Sam Raimi Directing Modern Adaptation of Creepy Ventriloquist Tale, ‘Magic’!

May 16, 2026 Dread Central

BREAKING: Sam Raimi, master of horror and creator of the Evil Dead franchise, has signed on to direct a new adaptation of William Goldman’s novel, Magic for Lionsgate, reports Deadline!

The 1978 original was directed by Richard Attenborough and starred Anthony Hopkins as a ventriloquist who finds himself under the spell of his malicious puppet.

If you’ve never seen it, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s one of Hopkins’ creepiest performances, predating his work in Silence of the Lambs.

Mark Swift and Damian Shannon are writing the...