Warner Bros. preps Mandrake the Magician, comic about evil fighting illusionist

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

Any of you out there familiar with MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN? You ever think the sumbitch would get his own movie?!?

Looks imminent folks, as THR has it Warner Bros. is set to adapt the Lee Falk comic strip created in 1934. The studio just picked up rights to the property, Atlas Entertainment will produce. The plan is to tailor the character to the 21st century, a la SHERLOCK HOLMES. Apparently MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN has long been courted by Hollywood, appearing in a 70s TV movie and 12-part serial in 1939. A studio film was even being eyed back in the early oughts, with a few actors and directors attached. All that fell apart, but now that Atlas has the reins, the ball is starting to reroll. A writer is currently being sought after.

Mandrake told of the adventures of an illusionist who had the power to hypnotize his foes at great speed. With his companion Lothar, an African strongman, he fought evildoers ranging from gangsters to masters of disguise to aliens. He also had a twin brother who used his power for evil instead of good.

So, dude’s not just a rabbit-out-of-the-hat magician…he actually fights baddies, aliens and monsters? And has an evil twin? Might not be so bad if done with the right people. What says you? Even for the uninitiated, how does MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN the movie sound?