HOME TRAILERS RELEASE DATES PODCAST REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS MOVIE NEWS ABOUT US APPS FSnetwork

LATEST NEWS

'Oz: The Great and Powerful' is Officially Sam Raimi's Next Film

by Ethan Anderton
October 6, 2010
Source: Deadline

Though his name has been linked to several developing projects recently, it looks like Sam Raimi has finally decided which film will be his next directing gig. Deadline reports the filmmaker has finally committed to make Oz: The Great and Powerful his next film after accepting the offer to direct back in June. David Lindsay-Abaire has been brought in to re-write on the script, which tells an origin story about the infamous Wizard of Oz, based on pieces from several other L. Frank Baum books as well as his original ideas. Robert Downey, Jr. hasn't finalized a deal to play the Wizard himself, but apparently the chances of his commitment are quite good.

Production is slated to start next year after Raimi made a decision between this Disney property and the epic video game adaptation World of Warcraft. Downey's involvement as of late seemed to be contingent on Raimi's involvement with the project, so with this commitment, it sounds like we'll see this amazing collaboration come to fruition after all. Writer Lindsay-Abaire apparently worked with Raimi on the script for the fourth Spider-Man film before that project completely fell apart. As leery as I was about taking the yellow-brick road back to Oz, the talent involved is certainly enough to change my mind. What do you guys think?

Related categories: Movie News, Opinions

Paul

Bruce Campbell for Oz.
Voice of Reason

Raimi.....you simply just don't do it for me anymore. Not thrilled, heck, the whole plot for this movie has me gearing up for one gigantic yawn. Im just so effing tired of "origin" movies. I hate to hate, but this just seems underwhelming.
Dan

I wish I weren't so much of a Raimi fanboy.. I'll see it.
Jericho

ugh, well lets hope this will be bad enough to force him to retirement......
beavis

i loved "drag me to hell".......thought it was great fun. if i'd have to pick a director for this - it'd be raimi or burton.
Clover

I wonder if he will read the source material this time.
ndragon13

I'm sure he will do a good job! He is very good at everything he does. Sam Raimi is amazing.
Bryanmakeup

I hope this means he isn't doing the WOW movie. Never liked the idea of him being involved. He feels the need too often to through some comedy in there. Not the kind of WOW film I'd like to see.
anon

no warcraft movie ;_;
Ericmjames69

Can't wait to see what Raimi does for OZ! He is making history with this Raimi is so great! This will be in IMAX and 3D so friggin excited!!