James Franco heading to Oz?

                                      

Oscar nominee James Franco is in talks to replace Robert Downey, Jr. as the wonderful wizard in the upcoming Disney movie OZ: The Great and Powerful.

The film will be set before Judy Garland's original 1939 movie and focuses on an illusionist who flees a travelling circus in a hot air balloon which is caught up in a tornado and swept to the land of Oz.

Downey, Jr. walked away from the movie last month and Disney bosses had reportedly approached Johnny Depp to take on the role but he is tied up with other filming commitments.

Now Franco is the new favourite.