'Oz the Great and Powerful' Day named by Seattle mayor as March 7

According to Seattle's Mayor Michael McGinn, March 7 will forever be known as "Oz the Great and Powerful" Day. Seattle is referred to as the real-life "Emerald City," so it has a special connection to the "Wizard of Oz" sort-of prequel.

SeattlePI spoke to McGinn's representative and asked why he decided to make the pronouncement, the spokesman said it was because "they [Disney] asked." Because of Seattle's nickname, Disney saw a special opportunity to connect "Oz" with Seattle officially, it seems.

"Oz the Great and Powerful" comes out on March 8. It stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz, and was directed by Sam Raimi. The movie tells the origin story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.