MEDIA

Nash unmasks 'Magician'
Virgin Comics to produce graphic novel
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER
Nash Entertainment is resurrecting the Masked Magician -- but this
time as the lead character in a graphic novel to be produced by Virgin
Comics.
The Masked Magician was the star of Nash's five "Breaking the
Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed" specs,
which scored big ratings for Fox in the late 1990s.

The specials raised the ire of magicians, who were upset that some of
the field's mysteries were being dissected on primetime TV. In the
fourth spec, the magician removed his mask; turns out it was Val
Valentino, a figure well-known on the illusion circuit.

Now, Nash Entertainment CEO Bruce Nash hopes to turn the Masked
Magician into a fictionalized franchise, starting with the novel. Nash
hopes ultimately to use the novel as the basis for a feature film.

"I didn't think just having the specials was enough to show the
studios that this could be turned into a real dramatic narrative,"
Nash said. "So we went to Virgin with the idea of turning it into a
graphic novel, and they loved it. Once it's produced and distributed,
we'll take it to the studios and networks with the idea of turning it
into a movie or TV show. The graphic novel will be sort of like the
first script."

The novel will revolve around the fictional magician, on the lam from
the law. The character dons a mask to protect himself and begins using
magic to solve crimes -- and attempt to redeem himself from whatever
past he's trying to escape. Taking a cue from the real-life specials,
the book and movie will show how the masked magician actually conjures
up his illusions.

"It's a cross between 'Darkman' and the movie 'FX,' " Nash said.

Robert Kosberg, head of Nash's feature film division, is also working
on the project, along with Virgin Comics chief creative officer Gotham
Chopra and Virgin Comics chief marketing officer Larry Lieberman.

Valentino will also be involved, serving as a consultant on the book
and script. Nash said a writer has not yet been hired for the graphic
novel.

"Breaking the Magician's Code" first bowed in 1997 to a stunning
audience of 24.2 million viewers. Nash said he has no plans to produce
a new edition of the special, opting to focus on the fictionalized
version instead.

Meanwhile, Fox Reality Channel has picked up the five "Magician"
specials, which will air this spring. Alfred Haber Distribution
brokered the deal.

"These episodes are truly compelling television and were extremely
strong performers on Fox," Fox Reality programming VP Bob Boden said.

Nash has been expanding his company into film as of late, developing
projects including "Time of Their Lives" (with producer Scott Stuber)
for Universal and "The Fritz Pollard Story" (along with Don Cheadle)
for Walden Media.

Another feature based on a Nash reality special, "When Good Pets Go
Bad," is in development at MGM. Nash is also developing "Win My Soul"
with Tobey Maguire for MGM.

On the TV side, Nash is behind the Sci Fi skein "Who Wants to Be a
Superhero?" as well as Court TV's "Most Shocking" and "The Greatest
Sports Stories Never Told" for FSN.

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