Everybody knows Frank Oz was one of the founding fathers of the Muppets right alongside Jim Henson, but that's not the Oz we're talking about today. Previously we've brought you information about the next Muppet made-for-tv-movie, "The Muppets Wizard of Oz". Well, more news has come on the scene, and although we're behind on some of it, other parts of it we're right on top of.

We previously reported that Natalie Portman was being looked at for the human role of Dorothy, a role now being described as a country girl who wants to move to the big city and make a career singing. Well interest in Portman passed (if it was even there) and Disney's heroines were being looked at - first my favorite Disney gal Anne Hathaway, and then Hillary Duff who apparently was offered the role but turned it down because her "people" (her mother) wanted more money. Duff is reportedly a big Muppet fan and disappointed at the rejection.

The latest to be considered is apparently pop-sensation Ashanti, in an attempt to capture the feel of the Brandy/Whitney Houston version of Cinderella. I certainly have no issue with that, it was a pretty good version of Cinderella, but Ashanti? Her only real claim to fame thus far in anything (other then playing herself) was an episode of "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer". It's an interesting choice to say the least.

Further rumors suggest Quentin Tarantino and Queen Latifah have also been offered roles in "The Muppet's Wizard of Oz" although what those roles would be hasn't been mentioned. We'll let you know more as we find out.

Ashanti, Tarantino, and Latifah, huh? Toto - I guarantee you we aren't in Kansas anymore.

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