Yesterday afternoon, word hit the wire that “Star Wars” prequel star Hayden Christensen had signed on for a live-action film based on the “Mandrake the Magician” comic strip created by Lee Falk. After speaking with a representative of Christensen, however, MTV News has been told that he is not attached to the “Mandrake” movie.
The initial announcement had claimed that Christensen and “Gladiator” actor Djimon Hounsou would have lead roles in a movie about the “underground magician and escapologist” who is approached by the CIA for a special operation. In a conversation with MTV News, Christensen’s representative denied the report, saying that the actor will not be starring in the film.
Little else is known about the “Mandrake” movie, which is currently scheduled for release in 2010. Movie site IMDB still lists the original actor announced for the lead role, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Source