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A few months ago it was reported that author Brian Selznick's young adult novel The Houdini Box was acquired by Chernin Entertainment and would be adapted into a feature film. This is the same writer who gave us The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was adapted by Martin Scorsese. Scorsese won't be directing this one though.
Variety reports that the writing and directing job has gone to a young Irish filmmaker named Kealan O'Rourke. This would be his first feature film. Prior to this he directed a bunch of short films, and I've included a showreel below showing off several clips from these films which are a mix of live-action and animation. The guy certainly has a creative and imaginative eye, and it looks like he could do a great job of bringing this book to life.
The book was published in 1991, and the story "centers on a boy who's trying unsuccessfully to perform Houdini's magic tricks when he meets his idol at a train station and begs Houdini to explain himself, eliciting a promise from Houdini to write. The boy finally receives a letter inviting him to Houdini's house -- only to discover that Houdini died that day and left him a mysterious, locked box."
Here's the official book describtion:
Victor is forever trying to escape from locked trunks, to walk through walls, and to perform any number of Houdini's astonishing magic tricks...without success. Then -- amazingly -- he meets his idol and begs Houdini to explain himself. A mysterious, locked box is the only answer, and Victor is left to wonder: Does the box contain the secrets of the most famous magic tricks ever performed?
Check out the showreel and let us know if you think he''ll do a good job with The Houdini Box!
