In Other OZ News: Eddie Redmayne to Portray L. Frank Baum in New Biopic!

The Tracking Board reports that Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne will take on the role of "Wizard of Oz" author
L. Frank Baum in a new biopic for New Line Cinema.

Josh Golden wrote the script for the project titled ROAD TO OZ, which follows Baum's early life and the creation of his iconic 1900 children's novel, partially based on his sickly niece Dorothy. Baum's colorful life included a marriage to feminist and suffragist Maud Gage Baum. He also worked as a newspaper editor, store owner, poultry breeder and had a few acting gigs in live theater.

Redmayne has appeared in such films as Les Miserables and My Week with Marilyn, but has seen his career hit even greater heights recently. He received huge critical acclaim for his role as Stephen Hawking in the moving biopic The Theory of Everything, and swept the board during award season, picking up the Oscar, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards for his nuanced, engaging and hugely affecting performance. Now one of the most in-demand actors of his generation, we're particularly excited to see him take the role of Newt Scamander in J.K Rowling's upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, a spin-off from the Harry Potter universe.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos