New Line works its magic

Studio conjures 'Powerful' pic

By DAVE MCNARY

New Line is conjuring up "Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth," snapping up tyro scribe Chad Kultgen's comedy spec and setting it up with Chris Bender, JC Spink and Tyler Mitchell.

Project's set in the world of rival Las Vegas magicians in which one member of a highly successful two-man team dies in a risky stunt. The surviving team member must then find a way to rediscover his love for magic.

New Line-based Benderspink has recently started development of a quartet of projects for the mini-major -- Spanish comedy franchise "Torrente," comicbook adaptation "Power and Glory," romantic comedy spec "Save the Date" and the comedy pitch "All Boxed Up."

Mason Novick, who manages Kultgen, will be exec producing.