Steve Carell's upcoming magician comedy gains a director

Charles McDougall is in talks to direct Burt Wonderstone, the long gestating magician comedy with Steve Carell attached to star.

The project was originally set up in 2006. The story is "set in the world of rival Las Vegas magicians. Carell will play a more traditional magic man who is dethroned by a hip younger illusionist and must then find a way to rediscover his love for magic."

New Line has a fall start scheduled for the comedy originally written by Chad Kultgen. John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein wrote the current script. Chris Bender and J.C. Spink are producing with Benderspink as is Tyler Mitchell. Carell is also producing via his Carousel banner.

Jake Kasdan had been previously attached to direct the film before Carell was attached.

McDougall is a good fit for th project. He has directed Carell in numerous episodes of The Office. He also helmed episodes of Parks and Recreation, The Tudors, and Sex and the City. He won an Emmy for directing the pilot for Desperate Housewives.

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