By Brian Marder, Hollywood.com Staff

While Hunger Games fans are still reeling from director Gary Ross's decision to not return for the sequel, Catching Fire, the filmmaker is reportedly close to signing up for his next project: Houdini.

Ross is reportedly in negotiations to direct the Harry Houdini film, which is based on the 2006 book The Secret Life of Houdini, The Making of America's First Superhero.

The quasi-biography, written by William Kalush and Larry Sloman, hinted that there was much more to Houdini than magic and escape stunts — such as serving as a spy for Britain and teaming up with the Secret Service on highly classified missions.

Several films have been made about Houdini, who died in 1926, the most recent being the 2008 romantic thriller Death Defying Acts, starring Guy Pearce as the legendary illusionist.

[Image: WENN]

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'Hunger Games' Director Gary Ross Not Returning for Sequel

[THR]