Seriously, how can anyone keep track of the ridiculous number of "Wizard of Oz" sequel, prequel and spin-off projects that are currently in development? There's "Oz, The Great and Powerful," starring Robert Downey Jr. and possibly being directed by Sam Raimi, which explores the story of how the Wizard came to preside over Oz. There's also Todd McFarlane's rather unique vision of the universe, "The Twisted Land of Oz," which is set many years after the 1939. And "Oz: The Return to Emerald City," from "History of Violence" writer Josh Olson.
The big papa among them is also the one with the least development (as far as we know): an adaptation of Gregory Maguire's 1995 book "Wicked," which details the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West. The story has already been adapted into a hit Broadway musical, a movie version of which has long been in development. Now it seems there's some momentum building, as Deadline reports that some of the Broadway production's key figures have met with a number of talented filmmakers -- specifically James Mangold, Rob Marshall, Ryan Murphy and J.J. Abrams -- about taking on the gig.
Who would you choose? Why? After the jump I consider the four candidates (so far) and pit them against one another in a battle to the death! Or, you know, just talk a little bit about each one. Whichever works. Read More...
Tags James Mangold, jj abrams, Rob Marshall, Ryan Murphy, Wicked
Two More 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Films Coming After 'On Stranger Tides'?
Posted 12/3/10 10:25 am EST by Terri Schwartz in Commentary, News
The fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "On Stranger Tides," has finally wrapped principle photography, and Disney must have really liked what they saw — because according to HitFix, we're going to be getting two more "Pirates" films after "On Stranger Tides" hits theaters in 2011.
Just like "Dead Man's Chest" and "At World's End" were shot back-to-back as the second and third "Pirates" movies, these next two installments will be filmed back-to-back whenever Disney can get its stars free, presumably at some point in 2011 after Johnny Depp is done filming "The Lone Ranger." Without official studio confirmation, it's safest to take this latest news as a rumor for now — but it's one heck of a rumor, to say the least. Read More...
Tags johnny depp, pirates of the caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Pirates of the Caribbean 6, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Rob Marshall