5 Questions With ‘Oz The Great And Powerful’ Star Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis Interview
Mila Kunis Interview
Disney’s fantastical adventure Oz The Great And Powerful uncovers the origins of the beloved wizard character first brought to life in L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. As a cinematic prequel to the book, the eye-popping action follows the story of Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics. When Diggs is hurled away to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot – until he meets three witches, who aren’t convinced he’s the great wizard everyone is expecting. Reluctantly drawn into epic problems facing Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it’s too late.

Sam Raimi is the acclaimed director behind the action-packed spectacle, which boasts a stellar cast including James Franco as Oscar Diggs, the predestined wizard; Mila Kunis as the tormented young witch Theodora; Rachel Weisz as Theodora’s older sister, Evanora, the witch who rules over the Emerald City; and Michelle Williams as Glinda, the good witch.

With the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD of Oz The Great And Powerful about to be released, we sat down with Mila Kunis to hear her take on the project!

How did you get involved with Oz The Great And Powerful?

Mila Kunis: When I first met with [Oz The Great And Powerful director] Sam Raimi, we talked for four hours about the different characters – but from the very beginning, I gravitated toward Theodora. I had a great meeting, but I never thought for two seconds that I would appear in the movie. But then, a week later, Sam called and offered me the role. I was like, “What? Seriously?”

It had to be a magical experience walking onto the set of Oz The Great And Powerful for the first time. Can you tell me about it?

Mila Kunis: [Production designer] Robert Stromberg did such a beautiful job designing the sets. When you walk on to the set, you see it and you feel it. You can stand in Glinda’s castle. You can stand in the Emerald City. You can stand in the cemetery or in the Whimsy Woods. Everything was tangible and real. It was amazing.

What was it like working with Sam Raimi on this project? What were you able to learn from him?

Mila Kunis: I love Sam. He’s great, he’s brilliant, he’s sweet, he’s kind, he’s generous, and he’s wonderful. He’s a great director. I learned a lot of things. I learned how to wear a corset and I learned how to fly. I learned a lot about patience, too. Sam is incredibly patient with his crew and his cast. He’s also incredibly trustworthy. Oh, and I learned that it gets very cold in Detroit [where the movie was shot] during wintertime and very hot during spring!

At the start of Oz The Great And Powerful, your character is a girl who desperately wants to believe in good. Are you similar in real life, too?

Mila Kunis: Yes, I think so. I really do. I believe in good, and I don’t necessarily believe in the opposite – but I am not as naïve as my character. For example, I do believe that there are some people with a malicious intent, but I don’t think my character does in the beginning.

What was your first impression of the costumes used in the movie? 

Mila Kunis: The costumes in the movie are beautiful and incredibly ornate. Everything is handmade and hand-stitched, but there’s a corset underneath every single one of them, so they are incredibly uncomfortable to wear. That’s the truth. They look beautiful on a mannequin and they look beautiful in real life, but they aren’t comfortable when you’re hung up on wires 30 feet in the air for 17 hours. You have to put everything into consideration. Wearing the costume for two hours was not a problem. Wearing it for 17 hours… Ouch.

Oz The Great And Powerful is available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on June 11th!

 

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  1. I wish you would have asked why she was so AWFUL once she turned into the wicked witch (and I mean “awful” as in bad acting—not as in an evil character). Once she was green, all she seemed to be able to do was screech and yell. I liked “OZ” but it could have been so much better if the acting had been better. James Franco added nothing (and he was the lead!). Michelle Williams—snore. Kunis was fine as Theodora…but then dissolved into a one-dimensional green banshee. Yawn. Only Rachel Weisz was consistently good (and deliciously wicked) throughout the film. She gave the best performance. Too bad a house falls on her later on. She was the best character.