Joey King In 'Oz: The Great And Powerful' As China Girl

For nearly as long as there's been talking cinema, the first voices added to flickering scenes reeled out to astounded audiences in picture houses, child stars have won the hearts of moviegoers. And why not? So often depicted as angelic, perfect versions of what childhood should be, singing and causing well-intentioned trouble, Hollywood's young leads became everyone's sons and daughters, little sisters and best friends.

The tradition, perhaps most originally and still best embodied by 30's curly-cued Shirley Temple, has now, it seemed, been handed down to Joey King. First seen in summer 2010's "Ramona & Beezus," embodying that good-intentioned youngster in the Beverly Cleary book adaptation, she's now found her way into two of the biggest films being cast in Hollywood.

All at the age of 11.

Having already signed on to the new Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises," King just nabbed a highly coveted role in the upcoming Disney prequel, "Oz: The Great and Powerful," joining an already star-studded cast.

According to Variety, King will play China Girl, a girl made of porcelain whom the Wizard, played by James Franco, takes under his wing after Rachel Weisz's Wicked Witch Evanora kills her family.

King also joins Mila Kunis, set to play eventual Wicked Witch of the West Theodora, and Michelle Williams, cast as Glinda the Good Witch.

Disney recently announced that the film will hit theaters March 8, 2013.

Want more King? She'll star in Amanda Peet's upcoming NBC comedy, "Bent," and you can always go check out her back library of work, including "Battle: Los Angeles," and "Horton Hears A Who."

For more, click over to Variety.