Sam Raimi, the renowned director known for his work on the Spider-Man trilogy and the horror classic 'The Evil Dead', is set to helm a modern adaptation of the cult horror film 'Magic'. This exciting development marks a return to the genre for Raimi, who has been praised for his recent survival thriller 'Send Help'.
The original 'Magic' was based on a William Goldman novel and featured Anthony Hopkins as a mentally unstable ventriloquist. The 1978 cult classic, directed by Richard Attenborough, showcased the complex relationship between the magician and his obnoxious dummy, Fats. The film's iconic TV ad, featuring only the dummy's face, declared, 'Magic is fun, we're dead.'
Raimi's involvement in the remake is a significant draw, as he will bring his signature style and expertise to this modern take on the story. The script, written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, who also penned the 'Freddy vs. Jason' and 'Friday the 13th' remakes, promises to update the original while retaining its essence. The story centers around a magician's struggle to maintain his sanity and control over his dummy as he navigates a network deal and personal demons.
Lionsgate's motion picture group chair, Adam Fogelson, expressed enthusiasm about Raimi's involvement, stating that it represents a perfect match of director and material. The production team, including Roy Lee, Chris Hammond, Tim Sullivan, and Zainab Azizi from Raimi Productions, along with Nathan Kahane, Paul Fishkin, and Andrew Childs, ensures a strong foundation for the project.
This adaptation is a testament to Raimi's versatility and his ability to breathe new life into classic horror material. With his track record of delivering engaging and suspenseful films, 'Magic' is poised to become another landmark project in his illustrious career. As the project progresses, fans can anticipate a thrilling and modern interpretation of this iconic horror tale.