«
»
The Playlist
The obsessives' guide to contemporary cinema via film discussion, news, reviews, features, nostalgia, movie music, soundtracks, DVDs and more.Interviews
-
Greta Gerwig Talks 'Frances Ha' & Working With Noah Baumbach -
Joel Edgerton On 'Wish You Were Here,' 'Jane' Drama & More -
James Gray On 'The Immigrant,' 'The Gray Man,' 'The Lost City Of Z' And More -
Brit Marling Talks 'The East' & Espionage Thrillers -
Nicolas Winding Refn Discusses 'Only God Forgives -
Justin Lin Talks 'Fast Furious 6' & The Influence Of Altman -
Interview: Noah Baumbach Talks 'Frances Ha' -
Ben Wheatley Talks 'Sightseers,' Violence & More -
Mark Romanek On 'One Hour Photo' & Leaving 'Cinderella'
The Playlist
Michelle Williams To Make Tentpole Debut As Good Witch Glinda In 'Oz The Great & Powerful'
- By Oliver Lyttelton
- |
- May 17, 2011 10:32 AM
- |
- 0 Comments
Well, while we might roll our eyes slightly when it comes to the idea of "Oz The Great & Powerful," a prequel to classic "The Wizard of Oz," it's hard to deny that director Sam Raimi has landed a mightily impressive cast. The "Spider-Man" helmer might have lost Robert Downey Jr., who was originally intended for the lead role of Oscar Diggs (aka Oz), a conman who ends up being transported to the magical land seen in the 1939 Judy Garland musical, and becomes embroiled in a conflict between three witches, but he managed to replace him with newly anointed Oscar-nominee James Franco.
Sam Raimi Wants Hilary Swank, Disney Eyes Michelle Williams For 'Oz: The Great And Powerful'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
- |
- April 23, 2011 4:47 AM
- |
- 2 Comments
While Sam Raimi and Disney are walking together down the yellow brick road to "Oz: The Great and Powerful," it looks like the director and studio may start picking up those bricks and throwing them at each other.
Bruce Campbell Says 'Evil Dead' Remake Script Is "Awesome," He Might Have A Role In It
- By Kevin Jagernauth
- |
- April 13, 2011 3:43 AM
- |
- 12 Comments
A remake or sequel to Sam Raimi's cult favorite "The Evil Dead" has been knocking around for years now, moving in fits and starts but never really getting anywhere. And while we're probably not much closer to it, fans can't help but ask about the film anytime Bruce Campbell or Raimi hit the press circuit. Back in January, the Guardian reported that Raimi's longtime producing partner Rob Tapert said, "we're looking at a script this month. What's interesting about 'Evil Dead' is very few people saw it in the format we made it for, which is for the [movie] theater. I think Sam wants to embrace the ultimate experience in grueling terror."
James Franco Locks In To Visit 'Oz: The Great And Powerful'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
- |
- February 25, 2011 5:03 AM
- |
- 1 Comment
We'll say this: it's kind of amazing the amount of buzz James Franco -- aka The Franco -- has managed to create for himself. It's the kind of chatter and publicity most stars would love to have, but it's all the more remarkable considering that it's only after this weekend when he hosts the Oscars that James Franco will become something of a household name. Sure, he had a co-starring role in the "Spider-Man" films but other than that, he hasn't really toplined a major franchise. But that's all about to change. Later this year he will fight the "Rise of the Apes" and now Deadline reports that the ink is pretty much dry on earlier talks that will find the actor reteaming with Sam Raimi for "Oz: The Great and Powerful."
Mila Kunis Allegedly Walks Away From 'Akira' To Star In 'Oz: The Great And Powerful'
- By Oliver Lyttelton
- |
- February 17, 2011 11:08 AM
- |
- 7 Comments
James Franco Also Apparently Locked For The FilmUpdate: Variety confirms that Mila Kunis has closed the deal to star in "Oz The Great And Powerful." She will be taking the role of Theodora, a good witch whose advances are rebuffed by Franco's character. She subsequently decides to help her evil sister Evanora rule Oz. Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Kate Beckinsale, Keira Knightley and Rebecca Hall are among those being listed as contenders for the sister roles.
James Franco In Talks To Lead Sam Raimi's 'Oz: The Great And Powerful'
- By Simon Dang
- |
- February 5, 2011 12:45 AM
- |
- 0 Comments
Man of the moment James Franco is reportedly in early talks to take the lead role in Sam Raimi's "Oz: The Great and Powerful," a quasi-prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," after Robert Downey Jr. bailed on the role and Johnny Depp passed after early discussions.
Robert Downey Leaves 'Oz The Great And Powerful,' Johnny Depp To Take Over?
- By Gabe Toro
- |
- January 20, 2011 3:30 AM
- |
- 2 Comments
Like baseball cards, these A-List actors are. Robert Downey Jr. is backing out of Sam Raimi's "Oz: The Great And Powerful" but the production may have secured a killer replacement in Johnny Depp, currently in discussions to fill Tony Stark's shoes. Sets and effects are already being worked on, with a start date eyed for later this year, so the production is looking to hit the ground running, and it appears Downey just might be too busy to accommodate Disney's hustle.
Exclusive: Danny Strong To Rewrite Sam Raimi-Produced 'Earth Defense Force'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
- |
- January 6, 2011 10:28 AM
- |
- 4 Comments
Earlier last fall, heat began building around a new Sam Raimi-produced project, "Earth Defense Force" (aka "EDF"). With a script from from "Air Force One" screenwriter and "Castle" executive producer Andrew Marlowe, the project drew the attention of Warner Bros. who entered negotiations for the rights and later, Pierre Morel, leaving the stalled "Dune" project, circled the director's chair.
Pierre Morel Might Take 'Ouija' Film; Picture Scheduled For November 9, 2012 Already?
- By Edward Davis
- |
- November 12, 2010 2:28 AM
- |
- 0 Comments
Morel Could Also Direct The Sam Raimi-Produced 'Earth Defense Force' Sci-Fi FilmLate last month it was reported three directors were circling Hasbro's "Ouija Board: The Movie” (or just "Ouija," but we find it funnier the other way), "Legion" FX guy Scott Stewart, Sylvain White (“Stomp The Yard," “The Losers”) and French B-thriller filmmaker Pierre Morel ("Taken"), who recently bailed on the long-gestating adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi book, "Dune."
Email Updates
What's Poppin'
-
Watch: Ace First Trailer For Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' Starring Leonardo DiCaprio -
Girls Gone Bad: 20 Lethal Girl Gang Movies -
10 Meta Movies That Break The Fourth Wall And Blur Reality & Fiction -
Where Will 'Man Of Steel' Rank? Rating The ‘Superman’ Movies From Worst To Best -
Is This The End? Get To Know Your 2013 Apocalypse Movies -
12 Great & Not-So-Great Debuts From Screenwriters-Turned-Directors -
5 Versions Of ‘Jurassic Park’ You Never Saw -
2013: The Best Films Of The Year...So Far -
20 Great Workplace Comedies -
12 Observations On The New 'Arrested Development' Season
Recent Comments
I've only seen Chiwetel Ejiofor in a few films, including "Dirty Pretty Things" and
"Sounds like a bundle of laughs, right?" I bet that would not have been written about
Much is being made over the newest Superman film, 'Man of Steel', ending with the
Just remember, it's the same writer who wrote both articles. Maybe he's trying to be fair.
This probably sets up Lexcorp rebuilding the city and starting anti-Superman campaign.
Hey, this is the song she was mixing before the taxi arrives: www. youtube. com/ watch?v=gj
Titanium - David Guerra (:
So sick of people complaining about the action. It was amazing to finally see Superman unleash his
The benefit of high frame rate is "realism" - it gives things a very live look. And that
I saw it at a screening and it is not Django without the comedy. What utter crap. Sounds like