Michelle Williams to join James Franco in 'Oz'

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Actress Michelle Williams (
Shutter Island,
Blue Valentine) has signed on to play Glinda, the Good Witch in
Oz: The Great and Wonderful, costarring James Franco and Mila Kunis, as reported by
Variety.

This prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz story, to be directed by Sam Raimi ( Batman), re-imagines the Wizard, played by Franco, as a slick salesman who lands in Oz and teams up with Glinda to fight her evil sisters in a power struggle for Oz.

Hilary Swank was also considered for the role of the Good Witch.

Kunis is cast as Theodora, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Rachel Weisz is in talks to possibly play Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East. Weisz may be up for the new Bourne film with Jeremy Renner, so there may be a scheduling conflict.

Next, Williams will portray Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn with Kenneth Branagh (director of Thor) and Emma Watson ( Harry Potter), about Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier during the production of The Prince and the Showgirl.

She will also co-star in Take This Waltz with Seth Rogen ( The Green Hornet), to be written and directed by actress Sarah Polley ( Dawn of the Dead).

RC

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