Very few upcoming studio movies have my trust like Oz: The Great and Powerful. It’s not just the return of Sam Raimi — that would, however, normally be sufficient reason — but also a big-scale return to one of the most beloved films of all time. (Or, given a bit of a rights twist with various parties, some “variation” of it.)

In this prequel, a slimy sort named Oscar (James Franco) is taken to Oz in his air balloon and, soon enough, finds himself caught between a battle of three witches (Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis). From that point on? I don’t want to know much else. Lucky for me, then, that the production was pretty hush-hush from start to finish — I can’t recall any set photos or, frankly, real information getting out — yet it’s now time for the (ahem) curtain to be lifted bit by bit.

EW has landed the first poster, a beautiful, possibly painted tease of what’s to come; it also packs plenty of the original’s iconic imagery into a compact space without feeling convoluted. Now, this writers knows it’s silly to get pleasure from the first item of a major studio’s marketing line — but I might make some exceptions for Oz. I mean, heck, I’d rather see it now than just about any of the other blockbusters trudging their way into theaters this summer.

Take a look below:

Synopsis:

Oz The Great and Powerful 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.

Oz: The Great and Powerful hits theaters March 8th, 2013.

Are you looking forward to Oz, and does this help generate further excitement?