Sam Raimi And James Franco Reflect On THE SPIDER-MAN TRILOGY

In the following interviews from the recent premiere of Oz: The Great and Powerful, both Sam Raimi and James Franco look back on how their time together on The Spider-Man Trilogy eventually led to them reuniting for The Wizard of Oz prequel. While the director talks about the challenges of working with an arrogant younger Franco, the actor recalls how coldly Raimi treated him during filming of Spider-Man 3 because he was playing a character trying to kill Peter Parker. These are two interesting stories from two very different perspectives, and despite any past differences, it's clear that the duo enjoyed working with each other on the Disney film which is expected to gross upwards of $80 million at the North American box office this weekend.

"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.