After two successful installments of the magical heist franchise, “Now You See Me,” which have grossed over $680 million worldwide, Lionsgate is finally moving forward with the long-in-development “Now You See Me 3.” Director Ruben Fleischer (“Venom,” “Zombieland”) will direct the third installment of the illusionist heist series (what a missed opportunity to call it “Now You Three Me,” tbh).
And now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “Now You See Me 3” has added three new casting additions: Justice Smith (“Detective Pikachu,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”), Dominic Sessa (breakout actor of “The Holdovers”), and Ariana Greenblatt (“Borderlands,” “Ahsoka”).
The illusionist heist films are rather ridiculous, and they’re not colossal pop cultural touchstones, but they’ve made enough money and profit for Lionsgate to continue forward with them.
The new pic is expected to explore further the world of the Robin Hood-like illusionists, known as the Four Horsemen, as the bickering and sneaky quartet return. While plot details are scarce, there is an assumption the third film will introduce audiences to a new generation of magicians, which is alluded to including these new cast members.
This trio of newcomers will join the familiar faces of Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Morgan Freeman, who have been integral to the franchise. Other actors who have been part of the franchise include Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Melanie Laurent, Common, and Michael Kelly.
Screenwriters and filmmakers Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin initially conceived the “Now You See Me” films. Both writers return for the third installment, along with Seth Grahame-Smith, co-credited as a writer on the threequel.
Lionsgate’s official synopsis for the second film should give folks an accurate idea of what these movies are all about, and that reads as follows:
The Four Horsemen return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than WALTER MABRY [Daniel Radcliffe], a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.
Directors Louis Leterrier (“Fast X”) and Jon M. Chu (“Wicked”) helmed the previous two movies that earned a combined $686.5 million at the global box office. Of course, the studio has yet to give “Now You See Me 3” a release date, but with casting underway ahead of production, it seems that news won’t be too far away from announcement.