John Malkovich will play the role of a magician in The Great Buck Howard, says Variety.

The film will be written and directed by Sean McGinly and co-starring Colin Hanks and Tom Hanks.

Kevin Kline had long been expected to play the role, but his scheduling didn't work out. Instead, Malkovich will play the famed magician on the downside of his career who takes on an eager assistant (Colin Hanks).

In a smaller role, Tom Hanks plays the father who is disappointed by his son's choice of mentor.