CHRONICLE Writer Max Landis Taking on HOUDINI Film Project
I'm surprised that Hollywood still has yet to make a movie based on the life of the legendary magician Harry Houdini. The History Channel is shooting a miniseries with Adrien Brody, and there are a couple other film projects that have been in the works over the years, such as Summit Entertainment's adaptation of the book The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero. None of the films that have been announced seem to be moving forward, though.
Now, according to to Deadline, Sony Pictures has hired Chronicle screenwriter Max Landis to write a draft of a script that will focus on the life of the legend. Apparently the story will have an HP Lovecraft influence. Other than that, there's not much information. But for those of you who are familiar with the life of Houdini, you know there's a lot of material to work from, and it's all interesting! I love the history of magic, and Houdini played such a huge role in the development of it.
Landis also has worked on scripts for Frankenstein, which will star James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, and American Ultra, with Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart.