For as long as we’ve heard about The Walt Disney Company’s Oz, The Great and Powerful, the plan has been for Robert Downey Jr. to star as the Wizard.
The movie, being directed by Sam Raimi, is based on the classic L. Frank Baum tale, The Wizard of Oz, but more of a spinoff of sorts, telling the story of the Wizard before he became the Wizard — back when he was just a young illusionist. Eventually, after running from the circus he was working with, his hot air balloon is caught in a storm and whisked off to Oz, where he creates a new life and establishes himself as an all-powerful wizard.
As much as everyone wanted to see Downey Jr. in the role, however, it’s being reported that the actor has had to step away from the project for unknown reasons. Thankfully, an equally respected actor is in the beginning stages of discussions with Disney to take on the role, and that actor is none other than Johnny Depp, naturally.
When thinking about this movie from the way it’s being described, Downey Jr. truly sounded like the best option, but when you lose someone like that it’s almost impossible to find anyone else better than Johnny Depp to step in.
Keep in mind this is just some early chats and Depp is by no means set to star, but if all goes well this project should remain on a decent path.
[Source: Heat Vision]
Here we go again, Depp will get the role and play the same quirky character he did in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland.
I love Depp’s acting but when he plays these quirky characters he just falls short.
Comment by Brian M. Frain — January 20, 2011 @ 1:45 pm
With Raimi directing he shoul turn it into a horror movie. Oh man that would be all kinds of epic awesomeness!
Comment by cylonlogicbomb — January 20, 2011 @ 4:36 pm
Sadly I get the same bad feeling.
But I don’t think the Wizard is much of a goofy, covered in make-up type character, so here’s hoping they do him as a much more realistic, charming character. When I heard Depp was playing Willy Wonka I imagined him as Gene Wilder and liked that thought a lot…until I saw where they went with it. Didn’t hate the movie but was upset by the Wonka.
Fingers crossed Raimi avoids the wacky and stays as grounded as one can for such a fantastical world.
Comment by The Movie God — January 20, 2011 @ 6:10 pm
I hadn’t even heard this movie was being worked on. I think Downey would have been great as the wizard. I also am not sure what to think about Depp stepping into that role. I was not impressed with his version of Willy Wonka or the movie. I am a huge fan of the Gene Wilder version and seeing Depp’s take just didn’t seem right. It’ll be interesting to see how this goes, assuming it all comes together.
Comment by Jeff in Texas — January 21, 2011 @ 9:52 am