Joe Wright (Anna Karenina, Hanna) is in early discussions to direct The Secret Life of Houdini for Summit Entertainment. We reported in May that Gary Ross was attached to direct, although he bowed out to make Peter and the Starcatchers.

The project is based on the book written by William Kalush and Larry Sloman, which claims that world-famous magician Harry Houdini also lead a double life as a British spy. Summit first acquired the rights to this adaptation back in 2009, when Jeff Nathanson was attached to direct.

Noah Oppenheim wrote the adapted screenplay. This project should not be confused with Sony's biopic Houdini, which Francis Lawrence is directing from a script by Scott Frank.

It isn't clear which of these Harry Houdini projects will get off the ground first.