Robert Downey Jr. Leaves OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and Johnny Depp steps In
News has hit that Robert Downey Jr. is no longer attached to Sam Raimi's upcoming film Oz, the Great and Powerful. He was set to take on the lead role of the Wizard, but now it looks like Johnny Depp will be stepping into those wizardry shoes. According to THR he's currently in talks with Disney working on sealing a deal.
There's no reason given as to why Downey Jr. dropped out. If Depp does end up officially taking the role it will push the production of Gore Verbinski's The Lone Ranger back a bit. It's safe to say that Depp has pretty much sold half of his soul to Disney, but the guy is a great actor who disappears in the characters he plays in the movies. He'll make a great Wizard.
The story focus' on a younger Wizard, and his background story of how he got to Oz and became the great and powerful wizard. Here's a more detailed look at the story that was leaked last year.
The would have the Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enter Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to Fight the Evil Witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz. Both Evanora and Theodora are described as incredibly attractive, seductive women, and Theodora likes to wear black, thigh-high boots.
What are your thoughts on Depp replacing Robert Downey Jr. in this new OZ movie?