagen 3 to enhance the film’s resolution, extend backgrounds and digitally recreate characters who would otherwise not appear on the same screen.

“The power of generative AI, combined with Google’s infrastructure and expertise, is helping us to achieve something extraordinary,” said Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO, Sphere Entertainment.

“We needed a partner who could push boundaries alongside our teams at Sphere Studios and Magnopus, and Google was the only company equipped to meet the challenge on the world’s highest resolution LED screen.”

Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud, added: “Our partnership with Sphere on The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is a great example of pushing the boundaries of generative AI to deliver exciting new experiences for audiences – and new opportunities for studios and filmmakers.

“We are honoured to play a role in such an ambitious project to bring a classic piece of Americana to an entirely new generation of audiences.”

Buzz Hays, Global Lead for Entertainment Industry Solutions at Google Cloud, said: “We’re starting with the original four-by-three image on a 35mm piece of celluloid – it’s actually three separate, grainy film negatives; that’s how they shot Technicolor.

“That obviously won’t work on a screen that is 160,000 square feet. So we’re working with Sphere Studios, Magnopus and visual effects artists around the world, alongside our AI models, to effectively bring the original characters and environments to life on a whole new canvas… Creating an immersive entertainment experience that still respects the original in every way.”

The Wizard of Oz at Sphere opens in Las Vegas on August 28th.