James Franco Seals the Deal on OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

James Franco is officially signed on to play the lead role of the Wizard in Sam Raimi's next film OZ, The Great and Powerful which is currently being set up over at Disney. He replaces Robert Downey Jr. who was previously attached to the film. This reunites Raimi and Franco for the first time since Spider-Man 3. 

It was rumored that Franco would take the role earlier in the month, and it was implied that he took the role when Mila Kunis was cast as the Wicked Witch of the West, Theodorah. 

The movie is scheduled to start shooting in July. Franco's a great actor and I'm looking forward to seeing how this film turns out. So far it seems like it's coming together pretty well. 

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.