James Franco Enjoys Being 'Attached To Iconic' Parts Like 'Oz'

Actor plays title role in Sam Raimi's 'Wizard of Oz' prequel, which also stars Mila Kunis, Zach Braff.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

James Franco
Photo: Neilson Barnard/ Getty Images

At this point, we're pretty sure there's nothing that James Franco can't do. He's an Academy Award-nominated actor. He's the author of a collection of short stories called "Palo Alto." He directs, produces and writes his own films. He's cast in project after project, including Harmony Korine's "Spring Breakers" and the new Nick at Nite series "Hollywood Heights." He's even directing a documentary based on the world of pornography, all the while attending school in some fashion, as either a student or a teacher. We can hardly keep up!

One of the most anticipated projects on his plate is the Disney film "Oz: The Great and Powerful," in which Franco plays the title role alongside Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Zach Braff.

When MTV News caught up with the ever-talented actor, he told us that he enjoys being attached to a multitude of ventures, especially something as legendary as "Oz."

"I do like to do a lot of different things, and I think there is something really nice about being part of a bunch of institutions by being in this film," he explained. "Disney is a place that's been a big part of my life, and a lot of people's lives, since I was a kid. 'The Wizard of Oz' has also been a huge part of my life. The [L. Frank] Baum books were some of the first books I read on my own, so I like being attached to something as iconic as this."

The film, directed by Sam Raimi, is a prequel to "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" that explains how the wizard came to power in the land. And while the cast is tight-lipped about their roles in the movie, Mila Kunis offered up a tiny explanation about her character, Theodora, to MTV News' Josh Horowitz.

"She's a good person who gets her heart broken," the actress explained. "What happens to young ladies when their heart gets broken?"

"They turn into horrible, evil witches," Horowitz answered.

With a smile, Kunis replied, "You said it, not me."

Check out everything we've got on "Oz: The Great and Powerful."

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