http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-plots-mandrake-magician-298627
(Nice to see the dreaded 'Reboot' word not being used for once!)
The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Brothers, along with Atlas Entertainment, are planning a big-screen adaptation of Lee 'The Phantom' Falk's pulp creation Mandrake The Magician. The character is an illusionist who has the power to hypnotise his foes at great speed. He is assisted by Lothar, an African strongman. Mandrake's twin brother is a magician who uses his powers for evil.
The character has only twice been filmed before in his long history, once as a 1930s serial and once as a 1970s tv movie (shades of Doctor Strange?).
According to the article, the rights to MtM were previously held by Disney, while directors Chuck Russell (also linked to fellow pulp hero Doc Savage for a time) and Mimi Leder were connected with the project, as were actors Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Hayden Christensen. A script was written for Atlas by the writers of 12 Monkeys.
WB is said to see this as having potential in the vein of their RDJ Sherlock Holmes movies.
Can't say I'm overly familiar with the character, beyond the name ringing a bell but I'm a sucker for those pulp adventurers. I'm one of the few who liked The Phantom movie with Billy Zane but it would be nice if this movie had a bigger budget behind it than it did.
Wonder if this is a success might it have any influence on Marvel's plans for a Doc Strange movie? It could affect it for good or bad - they might decide there isn't room for another character like this or it might make them decide that there is an audience for a grown-up magician.
(Nice to see the dreaded 'Reboot' word not being used for once!)
The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Brothers, along with Atlas Entertainment, are planning a big-screen adaptation of Lee 'The Phantom' Falk's pulp creation Mandrake The Magician. The character is an illusionist who has the power to hypnotise his foes at great speed. He is assisted by Lothar, an African strongman. Mandrake's twin brother is a magician who uses his powers for evil.
The character has only twice been filmed before in his long history, once as a 1930s serial and once as a 1970s tv movie (shades of Doctor Strange?).
According to the article, the rights to MtM were previously held by Disney, while directors Chuck Russell (also linked to fellow pulp hero Doc Savage for a time) and Mimi Leder were connected with the project, as were actors Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Hayden Christensen. A script was written for Atlas by the writers of 12 Monkeys.
WB is said to see this as having potential in the vein of their RDJ Sherlock Holmes movies.
Can't say I'm overly familiar with the character, beyond the name ringing a bell but I'm a sucker for those pulp adventurers. I'm one of the few who liked The Phantom movie with Billy Zane but it would be nice if this movie had a bigger budget behind it than it did.
Wonder if this is a success might it have any influence on Marvel's plans for a Doc Strange movie? It could affect it for good or bad - they might decide there isn't room for another character like this or it might make them decide that there is an audience for a grown-up magician.