Law and Magic Blog

"Now You See Me" Will Not Vanish After One Sequel

According to the Independent, the magical caper film Now You See Me is getting not one but two sequels, both to be directed by Jon M. Chu. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine are all returning for the films. Lizzy Caplan is replacing Isla Fisher. The original film, released in 2013, was a box office hit, but received rather lukewarm reviews (I liked it, though!)

Recap: four magicians, played by Mr. Eisenberg, Mr. Harrrelson, Mr. Franco, and Ms. Fisher, are hired to carry out a number of amazing feats, including an amazing bank robbery. An FBI agent (Mr. Ruffalo) tries to crack the case with the assistance of an agent from INTERPOL (Melanie Laurent) and a magician who reveals other magicians' tricks (Mr. Freeman). The ending reveals the true reason for the magicians' motives and the real intent behind the agent's pursuit of the conjurors.

Now You See Me 2 is due in theaters June 10, 2016.

 

A Remake of "The Illusionist"?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the CW Network is moving ahead with a remake/adaptation of "The Illusionist," the big screen version of Steven Milhauser's tale of a magician who sweeps his love off her feet with his conjuring abilities (as it were). The 2006 film starred Edward Norton and Jessica Biel and was part of a (sort of) slew of magician-themed movies during that period: remember Woody Allen's Scoop (2006) with Scarlett Johannsson and Hugh Jackman, and The Prestige (also 2006) and also with Mr. Jackman and Christian Bale.

Says THR, "The CW's version is set in turn-of-the-century New York and follows a renowned illusionist who returns home from a decade in prison to find his wife married to the ruthless crime boss who framed him." I assume the "wife" is really the ex-wife at this point. At any rate, the magician uses his deceptive skills to take revenge on the evil crime boss. Shades of Now You See Me (2013), sort of. By the way, according to IMDB, a sequel to Now You See Me is in pre-production; Jesse Eisenberg and Daniel Radcliffe (did you see that coming?) are listed as part of the cast. Ah, new tricks at the box office!

Chu On This

From The Hollywood Reporter, news that the popular superhero comic Chew is headed for the big screen as an animated feature. Steven Yeun will voice the "cibopath," the detective with psychic powers Tony Chu, and Felicia Day is voicing his significant other, Amelia Mintz. Check out more about the comic here at Chew: The Official Website.