Sam Raimi’sWizard of Ozprequel is getting a new streaming home just as the IP is revived withWicked. The 2013 fantasy feature explored the tale of amateur magician and con artist Oscar Diggs (James Franco), who is transported to the land of Oz and tasked with vanquishing a powerful witch. Also starring Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis,Raimi’s moviestruggled with critics, but was a commercial success with a total box office takings of $493.3 million.
Disney+ has revealed thatOz the Great and Powerfulwillarrive on the streaming service on November 29, the weekend afterWickeddebuts in theaters. The movie is not only a well-made reimagining of the Wizard’s arrival in Oz, but it also explores the origins of the three witches while retaining many of Raimi’s signature filmmaking techniques. With plenty of nods to wider Oz lore,Oz the Great and Powerfulis a perfect companion piece to the original 1939Wizard of Ozmovie.
Did You Know: Michelle Williams plays Glinda, but also has a second role in the movie’s Kansas opening, playing Annie Gale, Dorothy’s eventual mother.
Oz the Great and Powerful
Cast
Oz the Great and Powerful follows Oscar Diggs, a circus magician and con artist, who is transported from Kansas to the mystical Land of Oz. There, the inhabitants believe he is the prophesied wizard destined to liberate them from evil forces.
Despite being from two differing studios almost a decade apart, the hype and excitement surroundingWickedis sure to leave plenty of cinemagoers eager to dive into all corners of Oz, and Raimi’sOz the Great and Powerfulshould not be ignored. Though each story framesthe Wizardin a drastically different way, they eachfully explore how Oz was different before Dorothy Gale’s arrivalin the original tale.
As such, it may be worthwhile for anyone keen to dive into the mythology of Oz to see both movies and compare how each feature tackles the rise of each character. WhileWicked’s Wizardis a more antagonistic figure when compared toOz the Great and Powerful’s romantic trickster,each story explores how these men used what they know to become ruler of Oz, all while retaining the core concept of a man hiding behind theatrics.
WhatScreen Ranthas said aboutOz the Great And Powerful:
Oz the Great and Powerfulpresents a captivating take on that wonderful Wizard of Oz - fleshing out the character with a beautiful and emotional adventure. At times, Raimi tries too hard to connect all the dots between his film and the original, creating an awkward gray area between “spiritual predecessor” and “prequel” that may be off-putting toOzcanon purists. However, on its own, the story of Oscar Diggs is a worthwhile tale with a satisfying payoff - an experience that will leave most filmgoers glad that Raimi decided to investigate the “humbug” behind the curtain. -‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ Review
Oz the Great and Powerful Key Facts
$493.3 million
56%
Major Awards
MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (Mila Kunis), Phoenix Film Critics Society for Best Live Action Family Film
