The plethora of Wizard of Oz based films currently in some state of production is getting confusing but, Walt Disney Pictures’ project seems to have the most teeth. First, it’s being produced by Joe Roth (Alice In Wonderland) and now, Robert Downey Jr. reportedly has his sights set on the lead role in Disney’s Wizard Of Oz prequel, Oz: The Great And Powerful (formerly entitled “Brick”.

Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) has also been reported as the front runner to helm the project, and production could begin as early as next spring.

Mitchell Kapner adapted the Oz project, which is based on ideas from the book series by L. Frank Baum. The wizard in the revamped version is expected to be darker than the MGM musical character as played by Frank Morgan. In Kapner’s script we see the wizard as a charlatan who’s part of a traveling circus who goes on a similar odyssey as Dorothy when he mysteriously lands in Oz.

[Source] LA Times | Production Weekly