Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz: The Great and Powerful is an upcoming 2013 fantasy film directed by Sam Raimi. The film, adapted from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is intended as a prequel to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The film stars James Franco as the protagonist. Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz star as the three witches.

Cast

 * James Franco as Oscar Diggs
 * Mila Kunis as Theodora
 * Michelle Williams as Glinda the Good Witch
 * Rachel Weisz as Evanora
 * Zach Braff as Frank and Finley
 * Joey King as China Girl
 * Abigail Spencer as Mrs. Hamilton
 * Ted Raimi as Skeptic / Tinker
 * Bruce Campbell
 * Tony Cox as Knuck

Production
Oz: The Great and Powerful serves as a prequel adapted from author L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz published in 1900. Before Sam Raimi signed on to make the film, directors Sam Mendes and Adam Shankman were also reported to be top candidates. In June 2011, Danny Elfman was chosen to compose Oz: the Great and Powerful. This comes after Elfman and Raimi had a falling out over Spider-Man 2 (2004) and declaring that the two would never again work together.

The script was written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire with Joe Roth serving as a producer. According to a reporter for Deadline Hollywood, its distributor wanted to reduce the film's production budget to about $150 million.

Initially, Robert Downey, Jr. was considered to play Oz. Then, Johnny Depp was linked to the role. By the end of February 2011, James Franco was in final negotiations to star in this film. This is the first time that Franco and Raimi have worked together following the conclusion of the Spider-Man trilogy.

Casting calls were put out for locals looking to be extras. Principal photography for Oz: The Great and Powerful began July 2011 in Pontiac, Michigan.

Release
In May 2011, before filming began, distributor Walt Disney Pictures gave it a March 8, 2013, US theatrical release date.According to an article published by Moviefone, Disney hopes Oz: The Great and Powerful will replicate the commercial performance of a similar 3-D CGI fantasy film; Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010). A teaser trailer will either be attached with The Avengers or Brave.