Jesse Eisenberg Explains Why He's Excited and Desperate To Make NOW YOU SEE ME 3
A few weeks ago we learned that Lionsgate is moving forward with Now You See Me 3, which will see Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Morgan Freeman, reprise their roles from the first two films. I was actually curious to know if Eisenberg was looking forward to returning to this franchise after already making two movies, and it turns out that he loves this franchise, and he’s desperate to make it.
While speaking to Collider during an interview, the Oscar-nominated actor explained why he loves starring in these films and playing Daniel Atlas so much, saying:
“That’s why I love love them so much, and I'm so desperate to do a third one. It's like the only time I could kind of lower my antidepressant dosage because I feel so at ease and comfortable with myself as a performer because the character is. So, in some ways, the way I would describe method acting would almost be in the reverse that the character is making you feel a certain something about yourself.
“I discovered that I don't like actively pursuing what you would call ‘method acting,’ which is where you almost treat the circumstances as reality. I found that not a lot of actors do or some do it kind of performatively, but in a way that doesn't feel exactly real. For me, doing those movies, Now You See Me more than anything is like the furthest I go in terms of feeling like the character, because I am an actual performer as my job and the character is a performer.”
That’s certainly an interesting and unexpected reason to be excited to come back and play this character, but I like it! As ridiculous and silly as this magician heist franchise is, I actually do enjoy the films. It’s just good moving-going fun!
Venom director Ruben Fleischer is set to helm Now You See Me 3 from a script written by Assassin’s Creed’s Michael Lesslie, who is working on a new draft of the script. The previous drafts of the script were written by Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and Eric Warren Singer (Top Gun: Maverick, American Hustle). Alex Kurtzman and Bobby Cohen will serve as producers.
When the project was initially announced it was said the story would include the “thieving illusionists known as the Four Horsemen,” and that it would also introduce “audiences to a new generation of characters.”
The director previously said: “There are three things in this world I absolutely love… Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and magic. To have the chance to work with these two talented actors, as well as rest of the incredible cast of the Now You See Me movies is a dream come true. I am a lifelong fan of heist movies – I love getting drawn in by the twists and the mystery where nothing is what it seems. And that’s even more true when the thieves are magicians – the opportunities are endless. Eric was able to unlock a fresh and exciting way into a new movie and fun new characters, so I’m excited to dig in even further.”
What are your thoughts on Lionsgate building on the Now You See Me franchise?