In 1905 Kansas, Oscar Diggs is a magician and con artist in a traveling circus. The circus strongman learns Oscar has flirted with his wife and threatens him. Oscar escapes in a hot air balloon but is sucked into a tornado that takes him to the Land of Oz. There he encounters the naïve witch Theodora, who believes him to be the wizard prophesied to become King of Oz by defeating the Wicked Witch, who killed the previous king. The idea of being a wealthy monarch makes Oscar accept the role. En route to the Emerald City, Theodora falls in love with Oscar though he does not reciprocate her feelings. They encounter the flying monkey, Finley, who pledges a life debt to Oscar when he saves him from a lion. Oscar reveals his deception to Finley and forces him to maintain the idea that he is the wizard. Oz the Great and Powerful 2013
At the Emerald City, Theodora’s older sister Evanora tells Oscar that the Wicked Witch resides in the Dark Forest and can be killed by destroying her wand. On the way to the forest they are joined by an orphaned living china doll whose village and family were destroyed by the Wicked Witch. The three reach the forest and discover the “Wicked Witch” is the late king’s daughter Glinda the Good Witch, and Evanora is the true Wicked Witch. Evanora sees this with her crystal ball and tricks Theodora into thinking Oscar is trying to court all three witches at once. She offers Theodora a magic apple “to remove her heartache” but it turns her into a hideous green-skinned creature.
Glinda brings Oscar’s group to her domain to escape Evanora’s army of Winkies and flying baboons. She confides in Oscar that she knows he is not the wizard but still believes he can help stop Evanora. He reluctantly takes charge of an “army” of Quadlings, Tinkers and Munchkins.