Oz the Great and Powerful

[samurainoir]

[Earth 2 Chris]

Looks good. Kind of surprised to see this is a Disney film, and not WB, considering they now own the classic MGM film. There are several elements that seem very similar to that version.

Chris

[samurainoir]

Wizard of Oz is public domain, as is most of the Baum books now. Disney did Return to Oz back in the day didn't they?

As long as they don't infringe on the MGM likenesses, anyone can make an Oz film, just like the big pile of Snow White films and tv we've got recently. Much stuff from the MGM film can be extracted by the original illos and book descriptions.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Yeah, I know the public domain thing. But the Emerald City, Winkie Guard, etc, looked quite a bit like the MGM film.

BUT, if the books describe them like that, they can get away with it (as you said).

Not sure who made "Return to Oz". It may have been Disney. I barely remember that...

Chris

[samurainoir]

Yeah, Return is Disney as well. I think the House of the Mouse is looking for another Alice in Wonderland sized hit with this one.


Emerald City looks different enough not to cause problems. Other than both being green. The Winkies are only glimpsed in silhouette in the trailer, so I'm not sure what you can tell from that.



original illo by WW Denslow

[PNGwynne]

I was not a huge fan of Burton's Wonderland--I hope Oz fares better. I do like the trailer, and "Return" as well, which was more faithfull to the Baum books.

With the proper nod to the MGM classic, this new Disney version could be a fun, stylish prequel.

[Nostalgiabuff]

looks awesome. can't wait to see it. according toe Entertainment weekly there are a lot of nods to the classic MGM movie, including Glinda flying in a pink ball.....of course with modern effects

[Mikey]

Looks interesting

The guy remeinds me of a young Dean Stockwell

[Brazoo]

I kept reading this was suppose to be a musical. I wonder if that rumor was false, or if they're just going to be keeping that aspect quiet for now.

[PNGwynne]

^I love musicals, but that would be a big mistake IMO--do not tread where classic WOz has gone before.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Looks interesting

The guy remeinds me of a young Dean Stockwell

It's James Franco. You may know him as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin II from the Spider-Man movies.

Chris

[torgospizza]

It looks a lot better than I thought it would when I first heard about it.

[acrovader]

I'm not sold. I'm really wary of these movies now that seem to rely on CGI and spectacle over a compelling story, memorable characters, and great acting. Anybody can come up with 'dazzling' special effects these days. The real trick is making the movie not feel like a video game.

[MIB41]

We saw this trailer in the Dark Knight Rises previews. I like the idea alot. But I'm less sold on the casting. I can't see James Franco playing the Wizard. I envisioned someone with a little more charisma and flare like Robin Williams. Franco does not strike me as someone who can pull that off. But I'll see it to find out for myself. Fun idea. But, of course, nothing will ever touch the original.

[Adam West]

Looks interesting. It's possible that Disney does have some rights to the MGM movie. I do remember Disneyworld had MGM studios with a ride that included "The Wizard of Oz."

I wish someone would do a movie version of "Wicked". Probably best play I have ever seen and interesting twist on the "Wizard of Oz" story.