A brand-new film about the iconic escape artist, Harry Houdini, is officially coming toParamount,being brought to life byTransformersproducers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian. Houdini is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous and skilled magicians. He is ultimately known for being able to defy death itself through his many legendary escape acts. He first attracted attention in vaudeville in the US and then quickly became referred to as “Handcuff Houdini” during his European tour - where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up, never once doubting his own ability to set himself loose.
Houdini, born under the name Erik Weisz, was a Hungarian-American mystical stunt performer, who was known to defy all odds against his immigrant background, climbing the invisible ladder - a tale of rags-to-riches. Most notably, he escaped from nearly being buried alive and miraculously freed himself from locked up water tanks while bound by hefty chains. Although Houdini as a character has appeared in many films before, it has only been a brief, fleeting feature - nothing that remotely dives deeply into the man behind the top hat and shiny deck of cards. He has been portrayed on screen by numerous actors in the past, such as Tony Curtis, Paul Michael Glaser, Harvey Keitel,Oscar winning-actorAdrien Brody, Michael Weston, and Michael Dreyer.
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Deadline has reported that the script for a newHoudini film is being written by Neil Weidner and Gavin James. The duo have also been chosen byParamountto screenwrite the upcoming live-actionBeybladefilm. Plot details for the Houdini film are being hidden, although it is understood that the movie will be set during Houdini’s time in the early 20th century - with a brooding, ominous yet chivalrous,Sherlock Holmes toneto it.
Both Di Bonaventura and Vahradian are in post-production currently forTransformers: Rise Of The Beasts. Joining the pair to produce the latest film intheTransformersfranchiseare Michael Bay, Tom DeSanto, and Don Murphy. Di Bonaventura and Vahradian are also pairing up for the nextPet Sematarymovie as well as the upcoming Gerard Butler action flick,The Plane. Di Bonaventura is also set to produceThe Meg 2: The Trench, which happens to be filming currently, on location in the UK.
Most recently, Houdini was played by actor Guy Pearce in the 2007 romantic drama,Death Defying Acts.Yet, even this was just barely brushing the surface of the story behind the great, all- knowing magician. Since the release ofDeath Defying Acts, Houdini has yet to be re-captured and re-visited - that is until now. It’s quite surprising that Houdini (being so well-known and loved by the public for decades) has yet to be the topic of exploration for a big screen biopic. Therefore, this upcoming Harry Houdini film is long overdue.
The illusionist drew in crowds of thousands, garnering him status as a worldwide celebrity. Houdini’s story has for too long remained hidden, as mysterious as his own essence - his story has an abundance of magic just waiting to be finally shared.
