- Creator's Oddball: Richard Attenborough was known for directing historical films and biopics and here made a psychological horror film. In fact, Magic is one of only two Attenborough films to not be a Period Piece, the other being A Chorus Line.
- Fake American: Anthony Hopkins as Corky, although he makes little effort to cover his natural Welsh accent.
- One for the Money; One for the Art: Richard Attenborough agreed to direct the film and A Bridge Too Far so he could get Gandhi made.
- Playing Against Type: Anthony Hopkins is known for playing incredibly charming, intelligent and confident characters and here plays an extremely awkward, shy and timid man who is about as far removed from someone like Hannibal Lecter as you can get.
- Self-Adaptation: William Goldman adapted his own novel.
- What Could Have Been:
- Norman Jewison was originally tabbed to direct, but dropped out after the actor he wanted to play Corky—Jack Nicholson—turned down the part.
- After Attenborough took the helm, he and Goldman pushed for Gene Wilder to play Corky, but producer Joseph E. Levine felt that Wilder was too associated with comedy for audiences to accept him in such a dark and serious role.
- Laurence Olivier was offered the role of Ben Greene but had to turn it down.
- Steven Spielberg expressed interest in directing the film and considered casting Robert De Niro for Corky.
- Mike Nichols briefly considered directing.
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