Ridley Scott Teams With Radar Pictures for ‘Magic Castle’ Movie

Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions is partnering with Radar Pictures to produce The Magic Castle, a feature being developed that centers on the famed private magic club in Hollywood.

Scott Free and Radar don’t just envision a movie, however, but are seeking to development properties across various platforms. Radar originally set up the movie project with Fox, and at one point had McG attached to direct, but the rights reverted back last year.

Radar and Scott Free will be talking to new prospective studio partners and simultaneously exploring TV and digital opportunities.  

Radar’s Mike Weber, Ted Field and Scott Free’s Scott and Michael Schaefer will produce the project. Magic Castle creator and president Milt Larsen and Magic Castle Inc. COO Dale Hindman will serve as exec producers.

The new venture will see Radar and Scott Free teaming up with Magic Castle Inc. to also help franchise the club to other cities and locations around the world. Producers say that talks to open new Magic Castle locations in China, the Middle East and Europe are already underway.

Larsen created the Magic Castle in 1963, taking over a Victorian mansion and converting it into an Los Angeles institution where members and their guests enjoy nightly shows. The old-fashioned decor and the corridors add to the ambiance.

Celebrity magic enthusiasts like Neil Patrick Harris — who was president of the nonprofit Academy of Magical Arts, which is headquartered at the Magic Castle — have performed at the venue.

Related Stories

Related Story

37 of Summer's Most Anticipated Movies