Robert Downey Jr. has left Oz The Great And Powerful. While no specific reason was given, Downey is set to film The Avengers in the spring and Disney wants to shoot Oz The Great And Powerful later this year.

Disney is looking to move forward with the film, as they are already in pre-production with Sam Raimi set to direct. Word is that Disney has made overtures to Johnny Depp to star in the film, although that may be complicated. Depp is scheduled to work on Dark Shadows as well as The Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger is also a Disney project, and could be pushed back is Depp agrees to take the role in Oz.