The Houdini Box lands a writer-director

Variety reports that 20th Century Fox-based Chernin Entertainment has tapped tap Irish filmmaker Kealan O'Rourke to write and direct an adaptation of Brian Selznick's young adult novel The Houdini Box. Chernin purchased the film rights to the book in August of last year.

O'Rourke is a veteran of short films, animation, and TV work. The Houdini Box would mark his feature film debut.

First published in 1991, The Houdini Box tells the story of an aspiring young magician who meets Houdini at a train station. The boy receives a letter inviting him to Houdini's house -- only to discover that the magician died that day and left him a mysterious, locked box.

Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping will produce The Houdini Box, while Kerry Foster will oversee the project. Variety notes that a representative for Chernin had no comment.

Considering O'Rourke's background, I'm wondering if they are considering making this as an animated feature?