Eagle lands 'Night'
Italo banner will thrill with 1st English pic
Rights were acquired from Steindorf and Rowland Perkins' U.S. media and entertainment company, Maliboo Magic, for high six figures. Perkins, one of the founding partners at CAA, will produce with Steindorf and Eagle VP Ciro Dammicco.
Gotham conjurers
A Faustian supernatural thriller, "Night Magic" centers on a hungry New York street magician and a sinister old master sorcerer eager to milk the upstart's youth. When the young magician pacts with the devil to become the old man's protege, he is pulled into a dark world that threatens to overpower him and the woman he loves.
Tryon's final novel, "Night Magic" was originally optioned by Paramount as a vehicle for Tom Cruise. Steindorf picked up the rights when that deal lapsed.
The producers hope to attach a director by December and to begin casting the three principal roles soon after while shopping for U.S. partners. Dammicco says he hopes to begin production next spring, with a budget in the $45 million-$55 million range.
"This film fits our objectives perfectly," said Dammicco. "The subject matter has universal appeal, there are three very strong roles, sufficient special effects that are integral to the story and all the elements to appeal to a director who has a strong visual sense."
Founded by Dammicco and his brother, CEO Stefano Dammicco, Eagle Pictures became a significant player with the entry earlier this year of leading Italian private equity group B&S as a partner with a 20% stake. B&S controls an Italian private equity fund of $259.3 million to be invested in the next four years, primarily in the media and communications sector.
In addition to television productions, the company is also prepping two other English-language theatrical features, both budgeted in the $50 million region, for which it hopes to attract U.S. stars and directors.
'Lazarus' rises
These are the medical drama "The Lazarus Child," based on the international bestseller by Robert Mawson; and historical-religious epic "The Cross and the Crescent," an original screenplay by Oscar winner John Briley ("Gandhi") and Roger Beaumont, which centers on St. Francis of Assisi and the Holy Wars. No talent is yet attached.
The "Night Magic" deal was negotiated by Steindorf's lawyer Linda Lichter for Maliboo Magic and directly by Ciro Dammicco for Eagle.
