THE ILLUSIONIST Movie Getting a CW Series Adaptation
Edward Norton's fantastic 2006 film The Illusionist is the latest movie to be added to the list of TV series adaptations. I really liked this movie, especially for the fact that it centered on magic, which is something I'm completely fascinated with. On top of that it had an intriguing story.
The movie was written and directed by Neil Burger, and it's set in 1889 Vienna. The story centers around a magician named Eisenheim (Norton), who is competing with the Crown Prince for the love of a noble woman (Jessica Biel). At the same time he's being chased and investigated by the chief of police (Paul Giamatti), who is suspicious of his talents.
The series is being written by Mark Hudis (True Blood), and according to Deadline, the new adaptation will take place in turn of the century New York. "It centers on a renowned illusionist who returns home from a decade in prison to find his wife married to the ruthless crime boss who framed him. Posing as an underling in the crime boss’s own organization, the illusionist uses cunning magic to pull off elaborate heists, rising quickly through the organization in order to take down the boss from the inside and win back his one true love."
It definitely sounds like it has potential to make for a really good series. They seemed to have changed the story around completely, and it really doesn't have anything to do with the movie other than is has a magician in it and a girl he loves. The series actually sounds even more exciting than the movie. I'll definitely be checking it out.