Zach Braff Joins OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL Film?

According to Deadline.com, Zach Braff is in final talks to play the under-appreciated assistant to James Franco's title character in 'Oz, the Great and Powerful.' They join the previously announced Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis, and Michelle Williams. The movie begins production in July.

As previously reported, Sam Raimi will direct Disney's highly anticipated Wizard of Oz Prequel, 'Oz: The Great and Powerful'. The deal was confirmed by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Last January, Raimi left the Sony Pictures production of 'Spider-Man 4'. His absence from the movie leaves room for work on 'Oz'.

The story of 'Oz: The Great and Powerful', follows the future wizard, a circus wrangler in the real world, as he is carried away to the magical land by a tornado. The people who live there mistake him for a powerful being and thus, a legend is born. Studio heads, Rich Ross and Sean Bailey, are predicting major success for 'Oz'; similar to the high-grossing hit, 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Cinematical previously reported: "Scripted by Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yards), the plot concerns the back story of Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs (or O.Z. for short, as the rest of the initials spell out "PINHEAD"). A young circus magician from Omaha, O.Z. ends up ruler of the land also coincidentally called Oz when he mistakenly lands there in his hot air balloon. Apparently this is gaining heat because of the success of Alice in Wonderland while also coinciding with Universal's adaptation of Wicked, which is similarly an origin story inspired more than based upon the original Baum stories."

Zach Braff's feature film writing and directorial debut, Garden State, premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and earned him a coveted WGA nomination for "Best Original Screenplay." The film also earned him an Independent Spirit Award for "Best First Feature" as well as a nomination for "Best First Screenplay." In addition, Braff was awarded "Best Directorial Debut" by the National Board of Review, "Breakthrough Director" by the Hollywood Film Festival and "Most Promising Filmmaker" by the Chicago Film Critics Association. Braff can be seen this spring in the Tribeca film, High Cost Of Living, for director Deborah Chow. Braff was nominated for a 2005 Primetime Emmy Award and a 2005, 2006 and 2007 Golden Globe award for his portrayal of Dr. John "J.D." Dorian in NBC's comedy "Scrubs." His film credits include roles in The Broken Hearts Club, Getting To Know You, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Dreamworks' The Last Kiss and The Weinstein Company's The Ex. In addition to his role in last summer's Trust at Second Stage, Zach's stage experience includes roles in the Public Theater Productions of Twelfth Night and Macbeth directed by George C. Wolfe. Zach is a native of New Jersey and graduate of Northwestern.

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