In 2013 and 2016, respectively, Louis Leterrier's Now You See Me and Jon M. Chu's Now You See Me 2 both turned out to be surprise massive hits. Bursting with star power, and made for relatively little money compared to most blockbusters, the two movies managed to gross more than $300 million worldwide. Because of this success, some have wondered why it's taken so long for a third movie to start getting on its feet... but now fans don't have to wait any longer.
Lionsgate has announced that they are officially making moves towards making Now You See Me 3 a reality, and have started down that particular road by hiring a writer. Specifically, the studio has contracted Eric Warren Singer to come aboard and pen the script. It's fitting when you consider that the filmmaker was just involved with another years-later sequel: Top Gun: Maverick.
At this point in his career, Eric Warren Singer is probably best known for his Academy Award-nominated screenplay for David O. Russell's American Hustle, and it looks like Now You See Me 3 is going to provide him with some interesting creative opportunities. The press release announcing his hiring says that his take "will capture the fun, magic, and spirit of the original, introducing new characters into the world while also creating opportunities for the original cast to reprise their roles. With no actors currently attached to the project, the wording makes one wonder if the sequel may be going in more of a spin-off-style direction, focusing on protagonists who aren't played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, and Mark Ruffalo.
The original film centered on a group of magicians known as the Four Horsemen who were being tracked by the FBI because of a series of heists and robberies they've been pulling off. As it turns out, they've really been part of a complicated revenge mission, and looking to join an elite group known as The Eye. The second film concluded with the Four Horsemen actually getting to meet the other members, but it's not clear how or if this next film will pick up from there.
It has definitely been a minute since we last heard any updates about Now You See Me 3 – which is particularly surprising when you consider that the project was given the greenlight by Lionsgate even before Now You See Me 2 hit theaters. In April 2016 it was announced that the studio had made a deal with Jon M. Chu to see the director return to take the helm of the second sequel, and then in November of that same year writing duo Neil Widener and Gavin James were brought on board. It's been nearly four years since then without an update, but now it seems that the production is ready to start fresh. The press release does not mention Chu's name, which suggests that he's no longer attached.
Now You See Me 3 is still in the early stages, so it might be a minute before we actually see it get made – plus it doesn't have a set release date. We'll definitely be keeping an eye on the developing project, however, so be on the lookout for updates.
