the cast expands in the Now You See Me sequel.

Both movies in the series showcase some incredibly impressive feats of magic that keep the audience both on-screen and in real life thoroughly entertained. After a nine-year stint, Now You See Me 3 finally has a release date set for 2025. With many high expectations for the sequel., Now You See Me: Now You Don't will have to include twists that are as memorable as the ones in the first film, particularly regarding Mark Rufallo's character. But importantly, the series has the perfect opportunity to refine its more authentic tricks.

Most Magic Tricks In Now You See Me Are Based On Actual Tricks

Founder Of The Misdirectors Guild, David Kwong, Collaborated On Now You See Me

From the very early stages of Now You See Me's production, David Kwong was involved in the process. Kwong is the founder of the Misdirectors Guild — a firm that provides advice to films regarding magic. Kwong was responsible for making sure the director, Louis Leterrier, interlaced magic concepts into the fabric of the main story. Kwong's illusions incorporated traditional magic tricks, such as pickpocketing and the sleight of hand with a deck of cards. These tricks became some of the strongest, and most intriguing, elements of the film, which proves the consultant's efforts certainly paid off.

In addition to this, the Now You See Me cast learned some magic for their respective roles. While Eisenberg learned card tricks, Franco mastered card-throwing, which was particularly useful for one scene with the FBI agent, Dylan Rhodes. When addressing the practice, Kwong said Franco had "the most athletic uses of sleight of hand in that fight scene," (via Wired) as that the actor is really throwing the cards. Of course, some logic should be set aside while watching these films, but this definitely did help to make the scene feel slightly more realistic.

Not All The Now You See Me Magic Tricks Are Caught On Camera

Now You See Me Predominantly Relies On CGI And VFX Effects

Jack Wilder doing a card trick in Now You See Me 2

Although Now You See Me employs real techniques, the majority of the heavy lifting within the heist saga is done with CGI. These practices were mostly required for the high-value production tricks, such as the scene in which large amounts of money disappear within a sealed steel vault, which — according to VFX supervisor, Wayne Brinton — was reportedly the most complex shot of the movie (via Wired). The final shot consisted of a great deal of compositing to ensure the scene appeared real. It was crucial for the filmmakers to create "a digital environment and make it fit with the surrounding practical set."

Related
Now You See Me 3's Best Trick Would Be Bringing This Acting Legend Out Of Retirement

Now You See Me 3 is bringing back a lot of characters from the first two, and there is one key cast member who should show up even if for a cameo.

These effects secured Now You See Me its coolest scenes, but fundamentally, it means that only a handful of the tricks in the movie are actually caught on camera. For instance, the card trick by Atlas at the beginning of the movie's runtime is real, with no editing required. Needless to say, the illusions are the center of Now You See Me's narrative. For this reason alone, it is reasonable for practicality to take precedence over style for the creators. More importantly, VFX effects allow for a considerable scope in the film's plot, constituting a richer and more engaging storyline.

The Now You See Me Movies Require A Lot Of Suspension Of Disbelief

The Plot Can Quite Easily Be Discredited If Viewers Watch With Logic

Daniel Radcliffe on a couch turning on the TV with the Four Horsemen looking on in Now You See Me 2
Lionsgate Films

The Now You See Me franchise tries to remain as grounded as possible, but some suspension of disbelief is important for enjoying these films. After all, it is still an extremely exaggerated universe. The plot can very quickly be discredited if audiences begin to track the 'how' and the 'why,' but this logic would strip away the most enjoyable qualities of the film. One of the most glaring examples would be Franco faking his death, or even the ending of Now You See Me, which are both completely nonsensical, yet seemingly work.

The main and ensemble cast of Now You See Me provide incredibly entertaining performances, which enhance the viewer's sense of immersion in the narrative.

The Now You See Me movies do an excellent job of providing an explanation of the events that transpire, granting each movie a rather smooth execution. The stellar cast does help aid suspension of disbelief, too. The main and ensemble cast of Now You See Me provide incredibly entertaining performances, which enhance the viewer's sense of immersion in the narrative.

Which Now You See Me Magic Tricks Are The Most Believable?

The Transporting Safe & The Disappearing Card Trick

Daniel Radcliffe posing with playing cards in Now You See Me 2 promo
Lionsgate Films

While many fans and critics felt that the twist in the Now You See Me ending was unbelievable, what is most impressive about that first movie is that so many of the tricks were based on real tricks. It is these tricks that make that first movie so enjoyable, since they were all real and the cast actually learned how to do sleight of hand tricks while training for the movie. Of course, the only problem is that some of the tricks were made less realistic thanks to movie editing.

One thing, though, that worked well in the first Now You See Me was the explanations of the tricks. One example is the Transporting Safe, which seemed so fantastical that it couldn't be true since it seemed to require transportation. However, the trick ends up being explained in great detail, and that made it one of the most impressive Now You See Me tricks in either movie, so incredible to watch. This also rings true in the disappearing card trick scene, which used a continuous shot to show how the card was moved from person to person.

The Best Magic Tricks In Now You See Me

The Rain Control & Disappearing Card Trick Trumped All

The ensemble cast of Now You See Me posing in front of a bank vault
Lionsgate Films
 

Arguably, one of the best magic tricks in Now You See Me was also the least realistic one. In Now You See Me 2, Atlas and the Horsemen took over London and performed a series of shows there. This is where Atlas pulled off a trick that was more elaborate than almost anything the team had done in either movie. He begins to control the rain and the current weather, making it react in strange ways. However, as a movie, this is as easy to do as it is to show a man flying. Despite that, it is one of the film's best magic tricks and is very impressive.

However, the best trick in the movies came when the team was trying to get away with a computer chip. As each member of the Horsemen was searched, they pulled off an amazing sleight-of-hand trick as they kept making the card disappear. The trick was once again seemingly impossible for all but master magicians. However, every trick they performed here was technically possible and seeing the card moving from person to person in a continuous shot was the best in the Now You See Me franchise.

Source: Wired

01279511_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

Now You See Me
Release Date
May 31, 2013
Runtime
116 minutes
Director
Louis Leterrier

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Now You See Me follows an FBI agent and an Interpol detective as they pursue a group of talented illusionists. The magicians are known for orchestrating bank heists during their performances, where they astonish audiences by distributing stolen wealth, intertwining magical spectacle with high-stakes crime.

Writers
Boaz Yakin, Ed Solomon, Edward Ricourt
Main Genre
Crime
Budget
$75 million