Post-"Scrubs" Zach Braff has stuck mainly to the indie scene, following his directorial debut "Garden State" with writing gigs (he has an Off-Broadway play premiering in New York) and acting in smaller dramas like "The High Cost of Living." The man is certainly doing what he wants to do -- but even thespians have to eat.
The "Garden State" star is set to make the leap to big-budget, fantasy films with "Oz: The Great and Powerful," where, according to Deadline, he'll play the loyal servant of James Franco's Wizard. The movie is a prequel to the classic film "Wizard of Oz," an origin story of how a circus magician found himself whisked away in a hot air balloon to the extraordinary world.
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole") and directed by Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man"), Braff joins "Oz" co-stars Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz as a trio of witches, all with varying degrees of evil. The movie rides the billion dollar success wave of "Alice in Wonderland," which was also masterminded by "Oz" Joe Roth.
For Braff, this is a huge step in his evolving career, playing with big name talent and could afford him more opportunities to get his own projects off the ground. Also, he's just a funny dude.
And the world always needs more funny dudes.
"Oz: The Great and Powerful" is set to debut in theaters March 8, 2013.
