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UFC's Randy Couture Joins Mandrake the Magician

by Alex Billington
January 25, 2008
Source: TheBadandUgly.com

UFC fighter Randy "The Natural" Couture (above, right) has been cast in a Mandrake the Magician movie. Mandrake is a comic strip that debuted in 1934 and is drawn by Lee Falk that's about your ordinary super powered magician who has lightning fast hypnotic powers and can project psychic illusions to those under his spell. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (above, left) is attached to play Mandrake, and Couture's specific role hasn't yet been revealed. Given my soft spot for magicians, I'm instantly excited for this, especially considering Couture said it is a "cross between James Bond and Harry Houdini".

Couture's involvement was revealed on a radio interview on the Columbus, Ohio station QFM 96.3. The feedback was sent in to TheBadandUgly.com, where the scooper said that Couture was traveling to China soon to begin filming. He said that he had quite a few scenes and that he is, of course, "pretty pumped about it." As am I, Mr. Couture, as am I!

If you're curious to learn more about Mandrake the Magician, Wikipedia gives a great overview of the comic strip character: As the narrator informed us: "Mandrake gestured hypnotically" and the subject or subjects of this hypnosis would suddenly see the illusions he wanted. Mandrake fought criminals and other villains in his spare time. This would include common gangsters, mad scientists, and aliens from outer space or other dimensions.

Mandrake is being directed by Chuck Russell, of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Mask, Eraser, and The Scorpion King. MGM currently has this slated for release sometime late this year. I get this sick feeling deep down inside that this could turn out as bad as The Covenant or Blood and Chocolate, but I'm not sure. I certainly really am hoping it isn't, but given Russell's previous films, I'm a bit worried. At least Randy Couture should be a badass addition.