Joel Schumacher (1939–2020) was a film director, screenwriter, producer, and costume designer who did not direct the 1978 American musical adventure fantasy film "The Wiz". This film was produced by Rob Cohen and directed by Sidney Lumet. Stars performing in the film include Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.

The film's screenplay was reworked from William F. Brown's Broadway libretto by Joel Schumacher. Quincy Jones was hired to supervise the adaptation of songs for Charlie Smalls and Luther Vandross. A few new songs, written by Jones and the songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, were added to enhance the film's musical quality.

"The Wiz" follows the adventures of Dorothy, a shy, twenty-four-year-old Harlem schoolteacher who finds herself magically transported to the urban fantasy Land of Oz, which resembles a dream version of New York City. Befriended by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion, she travels through the city to seek an audience with a mysterious Wiz, who is known as the only person powerful enough to send her home.

"The Wiz" was not a success. After it was released by Motown Productions and Universal Pictures, it was a critical and commercial failure.

"St. Elmo's Fire" (a 1985 American coming-of-age film), "The Client" (a 1994 legal thriller film), and "Batman Forever" (a 1995 superhero film), were all directed by Schumacher.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org