BOX OFFICE: OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL Looks Set To Open To $80+ Million
Unlike Warner Bros.' fantasy flop Jack the Giant Slayer, Disney and Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful is tracking well, as insiders predict a huge opening weekend in North America of $80 million or more. Read on for details!
Tracking is never all that reliable, with many movies often veering far wide of the projected numbers. They do still however give us an indication of what to expect from the financial performance of upcoming releases, and according to Deadline, Oz: The Great and Powerful looks set to take the North American box office by storm this weekend. Insiders - including those from RIVAL studios - are predicting that the Sam Raimi helmed movie will earn a whopping $80+ million during its first weekend, laying waste to any fears that Disney have another John Carter sized flop on their hands (that $200 million film went on to gross only $73 million domestically). With a $100 million marketing campaign, it's hoped that the Wizard of Oz prequel will also perform well overseas, just like $1 billion hit Alice in Wonderland. If these numbers are correct, expect this to be the beginning of a brand new Disney franchise. Are you guys looking forward to the movie?
"Oz The Great and Powerful" imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
STARRING:
James Franco as Oscar Diggs/Oz
Mila Kunis as Theodora
Michelle Williams as Glinda the Good Witch
Rachel Weisz as Evanora
Zach Braff as Frank and Finley
Joey King as China Girl
Abigail Spencer as Mrs. Hamilton
Ted Raimi as Skeptic/Tinker
Tony Cox as Knuck
Tim Holmes as The Strong Man
RELEASE DATE: March 8th, 2013.