Johnny Depp Replaces Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Oz’

Robert Downey Jr. has officially dropped out of Disney’s “Oz, the Great and Powerful,” leaving the studio to look for another lead. He seems to have been found in longtime Disney collaborator Johnny Depp.

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that, while Downey was never officially attached – in the sense that he hadn’t signed a contract – he was the man for the film seen as a loose prequel to the famous “Wizard of Oz.”

Now that he’s backed out for conflicting schedules presumably, Disney needs to find another lead – and it has to do so fast because this project is a high-priority one with the studio.

“Robert Downey Jr. has fallen out of Oz, the Great and Powerful, Disney’s prequel-ish take on The Wizard of Oz tale, and the studio is in discussions with Johnny Depp to step into the great wizard’s robe,” THR reports.

“Sam Raimi is due to direct the tale of Oz as a young illusionist with a grandiose attitude who is forced to flee a traveling circus. His hot air balloon is swept up by a tornado to the land of Oz, which is run by two magical wicked witches,” says the same e-zine.

“While it doesn’t have a start or release date, the Joe Roth production is a high priority for the studio, which hopes to start production in the second half of the year,” THR further notes.

Apparently, Disney is so set to get things moving with “Oz” that it’s already hired a production manager, putting him in charge of creating the world of Oz even before they have a date for the start of production.

Since Depp has already worked with the studio on box office hits like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Alice in Wonderland,” the only reason he may pass this offer is if he’s schedule doesn’t allow him to accept it, THR believes.

For 2011, Depp is attached to two huge productions, “Dark Shadows” and “The Lone Ranger.”