AceShowbiz - Sam Raimi has officially chosen his next directing project following his recent thriller Send Help. Raimi will direct Magic, a modern adaptation of the 1976 William Goldman novel that was originally turned into a cult horror classic in 1978. Lionsgate is backing this updated version, which will bring a fresh take on the unsettling story of a ventriloquist and his sinister dummy.

Raimi had already committed to producing the new Magic film through his own production company last year. The update is also being produced by Roy Lee, along with Chris Hammond and Tim Sullivan, who have been key advocates for the project and instrumental in securing the original rights. The screenplay is penned by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, the duo who wrote Send Help for Raimi and are known for their work on Freddy vs. Jason and the Friday the 13th remake.

The original Magic novel by William Goldman, who also scripted the 1978 film, centers on Corky, a magician portrayed in the first movie by Anthony Hopkins. Corky gains fame through his ventriloquist dummy, Fats, an obnoxious and sharp-tongued figure. The story explores Corky’s fragile mental state as he faces a network deal for his own show but fears exposure. To escape, he retreats to the Catskills, hoping to reconnect with a high school sweetheart, while Fats gradually seizes control in a deadly, violent manner.

The 1978 film was directed by Richard Attenborough and featured performances by Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith alongside Hopkins. The original movie generated significant buzz ahead of its release through a memorable television ad that focused solely on the dummy’s face, delivering the chilling tagline: “Magic is fun, we’re dead.”

Alongside Raimi, Raimi Productions’ Zainab Azizi will serve as a producer. Nathan Kahane and Paul Fishkin are executive producers, with Andrew Childs joining them for Vertigo. Meredith Wieck and Pavan Kalidindi are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.

Send Help, which starred Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, premiered earlier this year on January 30. The film marked a notable return to horror for Raimi, earning some of the best reviews of his career in over 15 years and performing well at the box office with a $10 million repeat win.

Regarding the new Magic film, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s motion picture group, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "His coming aboard represents one of the truly great matches of director and material." This signals strong confidence in Raimi’s ability to bring fresh life to a beloved but eerie story.

The forthcoming version of Magic aims to reimagine the psychological horror and tension that made the original film a cult favorite, introducing it to new audiences under Raimi’s distinct directorial vision. Fans of the original and newcomers alike will be watching closely as production progresses under Lionsgate’s banner.