David Blaine to fly in sky holding balloons during first stunt in nearly 10 years

Performer will attempt to fly from New Jersey to New York in stunt reminiscent of animated movie Up

David Blaine will attempt to soar in the sky by holding onto balloons during his first stunt in almost a decade.

The performer and magician announced the upcoming stunt on Wednesday.

In a set-up reminiscent of the Pixar film Up, Blaine will – if the stunt is successful – fly from New Jersey to New York City.

“This stunt has been 10 years in the making. Let’s turn worry into wonder and take magic to new heights,” Blaine tweeted in the announcement.

Weather permitting, the event, dubbed “Ascension”, will take place on 31 August and is expected to last for several hours.

David Blaine will attempt to soar in the sky holding onto balloons in a newly announced stunt. (Courtesy of David Blaine)

It will be broadcast live on YouTube.

Back in 2012, Blaine performed a 73-hour stunt called "Electrified", in which he stood on a 20-foot-high pillar in New York City while being subjected to a one-million-volt electric current via tesla coils.

In 2003, he spent 44 days inside a see-through case suspended above the Thames in London, having pledged to forego food and to only consume water for the duration of the stunt.