Chronicle writer works magic on Houdini

According to Deadline, Max Landis (“Chronicle”) is working on a new draft of Sony’s “Houdini”, one of two projects in the works about the master illusionist. The other, with Dean Parisot directing, is set up at Summit.

Landis takes over for Scott Frank, who scripted the film under original director Francis Lawrence’s supervision (Lawrence left to do “The Hunger Games : Catching Fire”). Apparently Frank is merely one of a handful of writers who have worked on the long-gestating project, over the years, though.
Maybe Landis can work some magic on a seemingly immobile project?