April 26th, 2011
05:41 PM ET
Hilary Swank headed to 'Oz'?Hilary Swank's next acting gig could take her somewhere over the rainbow. The two-time Oscar winner is being eyed for a role in the upcoming "Wizard of Oz" prequel. According to Vulture, director Sam Raimi wants Swank to play an elder witch in "Oz, the Great and Powerful." The upcoming fantasy flick tells the backstory of such beloved characters as the Wizard and Glinda the Good Witch, and reveals info about the lesser-known Wicked Witch of the East, Evanorah, who had a house fall on her when Dorothy dropped in. But if Disney has its way, Swank will get cast when monkeys fly: The studio reportedly is urging Raimi to hire Michelle Williams instead.
This isn't the first casting shakeup on the film. Robert Downey Jr. was originally set to play the Wizard but dropped out and was replaced by James Franco. Golden Globe nominee Mila Kunis is also reportedly in talks to play Evanorah's sister Theodorah, who would go on to become Dorothy's nemesis, the Wicked Witch of the West.
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It's a prequel, meant to portray the book "Oz, the Great and Powerful" written by L.F. Baum, which was in the Wizard of Oz series. "Wicked" written by Gregory Maguire was a totally different book series and has no continuity in Baum's world of Oz.
If they want to make a prequal, they should just make the film version of Wicked – it truly is a wonderful musical. Sometimes it is better to leave the classic stuff alone. Whie prequals worked well for Goerge Lucas and his Star Wars pals, I'm not so sure if this version of pre-Dorothy Oz is going to work as well.
You dont have to pretend to be me. : ) I am. : ) So what ? : ) I bet I am happier than you ! Hopefully you will find happiness and peace as I have ! Best Wishes !
This is great news. I heard she takes a big dump on the yellow brick road.
Who cares? Remake? Prequel? Still should leave original alone.
Apparently,people don't understand the concept of a 'prequel'.
why do dey need to mak a remake!?!they already play the old 1 enough on tv!!
lol
Are they trying to jump on the success of the book/musical 'Wicked?' Why don't they just make a movie based on that, it would make more sense than making up a whole new prequel when many people are already fans of Gregory Mcguire's version.
Is she playing the Horse? She's got the teeth for it.
Seriously, Hollywood's on a frickin remake streak right now. Also, wouldn't this basically just be a film version of the play "Wicked"?
oh yeah. start the CD after the MGM lion roars at the beginning. Then smoke a phattie! you will be amazed! the movie lines up with the music. it's freaking awesome!
oh, plus, we were first, dudes!
ANOTHER REMAKE????J tell us its not true! u have to play the original with the sound off and listen to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" at the same time! Bong hits make it even better!
Not a remake – a prequel.