In development since Sneak Peek first reported on it in 2007, Warner Brothers have now acquired King Features' "Mandrake The Magician", to adapt as a 'contemporary adventure' feature, based on creator Lee Falk's 1930's newspaper comic strip character. 
The film will be in direct competition with Disney's developing "Dr. Strange" ("Master Of The Mystic Arts') feature, based on the Marvel Comics character (which in turn was based on "Mandrake").
Created in 1934, 'Mandrake' was an illusionist whose work was based on hypnotic technique. When Mandrake "...gestured hypnotically..." he could induce anyone to hallucinate.
In 1939, Columbia produced a 12-part "Mandrake the Magician" movie serial, starring actor Warren Hull as Mandrake and Al Kikume as his sidekick 'Lothar'.
NBC produced a "Mandrake" TV pilot in 1954, starring stage magician Coe Norton as Mandrake and Woody Strode ("Spartacus") as Lothar.
Actor Anthony Herrera starred in the 1979 TV movie "Mandrake" with Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Lothar.
In the animated TV series "Defenders of the Earth", Mandrake teamed up with fellow King Features characters 'Flash Gordon' and 'The Phantom'.
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