The CW will be taking on the TV adaptation of "The Illusionist," a feature film in 2006 starring Edward Norton, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Written and directed by Neil Burger, the movie was drawn out from Steven Millhauser's short story, and follows the tale of a magician who relies on his abilities in making a privileged woman fall in love with him.
Meanwhile, The CW will take on a slightly different version as the network will focus on the story of such renowned illusionist finding himself locked up in prison for ten years.
When he is finally released, he comes home to find his wife having already exchanged wedding vows with the cruel crime boss responsible for framing him and putting him in jail.
The illusionist then joins the crime boss's organization disguised as an inferior member, and makes use of his magic to pull off schemes that will help him gain influence quickly in the group. Consequently, he seeks to overpower and take down the boss, and reunite with his wife.
Mark Hudis, former showrunner of "True Blood", has already been signed on to write the script for CBS Television Studios, Electus, and the Yari Film Group.
Ben Silverman and Bob Yari will executive produce the TV adaptation of "The Illusionist." Yari and his team are known as the producers and distributor of the feature film in 2006, together with Brian Koppelman, David Levie London and Cathy Schulman.
Raking in $87 million at the world box office with a budget of $7 million, "The Illusionist" also won in the best cinematography category in the Academy Awards.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The CW has chosen to come up with the TV adaptation of "The Illusionist" as more magic-themed shows have gained popularity, such as "Masters of Illusion" and "Penn and Teller: Fool Us."
