Whose The Dummy Now? 1978 Movie “Magic” Reimagined
A movie that showcased a much younger Anthony Hopkins, now a well-known figure in the acting sphere, called “Magic,” is being remade based on the William Goldman book of the same name. Originally directed by Richard Attenborough, with Goldman lending himself to Attenborough by writing the script based on the book he had written in 1976 for the cult classic on the silver screen. “Magic” was a whirlwind psychological horror novel, detailing Corky Withers troubled misadventures as his career as a magician spontaneously explodes into fame after his ventriloquist dummy, named Fats, becomes part of the act.
Where The “Magic” Began
The original book that was built into the iconic psychological thriller horror movie, the young Charles “Corky” Withers was injured during a sports game and hospitalized for some time. During his stay, he sought something to occupy his time, asking a nurse to find him something to entertain him. After finding a deck of cards, she brought a book of card tricks, igniting an interest in magic. The young budding magician finds himself a master of the art, but young Corky is still just a shy lad with no confidence until his teacher finally dies.
Without spoiling the book too much, despite being 50 years old, “Magic” was a sensational hit. The book “Magic” arrived shortly before “Marathon Man,” another of Goldman’s novels, was released on film. Goldman’s writing alone seemed to be magic, spurring some of the most fantastic cult classic horrors still thought about to this day. Just over a decade ago, Goldman’s original screenplay, “Heat,” was written as a book in 1985, then released as a movie in 1986, with the most recent release in 2015.
The “Magic” On The Silver Screen
There are some key differences between the original book and the first movie. In the movie, we don’t see Corky’s beginnings or how he became fascinated with magic. We get thrust into his first-ever show as he embellishes his stage performance to his mentor, played by E.J. Andre. Hopkins pulls off the seemingly shy and nervous young man well as he attempts to wow the audience that isn’t even paying attention. Merlin, the master magician, can tell Corky is pulling his leg and calls him out for it, despite his life hanging on by a thread.
In what feels like seconds later, Corky is suddenly on his own as a ventriloquist with his dummy, Fats. He’s sensational with the whole place cheering instead of jeering him off the stage as his agent has an ace in the hole watching the shenanigans take off. Just as he’s about to make his big break, Corky seems to panic and has a sudden relapse into his previously shy and uncertain self, lacking any confidence in his ability to perform.
In an effort to escape, Corky ends up reminiscing over the past and seeking out his old crush from school, Peggy Snow, played by Ann-Margret. Shortly after finding her again, things begin taking a dark turn, quite possibly what turned “Magic” into a cult classic and why it’s getting remade. It goes from being a comedic laugh-a-thon and pulls a 180 into the dark. Hopkins pulls off the switch with impeccable precision, which may be part of how he became so well known.
The New Generation
News from Deadline shows that American filmmaker Sam Raimi will be putting together the new “Magic” movie, which may have some fans excited. Raimi has had a hand in a few things that may prove his chops for the remake, such as creating the Evil Dead franchise, and earlier this year’s “Send Help,” another comedy-style horror film like “Magic.” According to Deadline, he was already excited to make the new “Magic” movie, which will be a potentially different take. Lionsgate is spearheading the campaign with Raimi producing the film.
Not much has been revealed yet, other than the fact that Mark Swift and Damian Shannon are the creators of the new script. They were the ones who wrote “Freddy vs Jason,” released in 2003, and the “Friday the 13th” remake in 2009. Producing alongside Raimi are Roy Lee, a champion with a long list of horror movies under his belt, Zainab Azizi, Chris Hammond, and Tim Sullivan.
The Hollywood Reporter says Hammond and Sullivan were the driving force to get “Magic” going, hunting down the original rights to the movie all the way back in Sept. 2025. It was said that they spent a good long while trying to track down the rights holders of the original film. Sullivan may have had a bigger role to play, as he was noted to be with the remake since it was first conceived. Only time will tell what horrors await and whether we’ll be leaving the theater in tears, laughing, or praying for it to end.
