Follow the yellow-brick road ... by hot-air balloon?
The first poster for "Oz the Great and Powerful," Sam Raimi's "Wizard of Oz" origin story, has arrived. The initial picture imagines a fantastical far-away land, filled with rolling green pastures, shiny emeralds and one gigantic tornado.
The movie, which stars James Franco as the titular character, follows a small-time magician Oscar Diggs (Franco), who ends up being whisked away to the land of Oz. There, after encountering three witches -- Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams) -- he attempts to transform himself into a powerful wizard.
In addition to exploring the backstory of "The Wizard of Oz," one that came to life in the 1939 film starring Judy Garland, director Sam Raimi plans on honoring the original movie with a few black-and-white sequences. As "Oz" actress Joey King revealed to TeenSpot earlier this year, "We’re doing the same thing as the first 'Wizard of Oz,' we're making it black and white in the beginning and then [it gets] colorful when we enter the Land of Oz."
You can check out the vibrant poster for "Oz the Great and Powerful" below. The movie hits theaters nationwide on March 8, 2013.
(Click to enlarge)
Earlier on Moviefone:
Launch Slideshow
HIDE THUMBNAILS
1 of 6
PLAY ALL
VOTE ON THIS SLIDE
ADVERTISEMENT
[{"entry_id":"3333324","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/baz-luhrmann-turned-down-harry-potter_n_3333324.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297699\/slide_297699_2460231_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297699\/slide_297699_2460231_small.jpg","title":"'The Bling Ring' Premiere at Cannes","slideshow_id":"297699","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3327543","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/23\/poltergeist-reboot-sequel_n_3327543.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229646\/slide_229646_1038674_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229646\/slide_229646_1038674_small.jpg","title":"Ridiculous Horror Movies","slideshow_id":"229646","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3326606","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/23\/brad-pitt-surprises-fans-at-world-war-z-screening_n_3326606.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/293950\/slide_293950_2378783_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/293950\/slide_293950_2378783_small.jpg","title":"8 Must-See Horror Movies This Summer","slideshow_id":"293950","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3320908","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/22\/ed-helms-the-hangover-3_n_3320908.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298639\/slide_298639_2479486_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298639\/slide_298639_2479486_small.jpg","title":"'The Hangover: Part III' L.A. Premiere","slideshow_id":"298639","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3320647","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/22\/fast-furious-6-la-premiere_n_3320647.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298924\/slide_298924_2485068_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298924\/slide_298924_2485068_small.jpg","title":"'Fast & Furious 6' L.A. Premiere","slideshow_id":"298924","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3325785","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/23\/morgan-freeman-falls-asleep_n_3325785.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/239957\/slide_239957_1256514_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/239957\/slide_239957_1256514_small.jpg","title":"Morgan Freeman's Best and Worst Quotes","slideshow_id":"239957","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3320240","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/22\/before-midnight-la-premiere_n_3320240.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298909\/slide_298909_2484782_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/298909\/slide_298909_2484782_small.jpg","title":"'Before Midnight' L.A. Premiere","slideshow_id":"298909","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3332926","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/bidder-leonardo-dicaprio-space-trip_n_3332926.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/295111\/slide_295111_2403293_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/295111\/slide_295111_2403293_small.jpg","title":"'The Great Gatsby' World Premiere in New York","slideshow_id":"295111","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3332316","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/fast-and-furious-6-review_n_3332316.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294559\/slide_294559_2391475_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294559\/slide_294559_2391475_small.jpg","title":"2013 Summer Movie Preview: Action and Superheroes","slideshow_id":"294559","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3320912","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/22\/star-trek-13-movie_n_3320912.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297360\/slide_297360_2447603_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297360\/slide_297360_2447603_small.jpg","title":"Ranking Every 'Star Trek' Movie, From Best to Worst","slideshow_id":"297360","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3332414","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/now-you-see-me-screening_n_3332414.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299006\/slide_299006_2493162_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299006\/slide_299006_2493162_small.jpg","title":"'Now You See Me' Screening in L.A.","slideshow_id":"299006","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3331506","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/epic-director-chris-wedge-interview_n_3331506.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294525\/slide_294525_2390728_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294525\/slide_294525_2390728_small.jpg","title":"2013 Summer Movie Preview: Family and Animation","slideshow_id":"294525","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3331517","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/24\/after-earth-unscripted-will-smith-jaden_n_3331517.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294761\/slide_294761_2400443_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/294761\/slide_294761_2400443_small.jpg","title":"'After Earth' Japan Premiere","slideshow_id":"294761","vertical":"moviefone"},{"entry_id":"3320345","entry_url":"http:\/\/news.moviefone.com\/2013\/05\/22\/the-hangover-movies_n_3320345.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/253294\/slide_253294_1575903_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/253294\/slide_253294_1575903_small.jpg","title":"The Biggest Mistakes in Comedy Movies","slideshow_id":"253294","vertical":"moviefone"}]
Follow the yellow-brick road ... by hot-air balloon?
The first poster for "Oz the Great and Powerful," Sam Raimi's "Wizard of Oz" origin story, has arrived. The initial picture imagines a fantastic...
Follow the yellow-brick road ... by hot-air balloon?
The first poster for "Oz the Great and Powerful," Sam Raimi's "Wizard of Oz" origin story, has arrived. The initial picture imagines a fantastic...
Many women prefer to date older men coz older men are usually more stable and mature, and older men understand better how to treat their women. For 40 plus older guys, dating younger women simply makes them feel younger. ~ ~ ~ Age_less_mαtch _℃oM ~ ~ ~ is the leading community for older men dating younger women. If you are seeking serious relationships, give us a shot!
All the digital, 3-D, computerized, and ear-splitting Dolby sound they have at their disposal today can't make up for the fact that, like the Tin Man, the movies of today lack a "Heart".
annie_may25: Many women prefer to date older men coz older men
James Franco is a decent enough actor, but he his no match for Frank Morgan, the original "Oz" of the 1939 classic. All the digital, 3-D, computerized, and ear-splitting Dolby sound they have at their disposal today can't make up for the fact that, like the Tin Man, the movies of today lack a "Heart".
engbrsphoto: James Franco is a decent enough actor, but he his
Somehow the witches seem about a century too young and cutesy. And let's not forget that, with perhaps the exception of Spiderman 3, Raimi has never made a serious, high budget film. Now I know I'll catch flack for saying that, but it's my opinion.
viclas696: Somehow the witches seem about a century too young and
This film really does look promising. I hope it's hand-drawn animation as opposed to 3D. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy 3D animation, but there has been so many of these films lately, it would be nice to have a change of scenery with pencil drawn characters and landscapes like the Golden Age of Animation back in the late 80s and 90s.
Lanita_Cecilia_Wright: This film really does look promising. I hope it's hand-drawn
Keep Tim Burton's depressing mitts off it and it might be a decent film.I don't want to see Johnny depp in such a coveted role as thw Wizard. Flying monkey, perhaps?
wkndsquire: Keep Tim Burton's depressing mitts off it and it might
it did just say that James Franco has the titular role (the wizard...before he became the wizard of oz) so i dont think you need to worry about seeing johnny depp
Alex_Kay: it did just say that James Franco has the titular
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz is probably my second favorite. It starts when Dorothy falls through an earthquake crevice in California and eventually makes her way to Oz from the center of the earth. My favorite is Ozma of Oz, wherein Dorothy is shipwrecked somewhere near Australia and, after many adventures, meets her old friends from Oz. The crazy Nome King was in it, who turned everyone into knicknacks.
casaloma: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz is probably my second
The above article didn't really say to what degree the new film will remain true to the original writings of L. Frank Baum, if at all. Presumably not, because it didn't mention his name once.
Even if it remained true to Baum's writings, the odds are stacked against it. It's hard to remake a classic. But at least they had enough sense to know that they would have to come up with a new story line. Otherwise it would have been doomed from the start.
In the hands of a good writer, this could probably work. But what are the odds of that? I'm guessing that the script was written by the accounting department for the best possible box office effect.
Crisdean_Wulver: I'm doubtful. The above article didn't really say to what
Loading comments… 
Posted: 07/04/2012 1:48 pm Updated: 07/04/2012 1:48 pm