Is Oz The Great And Powerful 2 still going to happen? The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by author L. Frank Baum was published back in 1900 and was the first novel in what became a long-running series. The book dealt with Kansas girl Dorothy being swept away to the fantastical Land Of Oz and meeting any number of strange characters like the Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion and the Wicked Witch of the West. The novel and its sequels have formed the basis for an almost countless number of adaptations, with the most iconic being 1939's The Wizard Of Oz starring Judy Garland.
The latter movie also received a belated sequel with 1985's Return To Oz, with the movie being the sole feature directing gig for legendary editor Walter Murch. This follow-up is a good deal darker and more twisted than the 1939 film, and while it wasn't a hit it has since become a cult favorite. There was even a Todd MacFarlane toyline from 2003 that presented a more horror-based take on Baum's characters; while there was talk of a movie adaptation with MacFarlane helming, this didn't happen. Another recent Wizard Of Oz remake/prequel came in the form of Sam Raimi's Oz The Great And Powerful from 2013.
Oz The Great And Powerful cast James Franco in the title role, explaining how his trickster magician first arrived in Oz and it also revealed the origin of the Wicked Witch of the West (Mila Kunis). While it didn't receive great reviews Wizard Of Oz 2013 was a modest success, but are plans for a sequel still in place?
The Cast Were Signed For Oz The Great And Powerful 2
The original movie told a relatively complete story but left room open for Oz The Great And Powerful 2. Mila Kunis played Oz The Great And Powerful's Theodora - AKA the Wicked Witch - and told E! Online in 2013 she and her co-stars were signed for follow-ups, while Michelle Williams said she would be happy to return for Raimi. Around this period Disney hired screenwriter Mitchell Kapner to pen the sequel, while the movie's producer Joe Roth ruled out a Dorothy appearance.
Sam Raimi Wasn't Signed For Oz The Great And Powerful 2
It appears Michelle Williams wasn't aware of Sam Raimi's thoughts on Oz The Great And Powerful 2, however. The director told Bleeding Cool (via Geeks Of Doom) he hadn't planned on making a follow-up, adding "I did leave some loose ends for another director if they want to make the picture. I tried to make it a complete ending so that the audience would be fulfilled, but I also let Evanora and Theodora get away."
While Raimi didn't completely rule out an Oz The Great And Powerful 2 return, he didn't seem particularly interested in one either.
Oz The Great And Powerful 2 Doesn't Seem To Be Happening
Progress on Oz The Great And Powerful 2 has been deathly silent since 2013, with no announcement being made. Sam Raimi took something of a break from directing movies following Oz but is set to finally return for Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness.
If a sequel was to move forward now, it's very unlikely Disney would use the James Franco Oz again, in light of the serious sexual misconduct allegations that have since come to light about the actor. It appears Disney has moved on from plans to produce Oz The Great And Powerful 2, and it currently looks unlikely it will happen.