Sam Raimi To Direct Reboot Of Cult Horror Classic, Titled 'Magic'

TV & Film

May 20

Still of Fats the Ventriloquist dummy from Magic (1978), focusing on the doll’s face. He has thick eyebrows, blue painted eyes, and a crisp, borderline smirking grin — Image Source: Villains Wiki

A director has been attached to the upcoming Lionsgate adaptation of Magic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sam Raimi will be claiming the director’s chair! The creative was already tied to the project as a producer under his Raimi Productions banner, and will be joined by Roy Lee, Tim Sullivan, and Chris Hammond. Send Help (2026) and Freddy vs. Jason (2003) writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift wrote the script for this adaptation.

Haunted doll films have remained a constant in horror works for decades, but ventriloquist dolls are seen less often these days than their porcelain, robot, and stuffed animal counterparts. Whether this version of Magic will retain its classic ventriloquist doll, Fats, or change the design remains to be seen.

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Magic is based on a 1976 book by the same name, following an alcoholic, down-on-his-luck magician named Corky and his ventriloquist dummy Fats. The magician's mental health struggles to the point of no return, and at the behest of Fats, he murders those around him until the end.

The cult classic did fairly well upon release, earning more than its budget, but not an astronomical amount. As time has gone on, more have come to appreciate Anthony Hopkins’ and Ann-Margret’s performances and the overall vibe of the film. Richard Attenborough directed the first adaptation, and the book’s author, William Goldman, wrote the screenplay. The film is available to stream on Tubi.

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