Alfred Molina Puts Spell On `Apprentice`

The actor has signed on to play the evil magician Horvath in the Disney fantasy drama starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel.

The actor has signed on to play the evil magician Horvath in the Disney fantasy drama starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel.

Jon Turteltaub ("National Treasure") is directing the film, and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.

The story centers on an average college student (Baruchel) who is recruited to work for a sorcerer named Balthazar Blake (Cage). The man gives his reluctant student a crash course in the art and science of magic to prepare him for a battle against the forces of darkness in modern Manhattan.

Teresa Palmer also is in the cast, playing Baruchel's love interest.

Molina's deal puts him back into Disney and Bruckheimer's fold; he recently wrapped a turn as Sheik Amar in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," which the studio will release in May 2010.

Molina also has completed shooting "The Tempest," Julie Taymor's cross-gender take on the Shakespeare play.