"Oz the Great and Powerful": First official poster released

A poster for the film "Oz the Great and Powerful."

/ Walt Disney Studios

(CBS News) Walt Disney Pictures has unveiled the first official poster for its prequel to "The Wizard of Oz."

The live-action film, titled "Oz the Great and Powerful," stars James Franco in the title role. The cast also includes Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff and Rachel Weisz.

Pictures: James Franco
Pictures: Michelle Williams
Pictures: Mila Kunis

"Oz the Great and Powerful" takes place before Dorothy came over the rainbow. This time around, it's Oz - or Oscar Diggs, as he's known at the beginning of the story - who is whisked away from a Kansas circus to the magical land.

The poster is rife with "Wizard of Oz" imagery, including the yellow brick road, the Emerald City, the wizard's hot air balloon and a slew of tornadoes.

The film, directed by Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man"), is due to arrive in theaters in 2013. Raimi will be on hand to discuss the film at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 12, according to Entertainment Weekly.

This is one of three Oz-centric films currently in the works, EW reports. There's also "Dorothy of Oz," an animated version with Lea Michele voicing the title role, and a CG/stop-motion take from "Corpse Bride" co-director Mike Johnson.

Tell us: What do you think of the poster for "Oz the Great and Powerful"?

[bjgile]

Totally awesome poster!! Where can I get one? I am one of the biggest fanatics of the Wizard of Oz. I also loved the play and sound track of Wicked. "Oz the Great and Powerful", will be a great tribute.