Zach Braff In Talks To Join Oz, The Great & Poweful

Deadline reports that Zach Braff (Scrubs) is in final talks to join Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. Braff is taking the role of the Wizard's (Franco) assistant which had been originally offered to John C. Rielly. A big step down in my opinion and hope there are some charismatic male actors added to this cast. Zach joins James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Joey King.

Michelle Williams Confirmed As Glinda In Sam Raimi's OZ

 It's been confirmed by Variety that Michelle Williams will play Glinda the good witch in Oz, The Great & Powerful. She will star alongside James Franco, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis in the Disney film directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead).

Rachel Weisz In Talks For Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

HeatVision confirms that Rachel Weisz is in talks to play evil witch Evanora in Oz, The Great & Powerful. She is one of three sisters who wants to rule Oz using dark magic. Michelle Williams, Hilary Swank and Blake Lively are likely to be still in contentions for the role of Glinda. James Franco (Wizard) and Mila Kunis (Theadora) are currently the only other cast members in the Sam Raimi film.

Disney Wants Michelle Williams For Oz

Vulture reports that Disney is trying to cast the rest of the roles for Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. They say that Raimi is championing Hilary Swank for the role of the elder witch while Disney wants Michelle Williams. I believe most of the time a director is right on the money but Sam has a trend of hiring plain-Jane actresses for his leads. From what I know about the synopsis the witches are supposed to be beyond gorgeous while Swank can be pretty at times she isn't as stunning as say Mila Kunis, Blake Lively or Michelle Williams. I have to side with Disney as Michelle is coming off some impressive roles in Shutter Island and Blue Valentine the latter earned her second Oscar nomination.

It's unknown if Blake Lively is still involved with the film as she just joined Oliver Stone's Savages. Vulture also reported that John C. Rilley was in talks to play the Wizard's (Franco) sidekick but is expected to get an offer for a role in Hunger Games instead. To be honest I'd rather see Rilley in Oz but let's hope Disney continues to give us a solid cast.

CAST EM'!: Edgar Wright's Ant-Man

With the second draft of Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright's script for Ant-Man complete I figured I go over some updated casting ideas for the Marvel Studios film. I've come up with a list of my favorites for the roles of Hank and Janet.

Previously we've seen actors like Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk and Adrien Brody rumored for the role of Hank. Along with online campaigns for Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Pegg. Pegg suggesting he'd rather play the film's villain rather than Ant-Man himself. I like some of the names being mentioned but I have my own ideas as well.



DR HANK PYM - ANTMAN

Joel Edgerton: Joel is similar to Tom Hardy and Jeremy Renner as he's slowly building up a decent resume of badass roles. He seems like the gruff type of Hank that you could seriously and be threatened by. Depending on how their take on Pym if they want to get a future action star for the part Joel could be their man. (The Thing, Animal Kingdom, King Aurthur, Smokin' Aces, Star Wars: Episode II & III)


 



Jamie Bell: Jamie is an excellent young actor. I've been fascinated with his career as he's been able to go from child actor to slowly developing into an action star. Being the only solid thing about Jumpers and also being able to hold his own in Defiance alongside Daniel Craig. Bell was also involved with the Spider-Man talks so it's likely he's open to a comic book role. If I had to choose a favorite it would be Bell. Not to mention he's already had plenty of motion capture experience with Tintin which could be an asset. It's expected Ant-Man will be mostly motion capture. (King Kong, Tintin, The Eagle, Defiance, Flags of Our Fathers, Hallam Foe)





JANET VAN DYNE - WASP

Mila Kunis: Mila is best known for her television work but has become known for her adaptability taking on many different types of films. She's able to play almost any sort of role dramatic, action, comedic or otherwise. She had been linked for the Lois Lane role with many other actresses but seemed at the time the best choice. As Janet is characterized as a petite woman Kunis' stature fits that aspect along with her bubbling personality which Janet is known for. (Oz, Book of Eli, Sarah Marshall, Black Swan)







Mary Elizabeth Winstead: Winstead on the other hand has more action film roots as a majority of her films have tended to go in that direction. She also has been rumored/linked to being involved with talks for Superman, Spider-Man and The Avengers. It seems she wants to do a comic book film and is on the radar of Marvel Studios as MEW was a possible candidate for Maria Hill. (Death Proof, Die Hard 4, Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)







WHO WOULD YOU CAST IN THE LEAD ROLES? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Blake Lively Could Play Glinda In Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

Also in the Variety article that focuses on Blake Lively is another project she could be involved with. Blake is also up for a major role in Disney's Oz, The Great & Powerful. She would play Glinda the witch in the Sam Raimi film that focuses on the arrival of the Wizard (James Franco) via hot air balloon to the land of Oz. Mila Kunis (Black Swan) previously joined the film playing Theodora the sister of Glinda and eventually becomes an evil witch.

Mila Kunis WIll Play Theodora In Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful

Variety has official news that Mila Kunis (Book of Eli, Black Swan) has landed the role of good witch turned evil Theodora in Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. The Disney film which stars James Franco as a young Wizard who is a sexually charged snake oil salesman/illusionist. They also name Glinda and Evanora as the other witch roles which should be cast soon.

Mila Kunis Turns Down Akira To Star In Oz

Rising actress Mila Kunis is gathering praise for her performance in Black Swan and she's now being offered some big roles. According to Vulture Mila had been offered a role in The Hugh Brothers' Akira but turned it down to star opposite James Franco in Oz, The Great & Powerful. The Sam Raimi directed film for Disney chronicles the origin of The Wizard of Oz who will played by Franco. Kunis would play a young witch Theodorah who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of The West. Franco had also been linked to Akira but it looks like he's chosen to work on Oz instead.

Mila Kunis Also Involved With Superman Auditions?

NYDailyNews reports that Kristen Stewart isn't Lois Lane material as she didn't impress director Zack Snyder with her audition. Something I had assumed/hoped would happen when her name crept into the Superman rumors.

They briefly mention Mila Kunis as another possible actress in the running. Kunis has grown as an actress and has had impressive performances in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Most notable her role in Black Swan which earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival. I expect that there might be high pedigree to the supporting cast similar to Nolan's Batman films.

Mila Kunis In Talks To Join Mark Wahlberg In Ted

HeatVision reports that Mila Kunis is negotiations to play Mark Wahlberg's girlfriend in the Seth McFarlane comedy Ted. The film focuses on a man who as young boy wishes his teddy bear would come alive. Twenty-five years later the bear has evolved into a pot smoking slacker and is holding him back. Seth McFarlane who wrote the film will play the bear Ted and also direct. Kunis is a regular on Family Guy playing Meg and previously worked with Wahlberg on the disastrous video game film Max Payne.