EXCLUSIVE: Transformers duo Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing a movie about iconic escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini for Paramount.Plot details are being kept under wraps on the untitled development project but we understand it will be set of its time in the early 20th Century and have a Sherlock Holmes tone, dealing as it does with a human superhero type.Script is being written by Neil Widener and Gavin James who are also working with the studio on Jerry Bruckheimer’s Beyblade project.
Always great to hear about a new Houdini project. But before we get too excited (or upset), know that there have been dozens of announced Houdini movies that fail to escape from development. But I wish everyone involved in this latest project the best of luck.
UPDATE: I enjoyed this comment on the original Deadline story.
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Good idea for a film. Time to put the bio-pics to rest for a while. Hopefully, it involves spiritualism.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be great to show Houdini exposing fraudulent mediums and his quest for a real "spiritulist".
ReplyDeleteThat was the approach of the 1996ish screenplay by Stephen Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson. It also flashed back to points in his career. It's a great script that I think is still viable.
DeleteThe "superhero" mention and the hash they made of Holmes gives me pause.
ReplyDeleteNever fear! It's in the hands of the guys who make the Transformers movies. Oh wait...
DeleteThe upgraded seance room at the Castle sparked a Twilight Zone story in my mind about a modern day fake spiritualist who gets haunted by the real life ghost of Houdini. He or she is in the dark seance room with paying customers, and things begin to go awry.
ReplyDeleteThere was an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents called "Houdini on Channel 4" that is similar to that idea.
DeleteI think that bio-pics on Houdini - that mainly center on his last few years (i.e. battling Spiritualists & Doyle) have already been done to death in TV and films. Frankly, they bore me.
ReplyDeleteHoudini's entire life from childhood to manhood...is what's fascinating!
In the spirit of both of the 1953 "Houdini" film and Disney's "Young Harry Houdini"...I'd love to see a big screen portrayal of his humble boyhood beginnings such as the "Prince of the Air"; his teenage pre-Bess magic shows; the necktie factory; performing with Jacob Hyman; his carnival/sideshow days; his working relationship with Hardeen, etc.
I certainly won't hold my breath (underwater)..waiting for this planned film to hit the theaters....as John said - we've all been disappointed in the past with all of the proposed Houdini films & theater plays that went nowhere.