Robert Downey Jr to play Wizard of Oz?

Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr is reportedly set to play the lead in a prequel to Wizard of Oz. The original 1939 movie, became a cinematic classic, while another film based on L. Frank Baum's books, Return To Oz, was released by Disney in 1985.

Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr is reportedly set to play the lead in a prequel to Wizard of Oz.

The original 1939 movie, starring Judy Garland, became a cinematic classic, while another film based on L. Frank Baum's books, Return To Oz, was released by Disney in 1985.

The movie-makers are preparing to return to the big screen in a new picture, titled Oz The Great and Powerful.

The film will be a prequel to the Garland movie, based on Baum's work, and will tell the story of a young circus magician who ends up ruler of the magical country after crash-landing there in a hot air balloon, reports dailystar.co.uk.

Filmmaker Sam Mendes is in talks to direct the picture.