From MindFreak to Mandrake

Criss Angel to play title role in comic book movie.
by Stax

June 4, 2007 - Magician Criss Angel, star of the A&E series Criss Angel MindFreak, has been cast as the comic strip hero Mandrake in the upcoming movie version of Lee Falk's magician character. Chuck Russell will direct Mandrake for Baldwin Entertainment Group.

"I've just signed on to do a movie which I'll be shooting at the end of this year called Mandrake, which is based on the comic book strip," Angel revealed during an interview with CinemaBlend.com. "It's gonna kind of be like a kind of cool realm of The Crow but different of Mandrake the magician coming to life. I'm designing and creating the visual effects for that, as well as going to be acting in it. So that's a very exciting prospect that I'm looking forward to do."

Angel believes that "normally magic hasn't translated very well with storytelling. I mean live it's been disastrous if you look at certain shows that try to incorporate it throughout the course of the last 20 years. But I think people are starting to get how to do it. I know that the Mandrake project really gets it."

He added, "Being involved from the beginning in the creation of the script, and of the characters and effects, really gives me an opportunity to work with the director to make sure that it's really seamless with how they coexist and work hand in hand, and how one supports the other and it's not contrived and it's not cheesy. So, I'm really excited about Mandrake and I'm hoping that they'll get it right better than anyone's gotten it yet."

By thatgirlnicole
Community Blogger

Published June 3, 2007 at 10:58 p.m.
Category: Entertainment

I find some of the greatest shows on tv when I am channel surfing. Awhile ago I made a great discovery on A&E, a little program called Mindfreak. To those of you who dont already know about the show dont let the name alarm you. In short Mindfreak is a show by Criss Angel who does a variety of tricks, illusions, magic and experiments that will as promised freak your mind. As in, how did he do that? Served in half hour segments it took me about 5 minutes to be hooked on this guy. He's part rock star, part accessable cool guy, part flirt, part badass and I dont know what else but there is alot of charisma involved. Sure he has the bling with long necklaces with handcuffs and diamonds but also rock star like vibe with jeans and tees. He seems like the type where guys want to be him and girls want to be around him.

Now a little background. I dont remember when it started but I have been alittle awe struck by magicians/illusionists for quite some time. I remember watching the PenDragons, David Copperfield, Lance Burton and then things sort of faded. There was talk about Siefred and Roy but they also faded from the spotlight especially when the animals made a statement and reminded everyone that wild animals are wild for a reason. Over time, as least to me, there was time for the magic world to sort of rebuild and then come back in a different way. By new I think more modern, more in your face, more accessible. Earlier acts had huge acts on stage with alot of razzle dazzle and the classic magic acts...sawing people in half, working with animals, making things disapper on stage. The new school genre then emerged mixing old school methods and making everything more updated, closer to the audience and sometimes more shocking. The people that really stick out in my mind that started all this was Penn and Teller. Then this guy named David Blaine came on the scene and I was convinced that he was the man. I taped his specials...one top of the pillar thing, in the bubble, in that cage thing,those hour long specials when he spoke with Leo DiCaprio and amazed people on the streets, I got it all and I was hooked. There was something about him. Somewhere along the way David left the limelight, but Im hoping for a comeback. Then...Criss Angel came to town. David I miss you but without your specials I think Criss is in prime position to be the new man.

Long story short the third season of Mindfreak is premiering on Tuesday June 5 on A&E at 9PM. I think everyone out there should just check him out for just one show and see if you too will be freaked.

Loyal Shelby had this great news to pass along:

I just got back from Vegas last wekend....filming starts for Season 4 August 15th until mid March of next year. The production office is closed for the summer but will reopen in August :)!!!!