Sam Raimi starts shooting Oz the Great and Powerful, now with full plot synopsis

I sort of wish that Sam Raimi was doing that World of Warcraft movie that was being talked about for so long, instead of this WIZARD OF OZ prequel, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, that sounds…strange to say the least.

Filming has now begun on the project, which is set to be released in 2013. With that announcement comes this official plot synopsis that gives us a better look at the story.

Oz The Great and Powerful imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

I still think Franco is a rather weird choice here, as Robert Downey Jr. and the trickster showman seemed like a much more obvious choice. But who can say no to that lovely witch trio right? This is going to be something, that’s for sure.