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Now You See Me (film series)

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Now You See Me
Official film series logo
Based onCharacters
by Boaz Yakin
Edward Ricourt
StarringJesse Eisenberg
Mark Ruffalo
Woody Harrelson
Isla Fisher
Dave Franco
Lizzy Caplan
Michael Caine
Morgan Freeman
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
2013-present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$165 million
(Total of 2 films)
Box office$686.6 million
(Total of 2 films)

The Now You See Me film series consists of heist-thriller films, based on original characters created by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt. The overall plot centers on a team of illusionists named The Four Horsemen, who use their stage productions as a means of completing unfeasible and lucrative heists. The films feature an ensemble cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, Lizzy Caplan, and Morgan Freeman.

Though the series as a whole has received mixed critical reception, they have been met with a more welcome response from audiences, and have been a financial success at the box office. The first two films combined have grossed nearly $700 million worldwide.

The series will continue with a third film in pre-production.

Films

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Now You See Me (2013)

[edit]
Main article: Now You See Me (film)

On October 25, 2011, Summit Entertainment announced the release date for Now You See Me for July 18, 2013.[1] On November 3, 2011, the company revealed the film's first synopsis and teaser poster.[2] On January 16, 2012, shooting began in New Orleans, Louisiana, which lasted until March 26, 2012.[3] Additional filming took place in New York City on February 13[4] and in Las Vegas from April 9, 2012, to the following day.[5] Isla Fisher "nearly drowned" while filming the water tank scene. "My chain got stuck. I had to really swim to the bottom; I couldn't get up. Everyone thought I was acting fabulously. I was actually drowning," she said during an interview on Chelsea Lately. "No one realized I was actually struggling." A stuntman standing nearby used a quick-release switch to save her.[6]

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

[edit]
Main article: Now You See Me 2

On July 3, 2013, after the box office success of the first film, Lions Gate Entertainment CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed that there would be a sequel to the film, with production beginning in 2014 for an unspecified release date.[7] In September 2014, it was confirmed that Jon M. Chu would replace Louis Leterrier (who eventually serves as executive producer) as the sequel's director.[8] On October 2, 2014, Michael Caine confirmed in an interview that Daniel Radcliffe would be playing his son in the film and that shooting is expected to begin in December in London.[9] The film was produced by Summit Entertainment and K/O Paper Products.[10] In October 2014, it was announced that Isla Fisher would be unable to reprise her role as Henley Reeves due to her pregnancy and Lizzy Caplan was cast as new character Lula to replace her as the Fourth Horseman.[11][12] The sequel was thought to be titled Now You See Me: Now You Don't,[12] with the director pushing for that name,[13] but the studio call announced in November 2014 was that the film had changed its title to Now You See Me: The Second Act.[14][15] On January 28, 2015, Henry Lloyd-Hughes was confirmed to play the role of a tech whiz kid named Allen Scott-Frank.[16] On December 22, 2014, it was reported that Morgan Freeman was not going to reprise his role as Thaddeus Bradley,[17] but on January 19, 2015, film director Chu posted a selfie with Freeman on his Instagram, verifying that he would return.[18]

Future

[edit]

Now You See Me 3 (2025)

[edit]
Main article: Now You See Me 3

In May 2015, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer announced that developments for a third film were underway.[19] In December 2016, it was announced that Jon M. Chu would return as director, with a script co-written by Neile Widener and Gavin James. Bobby Cohen, Alex Kurtzman, and Jeb Brody will serve as producers.[20] It was later confirmed that among returning cast members, Benedict Cumberbatch would be featured in a supporting role.[21][22][23]

By April 2020, Eric Warren Singer had been hired to do a rewrite of the most recent draft of the script.[24] In September 2022, Ruben Fleischer joined the production as director, replacing Chu; while Seth Grahame-Smith was hired by the filmmaker and wrote a new draft of the script. The project will be a joint-venture production between Secret Hideout Productions and Lionsgate Films, with Lions Gate Entertainment distributing.[25][26] In November 2023, it was confirmed that the film would be titled Now You See Me 3, with principal photography scheduled to commence in spring of the following year. It was at that time announced that franchise writers Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin had contributed to the most recent draft of the script, which Lionsgate describes as a "reimagining".[27] Later that month, Eisenberg confirmed that he will reprise his role while acknowledging that production will begin early the following year.[28]

In April 2024, Lionsgate confirmed on the year's CinemaCon that pre-production for the film has commenced,[29] with most of the original cast members expected to reprise their roles, including Isla Fisher as Henley, and with Ariana Greenblatt, Dominic Sessa, and Justice Smith added to the cast.[30][31] In May 2024, it was confirmed that Rosamund Pike has joined the third installment.[32][33] In July 2024, Lionsgate announced that Now You See Me 3 will release on November 14, 2025.[34]

Potential spin-off

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Main article: Now You See Me 2 § Future

In July 2016, it was announced that a spin-off film, starring Jay Chou was in development. The actor will reprise his role from Now You See Me 2, and with the film stated to feature a cast that is primarily Chinese. The project will be a joint-venture production between the U.S. and China, with Lionsgate Films and Leomus Pictures producing the film.[35]

Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
Now You See Me May 31, 2013 (2013-05-31) Louis Leterrier Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt Bobby Cohen, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Now You See Me 2 June 10, 2016 (2016-06-10) Jon M. Chu Ed Solomon Ed Solomon & Peter Chiarelli
Now You See Me 3 November 14, 2025 (2025-11-14) Ruben Fleischer Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin & Seth Grahame-Smith Gavin James, Neil Widener & Eric Warren Singer Bobby Cohen & Alex Kurtzman

Cast

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List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  U indicates an uncredited appearance.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Character Film
Now You See Me Now You See Me 2 Now You See Me 3
2013 2016 2025
the Four Horsemen
J. Daniel "Danny" Atlas Jesse Eisenberg
Dylan Rhodes (Shrike) Mark Ruffalo Mark Ruffalo
William HendersonY 		Mark Ruffalo
Merritt McKinney Woody Harrelson
Henley Reeves Isla Fisher Mentioned Isla Fisher
Jack Wilder Dave Franco
Lula May   Lizzy Caplan
Supporting cast
Thaddeus Bradley Morgan Freeman
Arthur Tressler Michael Caine  
Agent Cowan David Warshofsky TBA
Alma Dray Mélanie Laurent  
Agent Evans Common  
Agent Fuller Michael Kelly  
Jasmine Tressler Caitriona Balfe  
Walter Mabry   Daniel Radcliffe
Lionel Shrike Elias KoteasU Richard Laing TBA
Chase McKinney Mentioned Woody Harrelson
Li   Jay Chou
Bu Bu   Tsai Chin  
Agent Natalie Austin   Sanaa Lathan  
Allen Scott-Frank   Henry Lloyd-Hughes  
TBA Ariana Greenblatt
Dominic Sessa
Justice Smith
Rosamund Pike

Additional crew and production details

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Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer(s) Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time
Now You See Me Brian Tyler Larry Fong
Mitchell Amundsen 		Robert Leighton
Vincent Tabaillon 		K/O Paper Products
Summit Entertainment
SOIXAN7E QUIN5E Films
See Me Louisiana Studios 		Lionsgate 124 mins
Now You See Me 2 Peter Deming Stan Salfas TIK Films
Leomus Pictures
Longcross Studios
K/O Paper Products
Summit Entertainment 		129 mins
Now You See Me 3 George Richmond TBA Summit Entertainment
Secret Hideout Productions 		TBA

Reception

[edit]
For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office performance

[edit]
Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Ref.
Opening weekend (North America) North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide
Now You See Me $29,350,389 $117,723,989 $234,000,000 $351,723,989 #516 #317 $75,000,000 [36]
Now You See Me 2 $22,383,146 $65,075,540 $269,825,797 $334,901,337 #1174 #347 $90,000,000 [37]
Total $182,799,529 $503,825,797 $686,625,326 $165,000,000 [38]
  • The adjusted totals based on current ticket prices (calculated by Box Office Mojo).

Critical and public response

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Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[39]
Now You See Me 50% (169 reviews)[40] 50 (35 reviews)[41] A-
Now You See Me 2 33% (195 reviews)[42] 46 (33 reviews)[43] A-

References

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  1. ^ Lussier, Germain (October 25, 2011). "'Ender's Game' Has A Release Date, So Does 'Red 2,' 'Now You See Me' And Others". Slashfilm.
  2. ^ Chitwood, Adam (November 3, 2011). "First Synopsis and Promo Poster for NOW YOU SEE ME Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson". Collider.
  3. ^ On Location Vacations (December 21, 2011). "Be on the lookout for Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Evans, Tom Hanks, Jesse Eisenberg & more celebs filming in Louisianadate=December 21, 2011".
  4. ^ "'Now You See Me' filming in NYC tomorrow". On Location Vacations. February 13, 2012.
  5. ^ "'Now You See Me', starring Jesse Eisenberg & Woody Harrelson, is filming in Las Vegas next week". On Location Vacations. April 6, 2012.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Matthew (May 30, 2013). "Isla Fisher Almost Drowned While Filming 'Now You See Me': 'No One Realized I Was Actually Struggling'". HuffPost.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Brew, Simon (August 13, 2013). "'Now You See Me' to get sequel". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  8. ^ "Lionsgate Sets Dates for Now You See Me 2 and Dirty Grandpa". ComingSoon.net. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Daniel Radcliffe to Play Michael Caine's Son in NOW YOU SEE ME 2". GeekTyrant.com. October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  10. ^ "Film Briefs: Weinsteins Will Distribute Quentin Tarantino's 'Hateful Eight' Worldwide; Lionsgate, eOne Expand Joint Agreement". Deadline Hollywood. September 3, 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  11. ^ Peter Sciretta (November 4, 2014). "Now You See Me 2 Cast And Plot Revealed". Slash Film. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  12. ^ a b Lily Aria (November 13, 2014). "'Now You See Me 2' Release Date, Updates And News: Officially Titled 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't;' Plot Revealed, Confirmed New Cast Includes Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan And Jay Chou". Franchise Herald. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  13. ^ "Now You See Me 2 trailer: Jon M. Chu answers questions". Entertainment Weekly.
  14. ^ Adam Chitwood (November 25, 2014). "NOW YOU SEE ME 2 Title Revealed". Collider. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  15. ^ H. Shaw-Williams (25 November 2014). "'Now You See Me 2′ Official Title Revealed". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  16. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (January 28, 2015). "Henry Lloyd-Hughes Conjures Role In 'Now You See Me: The Second Act'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  17. ^ Aria, Lily (22 December 2014). "Official Title For 'Now You See Me' Sequel Revealed: 'Now You See Me 2: The Second Act' Release Date Set For 2016; Cast Details And Plot Unleashead". Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  18. ^ Gill, James (20 January 2015). "First look at Daniel Radcliffe in magic heist Now You See Me 2". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  19. ^ McNary, Dave (May 22, 2015). "'Now You Seen Me 3' in the Works at Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  20. ^ Lodderhouse, Diana (November 8, 2016). "Neil Widener & Gavin James Tapped To Write 'Now You See Me 3' For Lionsgate". Deadline. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  21. ^ Lawrence, Sophie (December 2, 2016). "'Now You See Me 3' Release Date Confirmed As Production Rolls In Plus A New Cast Member To Join The Gang". Parent Herald. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  22. ^ Espiritu, Emmanuelle (March 7, 2017). "'Now You See Me 3' Release Date, Cast News: Isla Fisher Officially Out, Benedict Cumbercatch In?". The Christian Post. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  23. ^ Jabin, Bhatz (March 31, 2017). "'Now You See Me 3' Update: Benedict Cumberbatch Reportedly Joins Cast". Travelers Today. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (2020-04-28). "'Now You See Me 3' in the Works With 'American Hustle' Writer". Variety. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  25. ^ Grobar, Matt & Anthony D'Alessandro (September 29, 2022). "Ruben Fleischer To Direct Next 'Now You See Me' Pic For Lionsgate". Deadline. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  26. ^ Reynolds, Maca (2023-10-29). "Now You See Me 3 Moving Forward at Lionsgate". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  27. ^ Burlingame, Russ (November 10, 2023). "Now You See Me 3 Announced by Lionsgate". ComicBook.com. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  28. ^ Nash, Anthony (November 22, 2023). "Now You See Me 3 Production Start Date Window Given by Jesse Eisenberg". ComingSoon. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "8 Years Later, The Most Underrated Heist Thriller Is Getting a Sequel". Inverse. 11 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Ariana Greenblatt Joins 'Now You See Me 3' For Lionsgate". Deadline. 16 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa Join Ariana Greenblatt in 'Now You See Me 3' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Rosamund Pike Joins 'Now You See Me 3'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Rosamund Pike Will Do a New Kind of Magic in 'Now You See Me 3'". Collider. 2 May 2024.
  34. ^ Grobar, Matt (2024-07-02). "'Now You See Me' Threequel Dated For 2025". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  35. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (July 15, 2016). "Lionsgate to Make Chinese Spinoff of 'Now You See Me' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  36. ^ "Now You See Me". Box Office Mojo. August 12, 2017.
  37. ^ "Now You See Me 2". Box Office Mojo. August 12, 2017.
  38. ^ "Now You See Me Franchise". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  39. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022. [better source needed]
  40. ^ "Now You See Me". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  41. ^ "Now You See Me". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  42. ^ "Now You See Me 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  43. ^ "Now You See Me 2". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
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