We’ve known for years that Raimi would be tackling another tentpole film sooner rather than later, but the most likely film for him to direct has changed many times. The collapse of Spider-Man 4, the lack of traction for The Hobbit, and a duel between Legendary and Disney on behalf of World of Warcraft and OZ: The Great and Powerful have all added to the mists that have clouded Raimi’s future. However, the fog has lifted- Raimi has committed to directing Oz for Disney, a project that will roll next year, according to Deadline.
In all the coverage of Raimi’s waxing and waning interest in the film, one constant has been that he wants Robert Downey Jr. to slide behind the wonderful wizard’s sleeve curtain, in the event he directed. Apparently prospects on that arrangement have improved, with Downey “warming as Raimi honed the movie.” Sounds hot.
The film is also set to be re-written, this time by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire. The scribe’s most recent success is seeing Rabbit Hole, a film he adapted from his own award-winning play, be acquired by Lionsgate and positioned as an Oscar contender.
The end of the year should bring a lot more news as the new script is turned in and Raimi gears up for production. Expect casting announcements even sooner than that.
11 comments
Whatever. Raimi is working on a different project each month, and none of them go anywhere.
Remember when he was set to adapt The Wee Free Men? Anyone?
His Warcraft movie sounded a million times more interesting. A fucking new wizard of oz movie? Who asked for this? Alice in Wonderland sucked balls, but at least that only existed as a cartoon. Warcraft would at least take him back towards Army of Darkness style territory, except with a budget.
"Alice in Wonderland sucked balls, but at least that only existed as a cartoon."
What?
Works for me. I only have a modicum of interest in a new Oz movie. But I coulnd't give half a shit about Warcraft, so it's the lesser of two pointless movies.
Sorry, I should have explained that better. Alice was one of the original disney cartoons. The only live action version I can think of was a made for TV thing from the 80's. That and The Matrix, I guess. So, I can see it having a need to be created into a live action film. Wizard of Oz already is a live action movie. And frankly, with the regard that the original has, I can't see this being anything other than a dissapointment. The original is a product of its time. The introduction of color. All this is going to introduce is attrocious CGI and a shitty cast. Why do I want RDJr in this? I don't. I agree that I could also care less about Warcraft as a property, but it seems like it could end up being a better fit for Raimi than some unneccessary remake.
lol at the only live action version………check out google……….wealth of information there……..
Maybe we'll see Bruce Campbell as The Cowardly Lion? Or maybe all three of the heavily CGI'd Lollipop Guild? Or a winged monkey? I would like to see he and Downey engage in an onscreen bitchfest. Raimi should can OZ and just remake Whatever Happened To Baby Jane with these two. Okay, I'm done now.
I gotta say, I'm just not a Raimi fan. He's had a few entertaining films, but I really couldn't call them good. In fact, in some cases the "badness" is exactly what made them entertaining. And while Spiderman 2 was a fun ride, Raimi's heavy handed cartoon style never did it for me. Why he seems so sought after is a mystery to me. Could it be a couple of healthy box office takes alone? BTW: the captcha… it tasks me!
It's not a remake and I think Raimi's style fits with the aesthetic of the classic film (more so than the books). This needs lots of midgets and flying monkeys to succeed, though. Granted, I believe any movie could be improved by the addition of midgets and flying monkeys but…
The Hobbit movie has a better chance of getting made than the Warcraft movie ever will, with or without Raimi. Good on him.
@#8: You obviously don't know anything about filmmaking, so stop "tasking" your brain trying to figure out why Raimi is an A-List director. Fuckwit.
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