There was a real-life Mandrake the Magician, Leon Mandrake. He had been performing for ten years before the comic Mandrake made his debut, and they both had a similar appearance (black top hat and cape, pencil moustache).
However, Leon and comic writer Lee Falk had never met each other and found the whole situation a coincidence. But they did agree to promote each other's work occasionally.
However, Leon and comic writer Lee Falk had never met each other and found the whole situation a coincidence. But they did agree to promote each other's work occasionally.
In 2009, Mimi Leder was going to direct the film, and Hayden Christensen and Djimon Hounsou were to play Mandrake and Lothar.