Now You See Me 3 is happening, and the franchise desperately needs to bring back one of the core cast members that was previously abandoned. Seven years after Now You See Me 2 came out, progress is finally being made on the next installment of the magic-fueled heist franchise revolving around the Four Horsemen. The threequel is expected to bring back the main members of the team, allowing Jesse Eisenberg’s Daniel Atlas, Dave Franco’s Jack Wilder, Woody Harrelson’s Merritt McKinney, and Lizzy Caplan’s Lula to make an additional appearance. However, there are many other cast members Now You See Me 3 could include.
Through the first two Now You See Me movies, the franchise has built a world of major and supporting characters all connected to the magic storylines. This includes the likes of Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan Rhodes, Morgan Freeman’s Thaddeus Bradley, and Michael Caine’s Arthur Tressler, all of whom have appeared in both previous movies. There are also a handful of characters who have only been featured in one of the movies who could also return in Now You See Me 3. This includes one prominent cast member last seen in Now You See Me‘s ending who was missing from the sequel.
Now You See Me 3 Needs Isla Fisher’s Henley Reeves To Come Back
As development on Now You See Me 3 kicks into high gear, the franchise needs to make bringing back Isla Fisher’s Henley Reeves a priority. Fisher was the female lead of the first movie, giving the comedic Australian actress a major role to play. Now You See Me introduced Henley as an escape artist and stage musician making a name for herself in the world of magic after previously working with and dating Daniel. Her prominent position in the illusionist sphere led her to be recruited to be one of the Four Horsemen, making her an integral member of the group’s initial heist and successful escape.
Unfortunately, Now You See Me 2 did not see Isla Fisher return. The lack of development on a sequel in the years that immediately followed meant that there was a good chance audiences had seen the last of Henley. Lionsgate’s renewed efforts to make Now You See Me 3 means that there is once again hope that Isla Fisher can come back. There are plenty of opportunities for Henley’s return to make sense within whatever plot the trilogy capper revolves around. Any scenario that sees Fisher return for Now You See Me 3 means her excellent comedic timing can be featured in the franchise again.
Why Isla Fisher Didn’t Return For Now You See Me 2
The reason that Isla Fisher did not return for Now You See Me 2 was not due to any bad experiences with the first movie or any potential controversies. The plan was for Henley to be featured again in the sequel, but that had to change as the production schedule did not line up with Fisher’s personal life. She had to exit Now You See Me 2 because she was pregnant at the time. When filming on the sequel began in November 2014, Fisher was about four or five months pregnant. Production lasted through March 2015, which is also when she gave birth to her third child.
Once it became clear that Isla Fisher was not going to be able to come back for Now You See Me 2, the script was reworked to replace Henley. This led to the introduction of Lizzy Caplan’s Lula, with the movie briefly explaining away Henley’s absence by saying she left the Four Horsemen after growing tired of waiting for the Eye’s next instructions. While Caplan proved to be a fun addition to the Now You See Me 2 cast, it is clear that there is no ill will between the franchise and Fisher that would get in the way of her potentially returning for Now You See Me 3.
Now You See Me 2’s Ending Perfectly Sets Up Isla Fisher’s Return
It remains to be seen if Now You See Me does bring back Henley, but Isla Fisher’s return would make some sense after Now You See Me 2‘s ending. The sequel concluded with the Four Horsemen going to the secret base for the Eye. This included Dylan being appointed as the new leader of the organization, confirming other members of the group, and a tease that Danny, Jack, Merritt, and Lula were about to learn more about the Eye’s secrets. All this could help lead to Henley’s return to working with the Four Horsemen and the Eye.
The in-universe explanation for Isla Fisher’s sudden disappearance from the franchise can easily be undone in Now You See Me 3. With Dylan taking control of the Eye, he could look to bring Henley back, given her exceptional skills and a need for them in what he plans to do. It could even be revealed that Henley did not actually leave the Four Horsemen for the reasons previously revealed and that she had actually been working with the Eye behind the scenes. This would also mean allowing the Four Horsemen to grow to be the Five Horsemen potentially, making Now You See Me 3 bigger than its predecessors.
Now You See Me
In the 2013 heist movie Now You See Me, a group of magicians known as “The Four Horsemen” perform elaborate heists during their shows. Meanwhile, FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol detective Alma Drey (Mélanie Laurent) track them down to stop them from pulling off their biggest crime yet. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco star as the criminals, while Morgan Freeman plays an expert magician and Michael Caine portrays the team’s sponsor.
- Release Date
- May 31, 2013
- Director
- Louis Leterrier
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 115 minutes
Now You See Me 2
Now You See Me 2 is the followup to the 2013 mystery heist ensemble film that sees the return of the Four Horseman, a group of fugitive magicians that act as modern-day robin-hoods, giving the money to their audiences after their “performances.” In this sequel, the film follows FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes and Alma Dray, an Interpol agent tasked with proving the guilt of the Horseman – with minimal evidence at their disposal.
- Release Date
- June 10, 2016
- Director
- Jon M. Chu
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 130minutes
