Drew Barrymore Reveals Long-Awaited ‘Wizard of Surrender Dorothy’ Prequel Script She's Been Working on for 28 Years (Exclusive)

Drew Barrymore Details the Wizard of Oz Prequel Script Shes Been Trying to Get Made for 28 Years

Drew Barrymore, Judy Garland As Dorothy. Paul Morigi;Underwood Archives/Getty Images(2)

Drew Barrymore has been dreaming of creating a Wizard of Oz prequel movie for over 20 years.

“Surrender Dorothy is the script I’ve been working on for, believe it or not, 28 years,” Barrymore, 49, shared with We during a conversation about her partnership with Ring and ASPCA. “When Flower Films was first established, it was one of the first scripts that captured my heart and we worked on developing it. So, it holds a special place in my heart.”

Drew Barrymore, who started her Flower Films production company in 1995, mentioned that the script is probably “lying in a vault somewhere.”

She expressed her excitement, saying, “As a director, I would love to bring that to life.” However, as an actor, she found that the opportunity was not easily accessible for many years. Despite her attempts, it just didn't feel like the right fit for her.

Barrymore began her acting career at the young age of 5, landing her first major role as Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. just two years later. Coming from a well-known acting family, she appeared in over 50 films before deciding to take a break to focus on raising her two daughters, Olive (11) and Frankie (10), with her former husband, Will Kopelman.

Reflecting on her role in the 2017 Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet, Barrymore shared, “I enjoyed playing the character, but ultimately had to prioritize being the kind of mom I want to be, which the show didn't align with.”

Drew Barrymore Details the Wizard of Oz Prequel Script Shes Been Trying to Get Made for 28 Years

Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Judy Garland, and Bert Lahr in “The Wizard of Oz” 1939. Cover Images

Barrymore is thinking about taking on more acting projects now that her kids are getting older. She mentioned, "I think the girls are like, ‘Yeah, mom, we’re doing great. If you want to go do that, go back and do things.’" She shared with Us that getting permission from her daughters was a big deal and it made her consider new opportunities. She added, "Getting that permission from them was really huge and sort of opened up my mind, so we’ll see."

Barrymore’s Flower Films is getting ready to mark its 30th anniversary, almost the same amount of time she has been working on Surrender Dorothy.

Barrymore shared, “It’s the same team, and we are all very busy at the moment, even more so than I had anticipated. We are creating a lot of content, and I had been hoping to take it easy, but things are moving quickly. I am incredibly thankful for this.”

Barrymore shared, "We have a lot of exciting projects happening at our company currently, and I must admit, it's really energizing."

Apart from her work and taking care of her children, Barrymore has teamed up with ASPCA and Ring for their "Ring Pet Portraits" campaign. The nonprofit is encouraging pet owners to share their beloved furry companions' photos until June 14. For every photo posted with the #RingPets tag, Ring has pledged to donate $10 to the ASPCA.

"I've been rescuing animals since I was 19, so this really resonated with me. It was the main reason I decided to join in the first place," Barrymore shared with Us. "Plus, working with Amazon on The Drew Barrymore Show, Ross Mathews and I have covered topics related to pets. The idea of a camera for our furry friends never crossed our minds before, but when I heard about it, I thought, 'Wow, this makes so much sense.' I'm really excited about it."

With information from Travis Cronin

Editor's P/S:

Drew Barrymore's long-held dream of bringing a "Wizard of Oz" prequel to the screen is both inspiring and heartwarming. Her dedication to the project over two decades reflects her passion for storytelling and her desire to bring this beloved classic to life. While the path to the project's realization has not been easy, Barrymore's perseverance and the support of her team at Flower Films demonstrate the power of determination and collaboration.

Barrymore's commitment to her family and her desire to be an active and present mother are also commendable. Her decision to prioritize her daughters' well-being over her acting career is a testament to her values and her understanding of the importance of family. It is encouraging to see that her daughters now support her return to acting, giving her the freedom to pursue her creative aspirations.