Looks like New Line wants to get back into the epic fantasy business. Variety reports that screenwriter Christopher Hampton ("Dangerous Liaisons," "Mary Reilly") has been hired by New Line to adapt Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" for a cinematic adaptation. Described as a story about "a magician and his apprentice who use their powers in the war against Napoleon but are eventually pitted against each other," this marks Ms. Clarke's first novel and (needless to say) her first movie adaptation.