James Franco as the Wizard of Oz in Oz the Great and Powerful.
Rami, who directed the Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Willem Defoe, combines Disney’s skill with special effects and an arresting cast of witches, wizards and munchkins.
Disney made a run at the story with the 1985 film “Return to Oz.” But if flopped. So there’s good reason to cross your fingers on this one.
The film re-imagines the classic “Wizard of Oz” based on the Frank Baum’s Oz book series. It traces how the wizard came to reside in the Emerald City before Dorothy’s arrival.
Oz the Great and Powerful Movie Posters
Oscar Diggs (Franco) is a small-time circus magician and big-time flim-flammer. He attempts to flee Kansas after pulling one scam too-many.
A great storm carries him off to the Land of Oz, where he’s hailed the wizard. The city and all its riches are his, if he can vanquish the wicked witch.
Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams play the witches Theodora, Evanora and Glinda respectively.
Ultimately, the story is about the transformation of Oscar from a scalawag into a true leader and inspiration for the people of Oz, even if it takes illusion, ingenuity and real wizardry. He sorts through the city’s problems and flushes out the evil doers, according to the film’s synopsis.
The film also stars Zach Braff as Frank, Abigail Spencer as Mrs. Hamilton and Ted Raimi as Skeptic the Tinker Man. Franco was the third choice for the film after Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp.
“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire.
The film opens in traditional 2D, Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D on March 8. Check out the commercial that aired last night during the SAG awards and a brief teaser. And be sure to follow TheImproper on Twitter for all the latest film and movie updates.
