It's been a while since we've heard from, or rather seen, the fantastic Guy Pearce, and quite frankly that's a shame. However, that shame is soon to be wiped away in one of the most interesting stories to hit the screen. Pearce is going to play Houdini.

Houdini is a fascinating character. He was the first person to make a successful aviation flight in Australia, famously known for his art as a stage magician and escape artist, he also acted in six movies, directed two and wrote one. His life has not really been explored on screen, and it will be interesting to see how far this project will go. From Film Focus:

The world's most famous illusionist, Harry Houdini, is to have his last moments committed to celluloid in the semi-biographical drama 'Death Defying Acts.'...

...Guy Pearce has been cast as the legendary illusionist and Rachel Weisz has signed on as his Scottish mistress. Australian director Gillian Armstrong (Charlotte Gray) will helm the picture, which is currently scheduled to shoot in the first quarter of 2006.

Now I can't really say that there's anything like a remake in here, it's going to be all original material, well as original as a biography can be! Plus there's so much material here to be had, and taken by such a good actor as Pearce this has to be a good movie. Don't you think?