Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are in talks to star as rival magicians in a new fantasy movie.

The Prestige would be directed by Christopher Nolan, who made Batman Begins, for Touchstone Pictures, reports the Hollywod Reporter.

Bale and Jackman would play magicians in turn-of-the-century London who battle each other for trade secrets.

Their intense rivalry turns them into murderers. The title refers to the residue left after a magician's successful trick.

The script is based on Christopher Priest's 1996 novel of the same name and was adapted by Nolan's brother, Jonathan.

Shooting is scheduled to begin in January with a budget of around £20 million.

Source: Press Release