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

When Ruben Fleischer stepped in to direct the latest installment of the Now You See Me series, he set out with a clear goal: to ground the film ’s illusions in reality. The earlier movies wowed audiences with their visual effects, but some fans felt the digital wizardry overshadowed the art of real magic. Fleischer wanted to change that.

Crafting the Uncanny: The Opening Sequence

In a recent interview, Fleischer discussed the technical challenges behind the film’s opening scene, which features holographic projections of the Horsemen. The trick was to make these images convincing enough to fool the characters in the story, but just off-kilter enough for viewers 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.

Fleischer explained that the slightly artificial look came from digitally restoring actors like Woody Harrelson and removing all their shadows. The projections remained completely still, adding to the surreal effect.

It just makes it feel a little weird because feet on the ground usually connect people to the place.

Making Magic Feel Real Again

Unlike the previous films, which often relied on over-the-top effects, Fleischer was determined to keep the magic grounded and believable. He even watched a YouTube video questioning whether the magicians in the earlier movies were actually wizards, which inspired him to take a different approach this time.

I wanted to ensure that everyone knows the magic is real, practical, and in-camera. We had a magic consultant team, and I made sure that for every trick we asked if it was real and achievable. Even that helicopter trick is a real trick that people do onstage. Everything was based on real premises, and we did as much in-camera as possible.

By working closely with a team of magic consultants, Fleischer made sure every illusion could be performed live, with minimal reliance on digital effects. This commitment to authenticity gave the film a more grounded, tactile feel.

Introducing New Faces and Building Chemistry

With the addition of Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith, the film introduced a new generation of magicians. Fleischer wanted to make sure these newcomers stood out alongside the returning cast, so he made a bold decision during post-production.

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 characters as much as hoped. By reworking their introductions, Fleischer was able to highlight their personalities and relationships, making viewers more invested in their journey.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Franchise

With the latest film setting up new storylines, Fleischer hinted at big plans for the series moving forward. He’s already confirmed to return for the next installment and is excited about the possibilities that come with a larger ensemble of magicians.

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, promising fans a fresh take on the world of cinematic magic.