Sci Fi Channel in America has unveiled plans to remake The Wizard of Oz into an edgy science fiction drama titled Tin Man.

Variety reports that the channel will spend close to $20m to make a six-hour miniseries scheduled to air next December.

"Our goal is to take Wizard of Oz to the next level and make it relevant, modern and fresh to a new generation," Sci Fi's general manager Dave Howe told the trade magazine.

In the revamped version, Dorothy will be a young woman called "DG" and will be hurled into a mysterious "Outer Zone" where she will meet other "reimagined" characters from the original.