Kealan O'Rourke Steers "Houdini Box"

Irish filmmaker Kealan O'Rourke ("The Boy in the Bubble") has been set to write and direct a film adaptation of author Brian Selznick's 1991 novel "The Houdini Box" says Variety.

The story centers on a boy unsuccessfully attempting to perform Harry Houdini's magic tricks. He soon meets his idol at a train station and begs Houdini to explain himself. He later receives a letter inviting him to Houdini's house - the same day Houdini died and be quested a mysterious, locked box to the boy.

Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping will produce the film.

Selznick's "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" which was adapted by Martin Scorsese became the award winning film Hugo.