In what feels like the perfect marriage of filmmaker and material, Sam Raimi has been tapped to direct a modern adaptation of ventriloquist dummy horror Magic.
According to Deadline the Evil Dead and Send Help director will bring a modern take on the William Goldman novel to life.
Goldman’s 1976 psychological horror told the story of Charles “Corky” Withers, a failing magician who finds success when he adds a foul-mouthed ventriloquist dummy called Facts to his act. The new found fame comes at a price though, with his wooden companion seemingly developing a supernatural life of his own.
The novel was previously adapted into a cult 1978 film directed by Richard Attenborough, which starred Anthony Hopkins in an unsettling performance as the creepy puppet master.
Raimi will produce Magic alongside Weapons and Resident Evil producer Roy Lee, and work from a script written by his Send Help collaborators Mark Swift and Damian Shannon.
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Originally published May 16, 2026. Updated May 18, 2026.
