Harry Houdini biopic in development from Transformers producers

A biopic of the iconic escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini is in development from Transformers producers Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian.

The film has a script written by Neil Widener and Gavin James. Details of the plot are currently kept under wraps.

Houdini, born Erik Weisz, was a Hungarian-American stunt performer and magician, well-known for his escape acts and his rags-to-riches immigrant story. After finding tremendous success in the US, he went on a tour of Europe in which he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. He extended his repertoire and included chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers and straitjackets underwater. His exploits made him a worldwide celebrity and his stunts drew thousands. After moving to LA in 1919, Houdini lived on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, where he practised his water escapes.

There have been multiple on-screen portrayals of Houdini, portrayed by the likes of Tony Curtis, Paul Michael Glaser, Harvey Keitel, Adrien Brody, Michael Weston, Michael Dreyer, and most recently, by Guy Pearce.

Meanwhile, Di Bonaventura and Vahradian are currently in post-production of Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts, the next Pet Sematary movie, and Gerard Butler-starrer The Plane. Di Bonaventura is also producing The Meg 2: The Trench, which is currently in production.