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Cast Signed for 'Oz: The Great & Powerful' Sequel But Not Sam Raimi

by Ethan Anderton
March 11, 2013
Source: Bleeding Cool, E!

Just last week, right before Oz: The Great and Powerful hit theaters and took the top spot at the box office with just over $80 million, there was already word that Disney had commissioned writer Mitchell Kapner (co-writer of the first film) to script a sequel. At the time, we weren't sure if Sam Raimi would return as director or if cast members James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams would all return. Now we have a better idea thanks to interviews conducting on the press tour for the film as it opened all around the world. So who from Oz: The Great and Powerful will be coming back?

Unfortunately (or thankfully depending on your opinion of the film), Raimi doesn't seem himself directing the sequel. It doesn't necessarily count him out definitively, but Raimi told Bleeding Cool:

"I haven’t planned on directing the sequel. I did leave some loose ends for another director if they want to make the picture. I tried to make it a complete ending, so that the audience would be fulfilled, but I also let Evanora and Theodora get away.

I was attracted to this story but I don’t think the second one would have the thing I would need to get me interested."

As for what that thing is that Raimi would need, we're not sure. The director does say he doesn't necessarily know what direction the sequel would go, but it sounds like there was something about the first film that attracted him. But just because Raimi isn't coming back doesn't mean Disney doesn't already have a leg to stand on for the sequel. E! Online spoke with Mila Kunis, and she simply said, "We're all signed for sequels." The actress isn't specific on who "we" includes, but the principal live-action cast is probably a lock, and Zach Braff (the voice of Finley) and Joey King (China Girl) are probably included. Hopefully the sequel will venture a little further into Oz and not still feel tied to The Wizard of Oz. Thoughts?

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

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