Wizard of Oz Hits $1B at Las Vegas Sphere, Harry Potter Plans Reported

The Mandalorian and Grogu, the upcoming Star Wars movie, is being compared to The Empire Strikes Back for its darker and more grounded storytelling, with actress Sigourney Weaver indicating it will offer more than just a fun experience similar to the critically acclaimed Andor series. Meanwhile, James Dolan, owner of the Las Vegas Sphere, has successfully turned The Wizard of Oz into a blockbuster immersive experience, generating significant revenue and selling over 120,000 tickets prior to its official opening. Dolan is in talks with Warner Bros. about bringing additional titles like the Harry Potter franchise to the Sphere, which Warner Bros. is reportedly supportive of, while Disney is less willing to allow adaptations of Star Wars movies without greater involvement in production. The Wizard of Oz Sphere experience has faced criticism for its use of AI enhancements but has nonetheless proven financially successful, with other movies like The Matrix also having successful runs at the venue. The Sphere continues to grow as a unique entertainment venue, blending movies and concerts with immersive technology, although the future of Star Wars experiences there remains uncertain due to Disney's stance.