'Oz' stars share their favorite memories of metro Detroit
Posted:
Updated:
By Lee Thomas, Fox 2 News -
Michelle Williams said her daughter enjoyed attending The Roeper School (Credit: Fox 2 News)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
The new Disney movie "Oz: The Great and Powerful" is now in theaters. It was shot in Pontiac, and pumped more than $100 million into the Michigan economy.
It took more than six months to film, which gave stars lots of time to check out metro Detroit. They shared some of their favorite memories of Michigan with us.
Michelle Williams, who plays Glenda in "Oz: The Great and Powerful" had a good time spending six months shooting in the Motor City.
"So we started out going to summer festivals, and then I went to that haunted house. It's like the biggest one in the country -- Erebus," said Williams. "Then we went to like go see Santa at the mall. So we spanned all the seasons."
However, what really made this mom float in the clouds was finding a great place for her daughter to go to school.
"My daughter was in a school there called Roeper School. She would wake up on her birthday and ask to go to school," Williams explained. "She was so happy there. So if you're kid is happy, you're happy."
For the witch Theodora played by Mila Kunis, "I loved driving around Detroit. I loved that an hour and a half away was Christmas land. I loved it."
And Finley, Oz's sidekick, was Zach Braff, and it was good for his character if he monkeyed around while in Motown.
"[I] went to the zoo to do some monkey research," he said. "They were engaged in some intimate relations while I was there, and none of that made it into the film. I swear I have a picture. I was laughing with my friends. I was like I went to try and be a good actor and do research and this is what the monkeys were up to."
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:01:50 GMT
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-14 13:45:32 GMT
You may know him best from his role on the BBC's hit drama "Sherlock." But after this weekend, you'll know Benedict Cumberbatch as the latest in a long line of Star Trek villains.
You may know him best from his role on the BBC's hit drama "Sherlock." But after this weekend, you'll know Benedict Cumberbatch as the latest in a long line of Star Trek villains.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:12:00 GMT
Marvel Comic book legend Stan Lee made an appearance at the Detroit Comic Convention and FOX 2 was there to talk to him. What should Marvel fans be looking forward too?
Marvel Comic book legend Stan Lee made an appearance at the Detroit Comic Convention and FOX 2 was there to talk to him. What should Marvel fans be looking forward too?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:37:17 GMT
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return to the MASTERCHEF judging panel. After a nationwide search, only the best home cooks - including
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return to the MASTERCHEF judging panel.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:58:40 GMT
The Cannes Film Festival is missing one of its biggest stars of this year's festival: Ryan Gosling. That's because he's in Detroit shooting his directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster."
The Cannes Film Festival is missing one of its biggest stars of this year's festival: Ryan Gosling. That's because he's in Detroit shooting his directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:27 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:27:14 GMT
Carol Burnett, who became famous for playing a variety of characters in sketch comedy routines on her namesake television show, has been named the winner of the nation's top humor prize.
Carol Burnett, who became famous for playing a variety of characters in sketch comedy routines on her namesake television show, has been named the winner of the nation's top humor prize.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:33 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:33:57 GMT
The third time's the charm for Candice Glover on "American Idol. The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist won the Fox singing competition after auditioning a trio of times and making it to the finals this year.
The third time's the charm for Candice Glover on "American Idol. The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist won the Fox singing competition after auditioning a trio of times and making it to the finals this year.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:01:50 GMT
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:00 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:00:12 GMT
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Michelle Williams said her daughter enjoyed attending The Roeper School (Credit: Fox 2 News)
