We’ve already become acquainted on how Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, came to be from the book and broadway show ‘Wicked.’ Now we’ll soon hear the story of the Great Oz himself in ‘Oz, The Great and Powerful.’ James Franco (‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes, ‘ ‘127 Hours’, ‘Spider-Man’) stars in the film as “Oz” and we have a first look at how he will appear in the movie.

The image comes from the James Franco Forever Tumblr page and while it doesn’t contain anything revealing it does show Franco in period wear with the infamous hot air balloon behind him as well as the official logo for the film.

Sam Raimi (‘The Evil Dead’ reboot, ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy) directed the film from a script written by David Lindsay-Abaire (‘Rise of the Guardians,’ ‘Inkheart’). Since there’s going to be a panel at Comic-Con for the film, I’m sure the first footage of the film will hit online around the same time. By then, we should also see if the promo image below will also be part of the theatrical poster.

‘Oz, the Great and Powerful’ is being described as “a prequel to ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ that tells how the Wizard arrived in Oz and became the ruler.” Below is a little more detail about the movie:

Oscar Diggs as the small-time circus magician whose dubious ethics (basically he is a conman/showman) who is run out of Kansas and finds himself in the colourful Land of Oz, where a better life and fame is waiting for him. However the three witches of Oz, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams) aren’t so sure he is the Wizard the people of Oz have been expecting. Oscar finds himself drawn into the apocalyptic problems facing Oz and its inhabitants and will need all his magic and illusion to fight off the evil threat to save the day!

‘Oz, The Great and Powerful’ is slated to be released on March 8, 2013.