Burt Wonderstone
Encyclopedia
Burt Wonderstone is an upcoming comedy film directed by Don Scardino
and written by Chad Kultgen, John Francis Daley
and Jonathan Goldstein
. The film follows Las Vegas magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell
) as he reunites his magic act to take on a dangerous, street magician (Carrey).
On October 27, 2011 it was reported that Olivia Wilde
, Michelle Monaghan
, Judy Greer
, Sarah Silverman
and Jessica Biel
were in contention for the female lead. This list was reduced to Silverman, Wilde, and Greer, with all making strong impressions on the filmmakers but with Wilde as the front-runner. The filmmakers were reported to be waiting to see if Biel would perform a script reading before making their final decision.
bought Chad Kultgen's script, titled "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth." The script was later rewritten by screenwriting team John Francis Daley
and Jonathan Goldstein
. In July 2011, the story was described as following Burt Wonderstone, a formerly successful magician who was overshadowed by a younger, edgier magician. By the time Carrey had joined the project in October 2011, the younger magician character had become simply a rival magician, with Burt now being part a formerly successful magic duo.
In February 2011, the film found a director in Charles McDougall. However, by April 2011, McDougall had left the project with no reason being cited for the departure. In June 2011, Scardino was confirmed as director. On June 16, 2011, Jason Reitman
was brought aboard the project to perform further rewrites. The extent of Reitman's involvement was not made clear although he was reportedly paid for several weeks of work.
Filming had been scheduled to begin in October 2011, in Los Angeles, California
, but was pushed back to January 2012, with casting of the remaining lead roles occurring throughout October.
Don Scardino
Don Scardino is an American television director and producer and a former actor.-Acting:Born in New York City, Scardino began his career as an actor. His first Broadway credit was as an understudy in The Playroom in 1965. Additional Broadway acting credits include Johnny No-Trump, Godspell, and...
and written by Chad Kultgen, John Francis Daley
John Francis Daley
John Francis Daley is an American television and film actor, singer, screenwriter, and director, sometimes credited as John Daley or John Francis Daly. He is best known for playing Sam Weir on the NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks and his current role as Lance Sweets on the series Bones...
and Jonathan Goldstein
Jonathan Goldstein (screenwriter)
Jonathan Michael Goldstein is an American screenwriter and television writer/producer. He has written for numerous situation comedies, including The PJ’s starring Eddie Murphy, The Geena Davis Show, Good Morning Miami, Four Kings, and The New Adventures of Old Christine...
. The film follows Las Vegas magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
) as he reunites his magic act to take on a dangerous, street magician (Carrey).
Premise
Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton (Buscemi) are a successful magic act in Las Vegas. Their partnership comes to an end when Anton is injured by Burt during their hotbox trick, and Anton moves to the Far East. When Burt is overshadowed by a popular street-magician (Carrey), he must convince Anton to return to the act to regain his standing.Cast
- Steve CarellSteve CarellSteven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
as Burt Wonderstone, a formerly successful magician. Carell joined the film in September 2010. - Jim CarreyJim CarreyJames Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
as Burt's rival, a street-magician whose act is often dangerous. Carrey entered negotiations for a role in the film in October 2011. - Steve BuscemiSteve BuscemiSteven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
as Anton, Wonderstone's former partner. Buscemi entered negotiations for a role on October 31, 2011. - James GandolfiniJames GandolfiniJames J. Gandolfini, Jr. is an Italian American actor. He is best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO TV series The Sopranos, about a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia...
as Doug Munny, billionaire owner of the Aztec Casino where Burt and Anton perform. Gandolfini was reported to be in talks for the role on October 29, 2011.
On October 27, 2011 it was reported that Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde is an American actress and fashion model. She began acting in the early 2000s, and has since appeared in a number of film and television parts, including roles in the serial-drama The O.C. and The Black Donnellys. She portrayed Dr...
, Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Lynn Monaghan is an American actress known for her roles in Mission: Impossible III, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor, The Heartbreak Kid, Eagle Eye, and Source Code.-Early life:...
, Judy Greer
Judy Greer
Judy Greer is an American actress, known for portraying a string of supporting female characters, including Kitty Sanchez on the Fox series Arrested Development and Cheryl on the animated comedy series Archer...
, Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Kate Silverman is a Jewish American comedian, writer, actress, singer and musician. Her satirical comedy addresses social taboos and controversial topics such as racism, sexism, and religion....
and Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel
Jessica Claire Biel is an American actress, model, and occasional singer. Biel is known for her television role as Mary Camden in the long-running family-drama series 7th Heaven...
were in contention for the female lead. This list was reduced to Silverman, Wilde, and Greer, with all making strong impressions on the filmmakers but with Wilde as the front-runner. The filmmakers were reported to be waiting to see if Biel would perform a script reading before making their final decision.
Development
The film started development in 2006 when New Line CinemaNew Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
bought Chad Kultgen's script, titled "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth." The script was later rewritten by screenwriting team John Francis Daley
John Francis Daley
John Francis Daley is an American television and film actor, singer, screenwriter, and director, sometimes credited as John Daley or John Francis Daly. He is best known for playing Sam Weir on the NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks and his current role as Lance Sweets on the series Bones...
and Jonathan Goldstein
Jonathan Goldstein (screenwriter)
Jonathan Michael Goldstein is an American screenwriter and television writer/producer. He has written for numerous situation comedies, including The PJ’s starring Eddie Murphy, The Geena Davis Show, Good Morning Miami, Four Kings, and The New Adventures of Old Christine...
. In July 2011, the story was described as following Burt Wonderstone, a formerly successful magician who was overshadowed by a younger, edgier magician. By the time Carrey had joined the project in October 2011, the younger magician character had become simply a rival magician, with Burt now being part a formerly successful magic duo.
In February 2011, the film found a director in Charles McDougall. However, by April 2011, McDougall had left the project with no reason being cited for the departure. In June 2011, Scardino was confirmed as director. On June 16, 2011, Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman is a Canadian/American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for directing the films Thank You for Smoking , Juno , and Up in the Air . As of February 2, 2010, he has received three Academy Award nominations, two of which are for Best Director...
was brought aboard the project to perform further rewrites. The extent of Reitman's involvement was not made clear although he was reportedly paid for several weeks of work.
Filming had been scheduled to begin in October 2011, in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, but was pushed back to January 2012, with casting of the remaining lead roles occurring throughout October.