Sacha Baron Cohen is Mandrake the Magician

The Tracking Board is reporting that comedic actor Sacha Baron Cohen is slated to play Mandrake the Magician. Created in 1934 by Lee Falk, Mandrake is a specialist in hypnosis and illusion who uses his magical abilities to fight crime alongside Lothar, an African Prince and one of the strongest men in the world.

Mandrake the Magician has been adapted before, originally as a theatrical serial in 1939 with Warren Hull as Mandrake and Al Kikume as Lothar.