James Franco In Talks For Oz, The Great & Powerful

HeatVision reports that James Franco (Pineapple Express, 127 Hours) is in early talks to take the lead role in Disney's Oz, The Great & Powerful. Robert Downey Jr. who had been rumored previously for the role has passed on it along with other projects to focus on Avengers. There had been speculation that Johnny Depp would be the studio's second choice but he recently passed too.

James isn't the type of actor you'd expect in this womanizing/conman role but he's never been pinned down as certain type of actor. Franco is also being linked to other big projects like Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Wrath of The Titans. I'm still holding out hope that Franco will join the Prometheus cast. I wouldn't be shocked to see director Sam Raimi hire him since they've worked together on the Spider-Man films.