With a release date set, the final major casting for Sam Raimi‘s prequel to the classic 1939 film is underway. Deadline reports that Scrubs and Garden State star Zach Braff has joined Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful as the role of Frank, “the loyal but under-appreciated assistant to Oz,” played by James Franco. This also comes with recent news from Variety, that Ramona and Beezus star Joey King will play a minor in the film as China Girl.
In Raimi’s return to big budget filmmaking after Spider-Man 3, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Mila Kunis will play the three witches. Written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire, the film begins production this July in Michigan. Braff has been relatively quiet as of late, with his first feature since 2006 being High Cost of Living, which I saw at TIFF last year. It is a completely dramatic turn for Braff, and he is able to hold is own. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the guy, but I’ll be interested to see what Raimi brings to this project. Check out a synopsis below.
“The Wizard is a “snake-oil salesman” who enters the Technicolor world of Oz after escaping the vengeful husband of his latest sexual conquest. Once in Oz, he lies to the natives, claiming to be a wizard. This deceitful Casanova soon falls for Glinda the Good Witch, and spurns Theodora prompting her to becomes a bad witch and team up with the downright evil Evanora to destroy Oz. Now the “fast-talking huckster” has to redeem himself by joining forces with his beloved Glinda to save all of Oz.”
Oz: The Great and Powerful hits theaters in 3D on March 8th, 2013.
Are you excited for Braff to join the cast of Raimi’s latest?