In 1900, America was introduced to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. A play will follows two years later and the 1939 film that made Judy Garland a star will become a classic loved by all and undoubtedly the “best adaption” of the book ever made.
Coming in the spring of 2013, Disney will take us back to the land where imagination runs free. “Spider-Man” trilogy director Sam Raimi and “Alice in Wonderland” producer Joe Roth are behind the film that will tell the story of Oz. Oz the Great and Powerful is adapted from the first book in the “Wizard of Oz” series written by Baum. “Spider-Man” alum James Franco plays Oscar Diggs, 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 the 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.
Zenescope Entertainment, the company behind the popular “Grimm Fairy Tales” series, is set to give us their take on the classic tale of the Land of Oz. There have been some ties to it as part of their Grimm Fairy Tales line, most recently in their mini-series, “The Library” which featured the Wicked Witch of the West. The Lion was also shown in the beginning of “The Dream Eater Saga” crossover. But the new Oz comic will feature Oz exclusively, although its unknown if this will correspond with the other Grimm titles like Wonderland. The series will be released this fall, with art by Anthony Spay and Jason Embry.
