The phrase alludes to a strategic effort to disassociate a particular character, named Gale, from a forthcoming or existing film or television production on the Netflix platform related to the Oz universe. This implies a deliberate decision to either exclude the character from the narrative or to actively distance the characters portrayal from typical Oz-related tropes. An example would be a directive from producers to writers to not include Gale in script drafts or to radically reimagine the character outside of established Oz conventions.
The importance of this direction likely stems from a desire to offer a fresh or unexpected perspective on the Oz narrative, perhaps to avoid audience fatigue with familiar characters or storylines. It could also be a strategic choice to differentiate the Netflix production from existing Oz adaptations, establishing a unique identity and appeal. This type of decision is crucial in franchise management, shaping audience expectations and brand perception. The historical context might involve prior negative reception of Gales character in other Oz-related media, necessitating a course correction.
