Ruben Fleischer Reveals the Real Magic Behind Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

When Ruben Fleischer stepped in to direct the latest chapter of the Now You See Me series, he set out with a clear objective: to restore a sense of authenticity to the magic. The earlier films, while undeniably crowd-pleasing, had come under fire for their heavy reliance on digital effects, which left some viewers feeling the Horsemen had strayed from sleight of hand into outright sorcery.

Crafting the Uncanny: Holograms and De-Aging

In a recent conversation, Fleischer delved into the technical wizardry behind the film’s opening, where holograms play a pivotal role. The challenge, he explained, was to strike a delicate balance—these projections needed to be convincing enough to fool the characters on screen, yet just off-kilter enough for the audience to sense something wasn’t quite right.

I wanted it to be a little bit uncertain to the audience what they were watching. We were working on the presumption that the kids would have had access to footage of the Horsemen from the time of the previous movies, which was ten years ago. We performed a digital de-aging pass, removing wrinkles to make them appear ten years younger.

He went on to note that the slightly artificial quality stemmed from more than just digital touch-ups. Woody Harrelson, for instance, was digitally rejuvenated, and the projections themselves remained eerily motionless, as if anchored to the spot. Shadows were meticulously erased from the Horsemen, further heightening the sense of unease. “It just makes it feel a little weird because feet on the ground usually connect people to the place,” Fleischer remarked.

Grounding the Illusions: A Return to Practical Magic

One of the most notable shifts in this instalment is its commitment to plausible trickery. The earlier films, for all their spectacle, sometimes veered into the realm of the impossible. This time, Fleischer was determined to keep things rooted in reality.

I was a fan of the previous two movies, but at times I felt like they relied too heavily on the effects. I even watched a YouTube video titled [“were the magicians in Now You See Me wizards or what?”] while preparing for this movie. When I saw that, I realised we had to right the ship a little bit.

To that end, a team of magic consultants was brought on board. Every illusion was scrutinised: could it be performed live, or was it pure fantasy? Even the helicopter sequence, which might seem outlandish, is apparently based on a genuine stage trick. Fleischer insisted, “We did as much in-camera as possible.”

Introducing New Faces: Building Chemistry

With the arrival of Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith, the dynamic among the ensemble shifted. Integrating these newcomers alongside established favourites required a bit of trial and error. Their initial introduction, set at a carnival, failed to capture the right energy or establish their relationships.

We reshot their intro scenes. Originally, the scene where they are walking on the street and the scene in the warehouse were scenes at a carnival. It just didn’t introduce them in the most dynamic way. You didn’t have a sense of their relationship with one another.

After test screenings, it became clear that audiences weren’t connecting with the new trio as hoped. The solution? Rewrite and reshoot their opening moments, giving viewers a stronger sense of who they are and why they matter. Fleischer explained that meeting these characters before the returning cast meant their introduction had to be especially sharp.

Looking Ahead: Planting Seeds for the Future

With the franchise’s future all but assured, Fleischer hinted at long-term plans already in motion. He’s confirmed to return for the next entry, and while he kept specifics close to his chest, he did suggest that the groundwork for future stories has already been laid.

I watched the film as a fan of the franchise, and every decision I made was guided by what I wanted to see after ten years. I embraced all that I loved about it, including the banter, the magic, and the compelling villains. With the introduction of these three new characters, it really feels like we can now go in any direction. We have eight amazing magicians to pull from as an ensemble to conceive of adventures. I can’t really say much, but just know that if you loved this last movie, expect more, better, bigger, and even more awesome.

The film is now available to watch at home, offering fans a fresh take on the art of illusion and a glimpse at what’s to come.