It’s been a topic of discussion since this summer. Now, we finally have confirmation that Sam Raimi’s next stint in the director’s chair will come via Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful. Raimi, who has two other projects on his table in addition to Oz, committed to the Disney project with production set to begin next year on the 3D film. In addition to Raimi’s commitment, Disney has also brought David Lindsay-Abaire on board to perform re-writes on the Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yards) script. Lindsay-Abaire recently adapted his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole for the silver screen. That film stars Nicole Kidman and was picked up by Lionsgate at the Toronto International Film Festivallast month.
For more on Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement with Oz, Raimi and Lindsay-Abaire’s previous collaboration, and Raimi’s “other two” projects, hit the jump.
Deadline is reporting that, while not yet locked in, the odds thatRobert Downey Jr. will appear in Oz: The Great and Powerful are “looking good.” Though he turned down several initial offers to play a young Oz, it is believed that he has warmed to the role given Raimi’s attachment.
As for Raimi and Oz re-writer David Lindsay-Abaire, this isn’t the first time the latter has been brought in to touch up a Raimi-directed script. He also worked closely with Raimi on the James Vanderbilt script that would have been Spider-Man 4. That in mind, we can only hope that we won’t be hearing of an Oz: The Great and Powerful reboot before the original Raimi picture ever gets made.
Finally, as you may already be aware, Raimi is also attached to direct two other films which, prior to today’s news, could have been his “next” film. First, he will be directing an adaptation of the popular computer game World of Warcraft (which he seemed very excited to discuss with Steveat this year’s Saturn Awards). Additionally, he will also helm an adaptation of the Radical graphic novelEarp: Saints for Sinners. That project is “set in a future where he (Earp) takes on outlaws in a ravaged society where the only boomtown left is Las Vegas.” There is no word as to which will come next for Raimi after Oz is completed.
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From Hindustan Times
Next, Wizard of Oz prequel in 3D
Since Sam Raimi, the previous director of the Spider-Man films, left that franchise, he has been chosen to direct the prequel to 1939 classic musical The Wizard of Oz. An origins story titled Oz: The Great and Powerful, this film will tell how the Wizard came to be, from a circus wrangler to when a tornado landed him in Oz. Robert Downey Jr. is expected to portray the Wizard as per entertainment website Deadline Hollywood.
David Lindsay-Abaire is rewriting the screenplay. He also wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole, which he adapted for the upcoming film starring Nicole Kidman.
Raimi, who created the Evil Dead horror franchise, is also set to direct an adaptation of the computer game World of Warcraft and the graphic novel Earp: Saints for Sinners, a sci-fi western mash-up.
Considering the type of action films Raimi directs, Oz may not be in Kansas anymore. Similar to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, it may take on a darker theme than the Judy Garland romp for kids.
Production is set to begin next year on the 3D film, according to movie news site Collider.
original post: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Next-Wizard-of-Oz-prequel-in-3D/Article1-609959.aspx