Sam Raimi Set to Direct Magic Remake With Script from Send Help Writers

Lionsgate has tapped Sam Raimi to direct a remake of the 1978 puppet horror movie, Magic, and some of the crew behind Send Help is coming with him.

Deadline reports that the Evil Dead and Spider-Man filmmaker has signed on to reanimate a twisted cult classic for modern audiences after previously being attached only as a producer. The remake will reunite Raimi with writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, the scribes behind January’s popular horror comedy, Send Help.

“Sam is the dream director for this project—in fact, his coming aboard represents one of the truly great matches of director and material,” Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in a statement. “The script is fantastic, and we could not be more excited to see Sam’s direction and creative vision take it to another level. We are absolutely thrilled he has chosen to direct the film.”

The original Magic premiered in 1978 and starred Anthony Hopkins as both a ventriloquist named Corky and his lively puppet, Fats. Directed by Richard Attenborough and written by William Goldman, 20th Century Fox sold the original tale as a “terrifying love story” about a doll that becomes eager to flip the script and gain control of its master.

Weapons and It producer Roy Lee is on board the Magic remake as a producer, too, as are Chris Hammond and Tim Sullivan. Raimi Productions’ Zainab Azizi, who also previously produced Send Help, is back, as well.

Vertigo’s Andrew Childs, Nathan Kahane, and Paul Fishkin are attached as executive producers. Lionsgate’s Meredith Wieck and Pavan Kalidindi will oversee the movie. The Magic remake’s plot, cast, and release date remain a mystery for now.

“That’s right… we are running the Send Help gang back for more,” Shannon and Swift said in a joint statement posted to their X/Twitter account. “MAGIC is happening and Sam is directing. Rejoice horror fans, this is gonna be insane.”

While we wait for updates on Magic, you can read about what we thought of Send Help in our 9/10 review.

“Who wants to go to a deserted island and watch Sam Raimi put Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien through hell? Everybody? Great! Send Help is for you,” we said upon the film’s release earlier this year.

Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).