DOCTOR STRANGE won't be the only magic game in town as The Tracking Board is reporting that Sacha Baron Cohen is attached to star and produce MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN, an adaptation of the classic comic strip by the same name. Created by Lee Falk in 1934, the strip followed the adventures of Mandrake, an illusionist and escape artist with the power to hypnotize his foes. Along with Lothar, an African prince and one of the strongest men in the world, he travels the globe solving mysteries and fighting gangsters, mad scientists, extraterrestrials, and characters from other dimensions.
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN is being set up over at Warner Bros. and will be directed by Etan Cohen (GET HARD). The project has been in development for some time with various directors and actors attached, but it seems like it will finally be moving forward with Sacha Baron Cohen's involvement. It's still early days yet, but The Tracking Board says that plan is "to update the character for the 21st century, with Mandrake being recruited by the United States government for a secret mission." Neither of Cohen's last two flicks, THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY and ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, received an overly warm reception; perhaps MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN will put Cohen back on top and start a whole new franchise to boot.
Speaking of magic, NOW YOU SEE ME 2 will be released this Friday so make sure to check out our own Chris Bumbray's review of the film!