James Franco, Mila Kunis heading to “Oz” with Sam Raimi

By Sean O’Connell Hollywoodnews.com: James Franco and Mila Kunis have been signed to star in Sam Raimi’s “The Wizard of Oz” prequel “Oz, The Great and Powerful,” it is being reported. The two actors, both with ties to Oscar-nominated films, will play roles that have been attached to multiple A-list talents over the past few months. Franco will appear as a young illusionist who hops into a hot air balloon as he’s fleeing from a traveling circus and ends up in the land of Oz. At one point, Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp were in consideration for the part that eventually went to Franco. Kunis, meanwhile, will move from demonic ballerina to the role of witch Theodorah, who eventually goes on to be come the green-skinned Wicked Witch Of The West, who we know (and hate) so well. Nymag.com is reporting that Kunis “chose Raimi’s movie over the Hughes’ brothers’ forthcoming live-action remake of 1988 Manga movie ‘Akira.’ It was rumoured that Franco would appear in that remake too.” Oddly enough, Franco and Kunis shared screen time in the Steve Carell-Tina Fey comedy “Date Night,” playing a criminal couple who had reservations at a New York eatery but skipped them, triggering Fey and Carell’s wild night on the town. Raimi’s film, not to be confused with the oft-discussed adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked,” is expected to be in theaters in 2013. Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information. Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News