Sam Raimi To Direct WIZARD OF OZ Prequel
Many have wondered over the past few days if director Sam Raimi would be on board to direct a prequel to “Oz”. Well according to Deadline.com, the answer is yes as Raimi successfully concluded negotiations with Disney to direct the prequel, which is to be titled “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”
Disney’s planned prequel will look at the origin of the wizard, the famed character from the L. Frank Baum books. Raimi’s possible involvement is surprising as his name was not originally on the shortlist of directors being courted for the project. Sam Mendes, Adam Shankman and “Wanted” director Timur Bekmambetov were thought to be the main competitors for the position of director on the project. A offered was made to Raimi on Friday and he is reportedly mulling it over.
If Raimi joins the prequel project it will be his first major move since leaving the Spider-Man franchise in December. Raimi remains attached to the feature film adaptation “Warcraft” and he is also being considered as a replacement for Guillermo del Toro on “The Hobbit.”
