Johnny Depp In Talks For Harry Houdini Movie

Johnny Depp is reportedly in talks to portray one of the world’s greatest magicians.

The Pirates of the Carribean star, who is rebounding from a handful of lackluster flicks at the box office, is close to signing on for a motion picture based on the life of Harry Houdini. Galaxy Quest director Dean Parisot is currently attached to direct the movie, while writer Noah Oppenheim will tackle the script.

According to Variety, the Lionsgate project is operating under the name The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero. Since it’s doubtful that your average moviegoer would remember such a long-winded title, chances are the studio will shorten it before the flick hits the big screen. Unfortunately, it’s presently unknown when the project will arrive in theaters.

Before you get your hopes up about Johnny Depp’s involvement with the biopic, it’s worth noting that the actor hasn’t sign on the proverbial dotted line just yet. There’s always a chance Depp could back out of the movie at the last moment, so don’t start planning your life around the movie’s release just yet.

Should Johnny Depp decide to accept the role as the legendary magician in Parisot’s endeavor, he’ll portray Houdini from his humble beginnings to his tragic death on Halloween in 1926.

While they’re waiting for this film to come together, Depp fans certainly have quite a bit to keep them happy. Johnny’s other Lionsgate endeavor, David Koepp’s action-comedy Mortdecai, should hit your neighborhood multiplex on February 6, 2015. The film follows the adventures of an art dealer (Depp) who embarks on a quest to unearth Nazi gold. Jeff Goldblum, Gwyneth Paltrow, Oliver Platt, Olivia Munn, and Aubrey Plaza co-star.

The Hollywood Reporter points out that Depp also has a few sequels on his cinematic plate at the moment. Not only is the beloved actor returning to the high seas for another installment of the popular Pirates of the Caribbean series, Johnny will reprise his role as the Mad Hatter in Through the Looking Glass. The Alice in Wonderland follow-up will start shooting later this year, while Pirates should begin production at some point during 2015.

Should Johnny Depp accept the role as Harry Houdini, Lionsgate could get the ball rolling on the project as early as this November. If Depp ultimately turns down the part, who do you think should play the legendary magician in director Dean Parisot’s upcoming biopic?

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