Director Ruben Fleischer is set to reunite Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg for an electrifying new heist film, bringing their signature chemistry back to the screen. The Woody Harrelson movie reunion takes center stage in
“Now You See Me, Now You Don’t,”
arriving in theaters on November 14 from Lionsgate, with audiences eager to see how the renowned duo and a fresh roster of illusionists will bring movie magic to life once more.
A Focus on Real Magic and New Faces
Fleischer, celebrated for his work blending spectacle and entertainment, emphasizes that fun remains at the heart of his filmmaking. His excitement for this project, as he explains, was due to several factors:
“It was a combination of factors,”
Fleischer said.
“Definitely a desire to work with Jesse and Woody again. This was my fourth movie with each of them. They’re great collaborators, super funny, brilliant actors. I just absolutely love working with them.”
The allure of collaborating with Eisenberg and Harrelson, along with his own admiration for the original franchise and his love of magic, made his return an easy decision. As he described it,
“It seemed like it would be a lot of fun, and it played to my strengths of making a super fun movie for audiences.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
This new entry in the “Now You See Me” franchise puts significant emphasis on practical illusions to give viewers an authentic experience. Unlike the earlier films, which heavily relied on digital effects, Fleischer wanted audiences to witness tangible magic on screen.
“As a fan of the originals, there were times when it crossed the line from magic to something closer to sorcery,”
he explained.
“That felt like a breach of the contract with the audience. I wanted to be as true to how it’d be done practically as possible. Not cutting in the middle of tricks, letting the audience feel like they’re seeing something real.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
To ensure these illusions were believable, the production partnered with experts from the Magic Castle to train the actors extensively. Fleischer noted,
“For the most part, everybody was doing their tricks themselves.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Dominic Sessa, one of the fresh additions to the cast, fully immersed himself in the art of magic. Fleischer shared,
“He was a massive fan of the franchise growing up. He got so into the training that he wants to audition for membership at the Magic Castle as an actual magician, not just a celebrity. He really embraced it, and it shows on screen.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Blending Old Legends and New Talent in the Story
The upcoming film is described as a “requel,” blending reboot and sequel elements seamlessly. According to Fleischer,
“The kids are kind of the reason for being. They’re the audience’s way in. They even ask the old Horsemen, ‘Where have you guys been?’ which mirrors what the audience is wondering. Their characters grew up as fans of the Horsemen, and now they want to join them. It’s life imitating art.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Eisenberg’s Directorial Experience Brings Fresh Dynamics
Jesse Eisenberg, now experienced as both actor and director following his work on “A Real Pain,” brought a new perspective to this Woody Harrelson movie reunion.
“It was especially fun this time because now he’s a fellow director,”
Fleischer stated.
“He makes small, personal movies. I make bigger, more commercial ones. But I think he appreciated being on set and seeing filmmaking with a different eye.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Director’s Insights: Zombieland, Venom, and the Studio Experience
Fleischer is not just revisiting the world of magic; fans of his earlier successes like “Zombieland” may also have reasons to celebrate. He remarked,
“We said after the last one in 2019 that we should do one every ten years,”
Fleischer joked.
“The original was 2009, the sequel 2019, and Emma Stone already said she’s in for 2029. Fingers crossed.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Discussing his time directing “Venom,” Fleischer credits much of the film’s success to its balance of humor and spectacle, as well as Tom Hardy’s memorable performance.
“I think something that people love about Venom is that he’s funny. It’s a ridiculous premise, an alien living inside you,”
Fleischer said.
“I leaned into that. ‘All of Me’ and ‘An American Werewolf in London’ were big inspirations. People love that it’s funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Tom Hardy and Venom’s personalities make it work.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Reflecting on collaboration in big-budget filmmaking, Fleischer shared,
“I’m proud of how the movie turned out,”
he said.
“I think anyone who claims from any of the studios that they’re making $200 million movies with their singular voices, I think, is probably not totally accurate. Making a $200 million movie is always a collaboration. We figured out what Venom should be without Spider-Man, and Tom created a really original version of that character.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
Exploring New Genres: Western Vampire Ambitions
Looking ahead, Fleischer is considering a bold direction for his next film, drawing on unique genre combinations. He teased,
“The Sun Always Sets in the West.”
He described it as
“It’s kind of like ‘Unforgiven’ if the lead character were a vampire. One of the best scripts I’ve read in a while and a really distinctive combination of genres. I think it would be so much fun to make.”
—Ruben Fleischer, Director
What This Reunion Means for Fans and Hollywood
The highly anticipated Woody Harrelson movie reunion with Jesse Eisenberg in
“Now You See Me, Now You Don’t”
reflects not just a return to a beloved franchise but also a celebration of practical cinema magic and deep creative collaboration. With Ruben Fleischer at the helm, collaborating once again with gifted performers and passionate new cast members like Dominic Sessa, the film is positioned to excite audiences and breathe new life into the heist genre. The production’s dedication to authenticity, as well as its embrace of new filmmaking perspectives and genres, signals potential breakthroughs, while sustaining audience excitement for future projects involving familiar faces like Emma Stone, Tom Hardy, and visionary directors in the mold of Fleischer. As November approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a standout moment in entertainment.
