Rachel Weisz is in talks to portray the evil witch Evanora in director Sam Raimi’s semi-prequel to the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ titled ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful,’ Slashfilm is reporting. The news comes after it was announced that James Franco has been cast as the man who becomes the wizard, and Mila Kunis is set to play Evanora’s evil sister, Theadora.

‘Oz: The Great and Powerful’ will follow Franco’s character, a snake oil salesman and illusionist, as he flees the traveling circus he has been working for. He ends up in a hot air balloon, which is whisked to Oz by a tornado. The salesman must then fight real magic and the evil sisters, who are battling for control of the land. Theodora is initially a good witch with Glinda, but is convinced by Evanora to switch sides and help her rule Oz.

Glinda, who becomes the Good Witch of the North in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ has yet to be cast. Reports are saying that Amy Adams, Kate Beckinsale, Keira Knightly, Rebecca Hall and Olivia Wilde are all contenders.

Written by: Karen Benardello

Rachel Weisz