'Wizard of Oz' prequel directed by Sam Raimi in 3D

(AFP/Lucy Nicholson)

Since Sam Raimi, the previous director of the Spider-Man films, left that franchise, he has been chosen to direct the prequel to 1939 classic musical The Wizard of Oz.

An origins story titled Oz: The Great and Powerful, this film will tell how the Wizard came to be, from a circus wrangler to when a tornado landed him in Oz. Robert Downey Jr. is expected to portray the Wizard per entertainment website Deadline Hollywood.

David Lindsay-Abaire is rewriting the screenplay. He also wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole, which he adapted for the upcoming film starring Nicole Kidman.

Raimi, who created the Evil Dead horror franchise, is also set to direct an adaptation of the computer game World of Warcraft and the graphic novel Earp: Saints for Sinners, a sci-fi western mash-up.

Considering the type of action films Raimi directs, Oz may not be in Kansas anymore. Similar to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, it may take on a darker theme than the Judy Garland romp for kids.

Production is set to begin next year on the 3D film, according to movie news site Collider.

RC