Is James Franco all over the place or is he?

Certainly, there are few careers as stimulating to watch (even the occasional booboo, like his hosting of the Academy Awards, adds to his likableness): edgy films like 127 hours, challenging roles (it took some nerve to play Alan Ginsburg in Howl) taking the time to attend a major university (Columbia), teaching summer classes at P.S. 1 along with Gus Van Sant and other luminaries, including Ryan Trecartin, the rising artist everyone is talking about…

Here is a man who certainly doesn’t want to miss out on anything. And now he’s all set to play a magician in a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, opposite Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz (the film is being directed by Sam Raimi and is a Disney property). Touching that iconic movie to top all iconic movies can be tricky but Franco has demonstrated his special magic in more ways than one.