New details have emerged on Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful.  As we previously reported, the film is a prequel/re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz and would tell how the Wizard (which Robert Downey Jr. is unofficially attached to play) came to the merry old land of Oz and land the title of Wizard.  Since these new details could be considered spoilers, I've put them after the jump.

Hit the jump to read more about Oz the Great and Powerful.  Principal photography is expected to begin next summer.

Here's the new info about Oz the Great and Powerful [via Pajiba]:

The Wizard — a snake-oil salesman posing as a magician — enters Oz via a hot-air balloon, which he uses to escape an angry husband who has found out that Oz slept with his wife. There, Oz — a fast-talking huckster who wears a velveteen frock coat (yes, I can see that) — falls in love with Glinda (the Good Witch), and the two combine forces to fight the evil witches Evanora and Theodora. Theodora starts out as a good witch, but after Oz jilts her sexual advances, Evanora — the truly evil witch — convinces Theodora to become an evil witch with her and help her to rule all of Oz.

Based on that description of The Wizard, it's not difficult to see Downey Jr. killing at the role.

However, it's odd that, at least according to this description, The Wizard's name is "Oz".  I suppose it's possible that he named the land after himself once he became Wizard.

Oz The Great and Powerful is one of several Wizard of Oz re-imaginings in the works.  There's also Surrender Dorothy, Warner Bros.' Oz and a darker, untitled adaptation written by Josh Olson (A History of Violence), and Universal's adaptation of the musical Wicked.