21 Jump Street directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are in talks to direct Carter Beats the Devil for Warner Bros. We first reported on this project back in June 2010, when the studio picked up the Glen David Gold novel.

The story is based on a real-life magician named Carter the Great, a popular illusionist in the 1920s. The plot revolves around Carter performing a trick for President Warren G. Harding, but when the Commander-in-Chief is found dead, the magician must go on the run to clear his name. The story also features real-life figures such as TV inventor Philo T. Farnsworth, Harry Houdini, and The Marx Brothers. The novel was originally set up at Paramount back in 2002, when Tom Cruise was attached to play the title character.

Michael Gilio adapted the novel, with Jonathan Shestack producing. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are coming off their successful live-action directorial debut 21 Jump Street, which has earned $188 million worldwide.