Sam Raimi is going from one horror movie to another, diving back into the genre to remake a beloved 1970s psychological horror movie.
What movie is Sam Raimi remaking?
According to a new report from Deadline, Lionsgate has tapped Raimi to direct a remake of the 1978 movie Magic. The movie will be written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, who previously worked with Raimi and producer Zainab Azizi, all of whom worked on Raimi’s latest movie, Send Help.
Originally released in 1978, Magic is based on the novel of the same name by author William Goldman. The film follows the story of a failed magician (played by Anthony Hopkins) and ventriloquist, who finds himself controlled by a malicious puppet as he tries to rekindle a failed romance. Alongside Hopkins, Magic also starred Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter, and David Ogden Stiers. The movie was directed by Richard Attenborough, with Goldman writing the screenplay as well.
“Sam is the dream director for this project—in fact, his coming aboard represents one of the truly great matches of director and material,” Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said. “The script is fantastic, and we could not be more excited to see Sam’s direction and creative vision take it to another level. We are absolutely thrilled he has chosen to direct the film.”
Deadline’s report notes that Raimi was already on board to produce the movie, but is now stepping behind the camera to helm the film. For Raimi, it’s yet another return to the horror genre, which he had stepped away from for some time after 2009’s Drag Me to Hell. He recently returned to the genre with 2026’s Send Help, earned over $90 million at the global box office.
(Source: Deadline)
