Lionsgate is moving forward with Now You See Me 3.
According to Screen Daily, Lionsgate International is moving forward with Now You See Me 3 as the studio will launch sales on the movie at the American Film Market (AFM), which is held from October 31 through November 5, 2023.
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Morgan Freeman will all reprise their roles from the first two films, while Venom’s Ruben Fleischer has been tapped to direct. Assassin’s Creed’s Michael Lesslie is working on the current draft of the script, while Alex Kurtzman and Bobby Cohen serve as producers.
A closer look at the Now You See Me franchise
Directed by Louis Leterrier, Now You See Me was released in United States theaters in May 2013. The film follows a group of magicians — played by Eisenberg, Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco — who pull off bank heists during their performances and then give the stolen money to their audiences. The film also stars Mark Ruffalo, who plays an FBI agent trying to bring the magicians to justice, while Freeman portrays a magic debunker.
Now You See Me made $351.7 million at the worldwide box office with a budget of $75 million. It received mixed reviews from critics.
A sequel, Now You See Me 2, followed in June 2016. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie brought back Ruffalo, Harrelson, Franco, Freeman, and Eisnenberg, while Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Radcliffe joined the cast. It also received mixed reviews from critics but made $334 million at the worldwide box office off an estimated $90-120 million budget.
While talks about a third Now You See Me film began to emerge shortly after Now You See Me 2 was released (Benedict Cumberbatch was rumored to be in talks to star in the next movie, at one point), it wasn’t until September 2022 that Fleischer officially signed on to direct.
“There are three things in this world I absolutely love… Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and magic,” Fleischer said when his involvement was announced, via Deadline. “To have the chance to work with these two talented actors, as well as rest of the incredible cast of the Now You See Me movies is a dream come true. I am a lifelong fan of heist movies – I love getting drawn in by the twists and the mystery where nothing is what it seems. And that’s even more true when the thieves are magicians – the opportunities are endless. Eric was able to unlock a fresh and exciting way into a new movie and fun new characters, so I’m excited to dig in even further.”
