![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ShznGedsKwJaPZD5h6Hk4tcGwGPPiAhwGg5NmuIizWDgXCybz8Z1V8ipTMHwibfl02aC2Vksc1UyA2-bGU7N_R8oGj72kum03sLeAOExO_18ElItZkpY1bDZBEan3mvShlKKTbKtShI/s400/tumblr_lgmie6hbJT1qza249o1_400.jpg)
James Franco
has closed a deal to play the title role in Sam Raimi's 'Oz: The Great and Powerful,' the prequel to the L. Frank Baum novel that was scripted by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Joe Roth is producing.
With Robert Downey Jr. replaced the film is back on track to begin production in July.