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Sam Raimi To Direct ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Prequel

‘Spider-Man’ director has officially signed on for ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful.’ By Adam Rosenberg Sam Raimi Photo: Jason LaVeris/ Getty Images Is there anyone who wields enough strength to direct the great and powerful Wizard of Oz? Yes, there is: Sam Raimi. Deadline Hollywood reports that the “Spider-Man” director is officially signed on to direct Disney’s 3-D “Wizard of Oz” prequel, titled “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” which tells the story of how the Emerald City-dwelling sorcerer came to hold his seat of power. The news comes following reports yesterday that Raimi was in negotiations for the gig. “Oz: The Great and Powerful” is already set to star Robert Downey Jr. in the titular role. The story follows the future wizard, a circus wrangler in the real world, as he is carried away to the magical land by a tornado. The people who live there mistake him for a powerful being and thus, a legend is born. Raimi was left looking for a project to work with back in January, after he split with Sony over creative differences relating to the “Spider-Man” franchise. The director is currently developing an adaptation of the hit online role-playing game “World of Warcraft,” but the plan was for that to happen after “Spider-Man 4.” With the Marvel Comics superhero out of the picture, “Oz” fills the gap created in its absence. “Oz: The Great and Powerful” is one of several developing projects related to L. Frank Baum’s classic “Wizard of Oz” tale. “Glee” star Lea Michele was confirmed only yesterday as the lead voice in “Dorothy of Oz,” a 3-D animated feature adapted from Roger S. Baum’s — the original author’s great-grandson — same-titled book. That movie also features the voice talents of Patrick Stewart, Hugh Dancy, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi and a number of others. Further out is Warner Bros.’ “Oz” sequel, “Oz: The Return to Emerald City,” which has a script from “History of Violence” scribe Josh Olson. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Sam Raimi To Direct ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Prequel

Katy Perry Previews Teenage Dream At Beach-Themed Party

‘It looks like it’s going to be a sleepless year,’ Perry says at NYC listening party. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry Photo: MTV News NEW YORK — Katy Perry will release her new album, Teenage Dream, on August 24, but she’s getting an early start on creating buzz with beach-party-themed industry listening events. On Monday night, Perry brought her West Coast vibe to the East Coast, filling the Espace venue with beach balls, sand and lots of funky pop tunes. On the eve of her “California Gurls” video premiere , Perry played a number of other tracks off the album that mirrored that song’s bouncy, summertime pop feel. The title track, the album’s reported second single, picks up right where “California Gurls” leaves off. With a strong beat to back her up, Perry sings about a boy who makes her feel like a teenager again. The next track, which she told the crowd was her “f—ing opus,” is a shimmering tune that plays up Perry’s vocals and gives a slightly orchestral feel during the song’s chorus. Perry next played her party anthem “Last Friday Night,” which she explained had a purpose for being on the album: “There’s a lot of substance … but also some no brainers.” She likened the song to “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyes Peas. The midtempo party track recalls all the fun had in past nights. Perry displays some angst on the rock-tinged breakup anthem “Circle the Drain.” On it, Perry sings about leaving behind a lover or friend with a substance problem. Perry slowed things down with the ballad, “Pearl,” about a girl who was once a lighthearted woman until someone came along and changed her. She eventually switches the script, and it becomes an empowering song about change. But the general vibe of the album is levity and partying, emphasized by dance track “The One That Got Away” and the cheerleader-ish, double-entendre-filled “Peacock.” The final song previewed is the dreamy, midtempo ode to love, “Not Like the Movies.” Later on, MTV News caught up with Perry, who talked about her strategy of previewing these songs for people. “It’s really exciting to do these little beach party, Katy Perry, Teenage Dream listening parties. It’s funner — I love that word that doesn’t exist — it’s funner to do it in this environment, where it’s just free and fun and there’s a couple of drinks, people are eating, people are socializing, seeing people they haven’t seen in a while. “It looks like it’s going to be a sleepless year,” she continued. “It’s gonna be really fun. I think we’re going to do these type of things, especially for the fans. We’re just starting to roll the record out, and it’s all beginning again. Although I don’t feel like I’m back. I feel like it’s a continuum.” Are you excited for Katy Perry’s new album? What’s your favorite beach party music? Talk about it in the comments. Related Photos The Evolution Of: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry

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Katy Perry Previews Teenage Dream At Beach-Themed Party