Way back in 2012, Warner Bros. announced they were moving forward on aMandrake the Magicianmovie, based on the iconic comic strip created byLee Falkthat debuted in 1934. We haven’t heard anything further about this project in the four years since then, but now it seems to be moving forward, withSacha Baron Cohencoming aboard to star.Ethan Cohen, who made his directorial debut last year withGet Hard, is attached to direct.
The original comic strip followed the title character, an illusionist and a powerful hypnotist. He uses his abilities to fight crime with Lothar, one of the strongest men in the world. Universal Pictures produced a 12-part serial based on thecomic stripin 1939, but the character has not been seen on the big screen ever since. There was also a 1954 TV movie based on the character that starredCoe Norton, but now it seemsMandrakemay finally make his return after all these years.
The rights toMandrake the Magicianwere held by Disney for many years, before they were acquired by Baldwin Entertainment and Hyde Park.Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment picked up the rights in 2009, hiringJanet PeoplesandDavid Webb Peoples(12 Monkeys) to write the script. This new report fromThe Tracking Boardreveals that the most recent versions of the script were written byJanet Peoples,David Webb PeoplesandTom Wheeler(Puss in Boots).
This report claims that Warner Bros. plans on updating this character for the 21st Century, with the title character being recruited by the U.S. government for a topsecret mission.Charles RovenandAndy Horowitzare producing for Atlas Entertainment, withAlan GlazerandRocky Shepardserving as executive producers. During its various stages of development, writers such asPeter Magill,David Levien,Brian Koppelman,Tom Donnelly,Joshua Oppenheimer,Ian Mackenzie JeffersandJosh Richmondturning in drafts, with directors such asMimi LederandChuck Russellonce attached to direct.Jonathan Rhys Meyerswas also once attached to star.
Sacha Baron Cohenmost recently starred inThe Brothers GrimsbyandAlice Through the Looking Glass, the latter of which hit theaters on Memorial Day weekend.Etan Cohenmade headlines over the weekend by confirming he’s teaming up withIdiocracydirectorMike Judgeand starTerry Crewsto release a series of satiricalanti-Trumpads. His writing credits also includeTropic Thunder,Men in Black 3and last year’sScouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.
