Hollywood filmmaker Sam Raimi is set to return to the horror-thriller space as he takes charge of ‘Magic’, a new adaptation of author William Goldman’s novel for Lionsgate. Raimi, known for directing the early ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy and creating the cult ‘Evil Dead’ franchise, will also produce the film under his banner Raimi Productions.

According to a PTI report, the project marks another major studio collaboration for Raimi, whose work in horror and suspense storytelling has continued to influence the genre for decades. The upcoming adaptation revisits Goldman’s psychological horror novel, which was earlier adapted into a feature film in 1978.

The original film, directed by Richard Attenborough, featured Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins as a troubled ventriloquist whose life spirals into darkness as he becomes psychologically controlled by his sinister puppet while attempting to reconnect with a former love interest. The story went on to gain cult status for its unsettling atmosphere and psychological depth.

While Lionsgate has not yet announced casting details or a production timeline for the new adaptation, Raimi’s involvement has already generated strong interest among fans of horror cinema. The filmmaker has built a reputation for blending psychological tension, supernatural themes, and visually striking storytelling across projects such as ‘Drag Me to Hell’, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, and the ‘Evil Dead’ series.

The new version of Magic is expected to reintroduce the chilling story to a new generation of audiences, at a time when psychological thrillers and elevated horror films continue to dominate global streaming and theatrical markets.

With Raimi at the helm, the project is already being viewed as one of Lionsgate’s notable genre developments currently in the pipeline.