The Prestige is the second major theatrical release of 2006 to involve magicians as leading characters (the first being The Illusionist). Actually, The Prestige could be considered the third film with a magician as a main character if you count Woody Allen's performance in Scoop as being part of the trend. But Allen's magical prowess so pales in comparison to the feats of magic in The Illusionist and The Prestige that it's not really fair to even mention him in the same breath.
It's a definite possibility two magical movies (and one of them won't be Scoop) will be up for major awards at the end of the year.

Edward Norton's performance in The Illusionist may earn him a nod or two, and writer/director Christopher Nolan's The Prestige - if it lives up to expectations - could be right up there in terms of award consideration.

The Story: Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman square off, not as Batman versus Wolverine, but as two rival magicians. Robert Angier (Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Bale) began competing with one another as young assistants employed by the same magician. As they began building up their own tricks, their dislike for one another escalates. With each trying to best the other, their rivalry morphs into something dangerous and deadly.

The Prestige magically appears in theaters on October 20, 2006.

More on The Prestige:

The Prestige Credits, Poster and Trailer

Christian Bale Interviews, Photos and Films

Hugh Jackman Movies, Photos, and Interviews

Scarlett Johansson Films, Interviews, and Photo Galleries