Oz-The-Great-and-Powerful-PosterThis Sunday’s Super Bowl is without a doubt one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and with a substantial number of people tuning in in the US and around the world, the film industry never fails to bring us some brilliant new TV spots and trailers during the game. This year will be no different, and Disney are kicking things off a little early, giving us a sneak peek at their spot for Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful.

We’ve seen nothing but good things from Raimi’s latest blockbuster, and the Super Bowl is the perfect place to cement its position as a contender for one of the year’s best big-budget movies.

“When Oscar Diggs, 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, Evanora and Glinda, 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.”

James Franco is front and centre here, with Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz completing the leading quartet very nicely. Joining them is a fine cast, headed up by Zach Braff (who also lends his voice in a dual role), Abigail Spencer, Tim Holmes, and Joey King.

Raimi is directing from a script by Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yards) and David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole). And Danny Elfman (Spider-Man) is once more taking scoring duties for the director.

Oz the Great and Powerful will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D on 8th March in the UK and US. And in just a few days’ time, we can look forward to another brilliant full look at the film at the Super Bowl. We’ll be bringing you all the TV spots and trailers that hit during the game – which we know will at least include the first trailer for Fast and Furious 6 – so be sure to come back at the end of the weekend to watch them as they arrive.

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