Exciting Developments for Now You See Me 4
The highly anticipated Now You See Me 4 has officially been greenlit, continuing the franchise that originally captivated audiences in 2013. This series features a clever team of illusionists known as the Four Horsemen, who execute thrilling heists reminiscent of Robin Hood. The inaugural film was directed by Louis Leterrier, while its sequel had Jon M. Chu at the helm. The forthcoming installment, titled Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, sees Ruben Fleischer taking charge, with an ensemble cast that includes returning favorites like Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, and Morgan Freeman.
Director and Producer Insights
At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s Adam Fogelson unveiled that Ruben Fleischer will lead the development and direction of Now You See Me 4. Accompanying him will be Bobby Cohen, the original producer, alongside Alex Kurtzman from Secret Hideout and Meredith Wieck from Lionsgate. Fogelson expressed his excitement: “We can’t wait for audiences to discover what he’s done with the third film,” showcasing high confidence in Fleischer’s approach to the franchise.
Adam Fogelson: Ruben has delivered all of the twists and turns and sleight-of-hand that audiences expect from this franchise while upping the stakes and scale in every way. We can’t wait for audiences to discover what he’s done with the third film and thrilled he’ll be making even more magic with us.
Ruben Fleischer: Directing Now You See Me: Now You Don’t was as much fun as making any movie in my career. It combines two of my favorite things—heist movies and magic—and working with this incredible cast was truly magical. Of course, I want to keep it going.
The Implications for the Franchise
Confidence in the Future
Much like a well-executed magic trick, the announcement of a fourth film is a pleasant surprise. This revelation comes a remarkable seven months prior to the release of the third film, set to hit theaters on November 14. Such early news signals strong confidence from producers that the upcoming movie will resonate with viewers, notably given the gap since the last installment nearly ten years ago.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is scheduled for release just before another eagerly awaited sequel, Wicked: For Good. While details regarding the cast of the fourth film are still scarce, interest remains high about which beloved characters might return. The current setup includes a robust new cast alongside familiar faces, including Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith, Rosamund Pike, and Dominic Sessa. However, it seems likely that Woody Harrelson will return as Merritt McKinney, having collaborated extensively with Fleischer in previous projects.
Our Perspective on Now You See Me 4
Potential Outcomes for the Franchise
The decision to announce Now You See Me 4 before the public has even glimpsed the third installment could be viewed as a gamble. The franchise began with great success, earning $351.7 million on a $75 million budget, yet the second film only garnered $334.9 million against a much higher budget of approximately $120 million. If Now You Don’t bears similar financial demands, it will need to perform exceptionally well to ensure the viability of a fourth film and avert the risk of the series going on hiatus once more.
Source: Lionsgate