Sony has been trying for more than a decade to try and biopic about famed magician Harry Houdini. The studio initially hired director Paul Verhoeven to make the film back in the late 90s, but it never worked out, and the film has been stuck in various stages of production ever since. Apparently they're just not willing to give it up, as now they're giving it another shot.
Variety reports that Sony has entered talks with director Francis Lawrence to bring the life of Houdini, both on and off the stage, to the big screen. Produced by Jimmy Miller, who is largely known for comedies such as last year's The Other Guys and the upcoming Bad Teacher, the project is being imagined as a "large-scale period production" that will emphasize "Houdini's renowned showmanship." Originally a music video director, Lawrence moved into features with Constantine back in 2005 and directed I Am Legend in 2007. His next film, the adaptation of Water For Elephants, which is due out next month.
There's one significant problem: just last month Summit announced that they would be bringing their own Houdini biopic back to life, hiring Noah Oppenheim to rewrite The Secret Life Of Houdini: The Making Of America’s First Superhero. Did you hear that? I think I heard a starter pistol fired off in the distance.
