EXCLUSIVE: 10 Cloverfield Lane helmer Daniel Trachtenberg is in talks to direct Lionsgate’s film about master illusionist Harry Houdini. This is the film that seemed to pull a vanishing act after reports that Johnny Depp was going to star and Dean Parisot direct. That went by the wayside in a puff of smoke, but I’ve confirmed that Trachtenberg is negotiating to take on a project based on the William Kalush and Larry Sloman’s book The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero. The film has all the elements for a prestige project. The script is by Noah Oppenheim, who won the scripting prize at the Venice Film Festival earlier this fall. And it’s being produced by Frank Marshall and American Beauty’s Bruce Cohen. Houdini is depicted here not just as the master of magic, but as an adventurer and investigator of the occult. Trachtenberg is repped by ICM Partners and Oasis Media Group.
Lionsgate's Houdini movie has been in the works since 2009 and has seen several writers, directors, and even actors come and go. He's hoping this time something will come of this. 10 Cloverfield Lane was one of my favorite movies of the year, so I'm all for this choice.
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When we talk about Houdini projects in the works everyone loves the idea of Hugh Jackman playing the part and often suggest Jim Carry and Adam Sandler, and once in a while Jack Black. But by far the most interest and excitement occurs when Johnny Depp is mentioned.
ReplyDeleteDick Brookz and Dorothy Dietrich
The Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA
The Only Building in the World Dedicated to Houdini
Johnny Depp was once rumored for this movie. I've heard that he really is interested in playing Houdini. Years back he did some research at the Magic Castle.
DeleteI hope this pans out. My pick for Harry would be Leonardo DiCaprio (after a few months in the gym). After seeing ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Wolf of Wall Street’, I think he’d be an excellent choice. Or perhaps Robert Downey Jr.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if this actually comes to fruition, this might become the new ‘Houdini jumping off point’ for a younger audience (ala the Tony Curtis movie).
DiCaprio would be great, but I think he's out of reach for this kind of movie. Not sure what age HH is in Oppenheim's script, but a lot of the past favorites are now a little too old or have grown too big. It might be time for a whole new Houdini. Michael Weston? :)
DeleteI hope they make this movie. Maybe Miles Teller or Oscar Isaac could fit the part if they can't afford Depp.
ReplyDeleteJack
Houdiniandhardeen.wordpress.com
I'LL DO IT FOR NOTHIN!!!!
ReplyDeleteRobert Downey Jr is my all time favorite for the part of houdini
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