Despite what you may think of the final product, THE HUNGER GAMES made serious money, and is actually still out there making money. This gave director Gary Ross some clout which he then chose to leave the franchise with. However he isn’t at home swimming in a pool of cash, he is actually prepping his next intriguing sounding project.

Ross is currently in talks with Summit Entertainment (which recently merged with Lionsgate) about a possible film based on the popular book THE SECRET LIFE OF HOUDINI: THE MAKING OF AMERICAS FIRST SUPERHERO which depicts the famous magician as part Sherlock Holmes and part Indiana Jones, so the exact sorts of thing studio executives look for in a franchise.

The main plot of the book revolves around the magician and his meetings with the secret service and other such law enforcement organisations whom he works alongside. An early version of the screenplay was by Jeff Nathanson (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) and is now being re-written by Noah Oppenheim.

Magicians seem to be back in vogue right now with the comedy BURT WONDERSTONE due later this year and heist movie NOW YOU SEE ME due sometime next year. Ironically Francis Lawrence who is Ross’ replacement on CATCHING FIRE was also prepping a Houdini project at some point before he was hired for the second in the HUNGER GAMES trilogy.

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