James Franco Says “Oz” Isn’t a ‘Wizard of Oz’ Remake
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs in Oz The Great and Powerful, out Friday. Appearing Wednesday on ABC’s Good Morning America, the actor said the new 3D Disney film is much more than a remake of the iconic Wizard of Oz film.
“[The producers] did it right because they’re not trying to remake the Judy Garland film, but they’re respectful of the Land of Oz that everyone knows and loves so there’s the yellow brick road and Emerald City and witches and flying monkeys,” Franco told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “But the protagonist is not a boy version of Dorothy or anything like that…He’s anything but an innocent young girl. He’s a con man. He’s a charlatan.”
Franco’s character is a so-so magician, who finds himself in the Land of Oz and is forced to decide if he uses his power to become a good man.
While on GMA, Franco also weighed in on Seth MacFarlane and how he did hosting the 85th Annual Academy Awards in February. Franco did the honors with Anne Hathaway in 2011.
“I didn’t really see it, but I’ve seen clips. And, he’s great!” Franco said. “He’s a funny guy and if he was born to do anything, it was that.”
Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful hits theaters in 3D on Friday. To celebrate the release, Franco will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday.
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