Along with Snow White, the Wizard of Oz is one of the properties that has multiple films in the works at a number of studios. However the fore front of the Wizard of Oz films is that of Sam Raimi’s OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL which is already shooting.
Over at Disney’s D23 Expo, artwork was available showing what James Franco, playing Oz, would look like as well as the emerald landscape which Frank L. Baum wrote about.
“several images of the lush, emerald green hills of Oz, with the yellow — but not always bricked — road winding its way throughout,” according to ComingSoon.net. “The impossible geography of Oz showed through as well, with arching rock formations seemingly miles long and a mountain shaped like an elephant. Pictures of the Emerald City showcased an art deco influence.” [Comingsoon.net]
But more importantly, out of the Disney offices is an official press release for the film:
Walt Disney Pictures’ fantastical adventure Oz The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot — fame and fortune are his for the taking — that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity — and even a bit of wizardry — Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
The film stars James Franco as Oz, Mila Kunis as Theodora (BLACK SWAN), Rachel Weisz (THE WHISTLEBLOWER), Abigail Spencer (COWBOYS & ALIENS), Michelle Williams as Glinda (BLUE VALENTINE), Bruce Campbell (EVIL DEAD) and Zach Braff (GARDEN STATE).
OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL is out March 8th 2013.
