Sam Raimi Set to Helm a Remake of 1978 Anthony Hopkins Film MAGIC

Magic Remake Scheduled at Lionsgate

A remake of an old 1978 thriller, Magic, is in the works at Lionsgate and is set to be helmed by the visionary filmmaker, Sam Raimi.

“Send help.” They need to replace Anthony Hopkins for a remake of the incomparable Hopkins 1978 film, Magic. That scary movie about a creepy dummy and a ventriloquist was directed by the legendary Richard Attenborough (Gandhi). That 1978 bone-chilling film was based on a William Goldman novel. Now, help to create the upcoming remake is arriving. In order to make the new project over at Lionsgate, Sam Raimi (Send Help) has been designated as the director on board the exciting project. He’ll have to find a good lead to make the kind of impression that Hopkins made in the principal role of the older picture.

Raimi is a filmmaker like no other. From his great first The Evil Dead movie to the brilliant thriller, A Simple Plan, Raimi has been a driving force in the world of great cinema. He even has a classic blockbuster, Spider-Man 2, under his belt among other high-profile projects he’s worked on over the years. He certainly knocked the ball out of the park with Send Help, a thriller which starred Rachel McAdams as a woman stranded on an island with her wicked boss. As the plot progressed in that picture, McAdams’ character turned the tables on her boss with delightful results all around. That film topped the box-office charts when it opened earlier this year.

Magic featured the one and only Anthony Hopkins in one of his first of many brilliant roles. A freaky dummy that is showcased in the movie left many people frightened while Hopkins set the stage for his Oscar-winning role in The Silence of the Lambs with his layered work in Magic. This 1978 film was one of the most bizarre movies of its time and managed to secure audience interest thanks to the performance by the always superlative Hopkins.

There is no word yet on whether the remake will keep the original title or change it. Penning the script will be Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Raimi, himself, has proven himself in the world of disturbing thrillers with both Send Help and the aforementioned 1998 masterpiece, A Simple Plan. That 1998 movie starred Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Bridget Fonda and was one of the most solid suspense films of its time.

A lot of the success of the upcoming Magic remake will depend on who’s cast in the lead and how freaky the puppet looks. We’re sure, with Raimi behind the camera, that the acting will be superb and the vision will be crisp. Look for more news on this Lionsgate project as it arises.

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