Rachel Weisz joining Mila Kunis and James Franco in Oz, the Great and Powerful?

Oz, the Great and Powerful seemed to be entering into a battle of wills with director Sam Raimi wanting one actress and Disney pushing for another, but Variety brings word that a new name has now been thrown into the mix.

Rachel Weisz is the newest contender for the role of Evanora, the witch who becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. The film that could become a box office sensation would be a change of pace for Weisz, who usually sticks with indie and lower-budget films, although she has shown that she’s more than capable of holding her own in a big name production with her recurring role in the Mummy franchise.

If Weisz lands the part, she’ll be joining Mila Kunis as her witchy sister Theodora and James Franco as the ‘snake oil’ salesman who eventually becomes the Wizard.

In Raimi’s prequel, Franco’s character is forced to flee the countryside in a hot air balloon and ends up in Oz, where he soon crosses paths with three witch sisters and eventually becomes the ruler of the land.

Oz, the Great and Powerful is expected to start shooting later this summer, with a 2013 release date planned.