FIRST LOOK: "OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL"

Still from Oz the Great and Powerful

"Are you the great Man we've been waiting for?".

The Trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful premiered yesterday at Comic-Con in San Diego and now we also get our first look at it! James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz are set to wow us in this Sam Raimi-directed Spectacle, which gives us the Back Story on how small-time Magician Oscar (Franco) goes on to become to great Wizard of Oz.

Official Synopsis is as follows:

Disney’s 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.

Watch the Trailer in full here:

DISNEY CONFIRMS ANGELINA JOLIE FOR "MALEFICENT" AND IN TALKS FOR "POPPINS" FILM

Emma Thompson at TIFF 2006

A couple bits of exciting news from Disney! Angelina Jolie as many of us know, is set to star in upcoming Live-Action Fantasy Maleficent, which touches upon the Evil Fairy's origins prior to her cursing Sleeping Beauty. They always say Actors make Films for their Kids. Would it be safe to say that her inspiration for this is the Jolie-Pitt Clan? The Film which is set for release March 14, 2014, will be helmed by Robert Stromberg, Production Designer for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland 3-D. He also will be directing another upcoming Disney Feature, Oz the Great and Powerful (Michelle Williams, James Franco, Mila Kunis).

 Although it still has yet to be confirmed, Variety is reporting that Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are nearing negotiations to star in Saving Mr. Banks, which centers on Walt Disney's 14-year courting of Author P.L. Travers to write the Script for eventual 1964 Classic, Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews.  Hanks is said to be playing Walt Disney himself, while Thompson is being eyed for Travers. If this isn't Oscar Bait, I don't know what is!  Sounds brilliant.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DISNEY'S "OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL" BEGINS PRODUCTION IN MICHIGAN

James Franco at TIFF 2010

Not to be confused with Dorothy of Oz starring Glee’s Lea Michele, Disney’s upcoming Fantasy-Adventure, Oz The Great and Powerful, began shooting yesterday at Raleigh Studios in Pontiac, Michigan. The Film directed by Sam Raimi, features some Oscar-calibre talent including James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis, Zac Braff and newcomer Joey King.

Oz The Great and Powerful can be considered a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of Oscar Diggs (Franco) who is a Circus Magician swept away from Kansas to the Land of Oz. He has three sceptics though in three witches, Glinda (Williams), Evanora (Weisz) and Theodora (Kunis). Before he knows it, Oscar is caught amidst the problems facing the Land of Oz. Will he be able to use his magical talents and wizardry to save its people from evil?

Walt Disney Motion Pictures is set to release Oz the Great and Powerful on March 8, 2013.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)