Disney’s balloon tour drawing to a close

Disney is conducting a hot air balloon tour across America to promote the upcoming movie Oz the Great and Powerful. On Friday, the balloon passed by the Home Shopping Network (HSN) headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. While high wind levels prevented the gathered crowds from enjoying rides in the balloon, attendees were reported to have enjoyed themselves. HSN currently has an agreement with Disney to help promote the company’s beauty, jewellery and fashion products as well as home accessories. Having already set down in Hollywood, Anaheim and Daytona Beach, the balloon is set to end its promotional tour in March when it reaches Central Park in New York. Oz the Great and Powerful is written as a prequel to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, which starred Judy Garland and saw the protagonist Dorothy Gale and her faithful pooch Toto transported to a land of mystery and magic. The only way for Dorothy to leave the land of Oz and get home to Kansas is to take a ride in the wizard’s hot air balloon. In the upcoming prequel, it will be revealed how the wizard came to Oz in the first place. James Franco, who has starred in a number of blockbusters – including Rise of the Planet of the Apes and 127 Hours – is taking up the role of the mysterious wizard. The film also stars Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Zach Braff of Scrubs fame. It will be shown in cinemas across the UK from 8th March.