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Critics are divided about Sam Raimi’s “Oz, the Great and Powerful.” But audiences love it. Last night, “Oz” took in more than $24.1 million. For the weekend, it will bring in $70 million plus. That includes rotten weather on the east coast last night, so today and tonight may be bigger than thought. “Oz” is coming to a third biggest ever March opening.
Bravo! The movie looks great, and the actors are all terrific starting with James Franco and the three witches–Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis. Moreover, Disney has ordered up the sequel. I don’t know what some people thought the movie would be–the actual “Wizard of Oz” cannot be duplicated and no one tried to do it. The movie was made in 1938, kids. That this “Oz” approximated its charm in a modern way is the accomplishment.
For those who want to see Franco in a less conventional role, wait til you see him in “Spring Breakers.” Harmony Korine’s wild saga is a week away. Franco is a rapper-drug dealer into three-ways. He steals the movie from all the so- called “kids.” A couple of white rappers are already say they inspired his look. But the character is all original, and very adult. In “Spring Breakers,” we are not in Kansas anymore.
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Director Sam Raimi, James Franco, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis were all in attendance on February 27th at the Oktyabr Multiplex in Moscow.
Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. 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 wizard but into a better man as well.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Josh Donen and Philip Steuer are serving as executive producers.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

James Franco, star of the Disney fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” which is scheduled for release on March 8, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The race is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX and will also be broadcasted on FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
Franco will give the starting command, “Drivers start your engines,” in “The Great American Race.” He’ll also be introduced at the driver’s meeting, participate in pre-race ceremonies and ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during the pace laps prior to the green flag of the 200-lap, 500-mile race.
“We’re excited to welcome James Franco and have him take part in the pre-race festivities for the Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “In front of thousands of race fans and millions more watching on FOX, we’re looking forward to hearing James’ enthusiastic starting command to kick off the Daytona 500 and the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
“Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. 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 wizard but into a better man as well.
Joe Roth produced “Oz The Great and Powerful,” with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire.
Franco will next be seen in Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers.” His credits include “127 Hours,” in which he received a Best Actor Oscar® nomination, “ the “Spider-Man” trilogy, “Milk,” “Pineapple Express” and most recently “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”
Franco joins the prestigious list of previous Daytona 500 Grand Marshals including John Travolta, [...]

This banner dropped awhile ago, but I never got around to posting it so I’m using it at the top for convenience. After the jump you’ll get the four character posters that dropped on Friday but officially dropped from Disney on Monday. In my essay last week about The Little Mermaid 3D, I included this film as a Disney property that was technically targeting boys but had female appeal. I still stand by that statement, as the film is clearly James Franco’s journey.
But it must be stated that the film also has three major female characters, all played by actresses of note and at least one of them playing something other than the love interest (I’m presuming some misdirection with Mila Kunis being revealed as the main ‘wicked witch’). It doesn’t mean I don’t think the film looks a little iffy or that Franco seems to be attempting to give a bad performance, but it does mean that we’ll get a major would-be tent pole where the major female characters outnumber the major male ones. That frankly doesn’t happen all that often so it deserves notice when it does.
Also of note is Michelle Williams’s role in this, as it represents the acclaimed actresses’s first tentpole appearance and her first major role in an overtly commercial picture since oh, Halloween: H20 in 1998 (you could say the superb Dick in 1999, but that flopped anyway). Yes I know she cameoed in Shutter Island and did a voice in Where the Wild Things Are, but you know what I mean! Anyway, the character posters are after the jump. And no, I will not be posting the 12-second teaser for this Sunday’s Super Bowl commercial.
to see more posters go to Mendelson’s Memos
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HollywoodNews.com: Most women wouldn’t mind acting out a sex scene with James Franco, but it seems that Vanessa Hudgens isn’t one of them.
Hudgens and Franco had to tackle a sex scene for the film ‘Spring Breakers,’ something the actress is happy to have over, states UsMagazine.com. “I told my agent that I never want to do it ever again,” Hudgens said about being incredibly nervous for the scene.
However, Hudgens isn’t staying away from racy roles because of that sex scene as she will next star as a stripper and prostitute in the film ‘Frozen Ground.’
Do you like that she’s taking on more adult roles?
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HollywoodNews.com: James Franco was recently linked to ‘Pretty Little Liars’ star Ashley Benson, but he is shooting down the scandalous rumors.
Franco took to Huffington Post to comment on all the romance rumors going on, states People. “I … hear that I’ve been dating Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart and Ashley Benson. Hot damn, am I a lucky guy. I wish I had actually gotten closer than the 13th row of the theater in Toronto where Kristen gave her On the Road Q and A, but I didn’t. Not only did I not talk to her, I didn’t even go to SoHo House where I supposedly asked her out on a date,” Franco started.
He then added, “As for Gomez and Benson, those are [Justin] Bieber’s girls and I wouldn’t dare tangle with the Biebs. I heard he wants to kick my ass. Yikes!”
Benson was reportedly dating a friend of Bieber’s before allegedly hooking up with Franco. The rumors about those two seem to possibly be true as photos were released of them allegedly looking cozy at Halloween Horror Nights in Los Angeles.
Do you think they are dating?
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HollywoodNews.com: James Franco has apparently found some romance on the set of his latest movie as it is reported he is dating one of his costars from ‘Spring Breakers.’
It is rumored that he has been dating Ashley Benson, also from ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ states E! News. The two reportedly met on the set of the film and were recently spotted holding hands at L.A.’s Haunted Hayride.
Reps for the stars have not commented on the recent romance rumors.
Do you like them as a couple?
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HollywoodNews.com: It looks like Kristen Stewart may have found her rebound guy after her cheating scandal seems to have broken up her longtime relationship with Robert Pattinson.
It is being rumored that Stewart met James Franco while both were at the Toronto Film Festival, and he was a little smitten with her, states RadarOnline. The two were reportedly laughing and smiling while they briefly spoke. He even allegedly got her phone number after the exchange.
However, Stewart reportedly shot down dinner with him, but it is rumored that things might move forward with them if a reconciliation doesn’t happen with Pattinson.
Do you like these two as a possible couple?
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HollywoodNews.com: Amanda Seyfried has wrapped filming on yet another project as her Linda Lovelace film has completed with a celebration.
Filming of ‘Lovelace’ recently finished as the cast and crew celebrated with a wrap party at the Writer’s Room in Hollywood, states E! News. Castmates Chris Noth, Juno Temple, Eric Roberts, Debi Mazar and codirectors Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein were reportedly all there along with Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard.
The film also includes James Franco and Sarah Jessica Parker who recently replaced Demi Moore.
Will you check out the film?
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HollywoodNews.com: James Franco is getting to play a pretty iconic man as he has transformed into a young Hugh Hefner for the upcoming film ‘Lovelace.’
Franco will be making a cameo as Hefner in the much talked about film starring Amanda Seyfried as porn star Linda Lovelace, states UsMagazine.com. Franco was dressed just like the ‘Playboy’ founder and even had his 60s/70s hairstyle down.
Demi Moore recently pulled out of the role of Gloria Steinem in the film, but is reportedly already being replaced by Mary-Louise Parker.
Will you watch this film?
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