<P> Kapner began developing an origin story for the Wizard of Oz after a lifelong interest of wanting to create one for the character . Walt Disney Pictures commissioned the film's production in 2009, with Joe Roth as producer and Grant Curtis, Joshua Donen, Philip Steuer, and Palak Patel serving as executive producers . Raimi was hired to direct the following year . After Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp declined the titular role, Franco was cast in February 2011, with principal photography commencing five months later . Danny Elfman composed the film's score . </P> <P> Oz the Great and Powerful premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on February 14, 2013, and with general theatrical release on March 8, 2013, through the Disney Digital 3 - D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D formats, as well as in conventional theaters . It grossed over $493 million worldwide against a $215 million budget, making it the 13th highest - grossing film of 2013 . The film won the Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Live Action Family Film . Kunis, for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West, won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain . </P> <P> In 1905 Kansas, Oscar Diggs works as a magician in a traveling circus . As a storm approaches, the circus strongman learns Oscar has flirted with his wife and threatens him . Oscar escapes in a hot air balloon, but is sucked into a tornado that takes him to the Land of Oz . There he encounters the beautiful yet naïve witch Theodora, who believes him to be a wizard prophesied to become King of Oz by destroying the Wicked Witch who killed the previous king; the idea of being an immensely wealthy monarch makes Oscar immediately accept . En route to the Emerald City, Theodora falls in love with Oscar, though he does not reciprocate her feelings . They encounter the flying monkey Finley, who pledges a life debt to Oscar when he saves him from a lion . Oscar reveals his deception to Finley, forcing him to maintain the lie that he is a wizard . </P> <P> At the Emerald City, Oscar meets Theodora's beautiful older sister, Evanora, who tells him that the Wicked Witch resides in the Dark Forest and can be killed by destroying her wand . Oscar and Finley are joined en route to the forest by China Girl, a young, living china doll whose village and family were destroyed by the Wicked Witch . The three reach the forest and, upon retrieving the wand, discover the "Wicked Witch" is Glinda the Good Witch, who identifies herself as the late king's daughter and Evanora as the true Wicked Witch . Evanora sees this with her crystal ball and tricks Theodora into thinking he is trying to court all three witches at once . She offers Theodora a magic apple she says will remove her heartache; Theodora bites it and turns into a hideous green - skinned witch . </P>

Oz the great and powerful glinda real name