Actor, writer, and director Zach Braff (Garden State, Scrubs) is in final negotiations to join the cast of a new Disney flick, Oz: The Great and Powerful, which already includes James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz, reports Deadline.
Under the direction of Sam Raimi, Braff would play the role of wizard’s assistant in a prequel that is a retelling of the classic tale, but this time from the wizard’s point of view.
James Franco (Milk, 127 Hours) will play a charismatic circus magician who is treated as a powerful wizard after his balloon blows off course into Oz. The townspeople want Oz to get rid of the wicked witch and bring peace to their nation.
The trio of Oz witches includes Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz. Filming will begin next July in Michigan, with a release date slated for March 8, 2013.
Zach Braff recently starred in The High Cost of Living alongside the Quebec actress Isabelle Blais. He will also star in the drama The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea starring Jessica Biel and Chloe Moretz due out in 2012.
Braff has also written a play, All New People, which opens off-Broadway June 28.