Oz, The Great and Powerful has been talked about for what seems like forever. First, Sam Mendes was going to direct. Then, we found out that Sam Raimi signed on instead to helm the project. And now we get more news: Robert Downey Jr., who been attached to play the lead since pretty much the beginning, has dropped out of the project [Heat Vision].
This makes project #2 Downey has stepped down from, the first being Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity back in November. No reason was given in the report, but maybe Downey just wants to relax through 2011 instead of taking on project after project. The guy’s the figurehead of a billion dollar superhero franchise AND a burgeoning Sherlock Holmes franchise; taking some time off to see the sights or hang out with his wife is not really something any of us could be mad at him for.
Those of you who still are excited for Oz, The Great and Powerful (all three of you), have no fear because Disney is already looking at a high level replacement: Johnny Depp. Disney and Depp are bff’s (what, with that whole Pirates of the Caribbean thing and what not), and since the House of Mouse has such a beloved and bankable (if you don’t count The Tourist which no one does) star at their beck and call, it’s no surprise that’s who they’d run to. It isn’t confirmed he’ll take the role or anything; they are merely in discussions and it all depends if any time can be found to go through with it. Depp’s a busy man, with one project starting production later this year (Tim Burton’s adaptation of Dark Shadows, based on a show no one begged to see turned into a full length feature) and another in development (The Lone Ranger, directed by Gore Verbinski and also being handled by Disney).
Despite the sudden casting change, this doesn’t change the biggest news of all: Oz, The Great and Powerful is being made whether we want it to or not. Even The Wizard of Oz can’t escape the remake machine Hollywood has become (and yes, I know it’s a prequel but just go with it, it’s a damn good line).
So…Oz, The Great and Powerful won’t die. How do you feel about that?