Last year’s magician thriller, Now You See Me, didn’t exactly receive universal critical acclaim. While it was certainly an enjoyable romp with a couple of twists chucked in, it failed to revive the genre after the 2006 double-whammy of The Prestige and The Illusionist. Still, putting its critical reception aside, it raked in a sufficient haul at the box office to warrant a sequel that we’re not sure is entirely needed.
Nevertheless, it’s been a while since we’ve heard official word on any new casting for Now You See Me 2, but today’s scoop from The Wrap has now transformed the second outing into a far more enticing affair. The outlet reports that Cloverfield‘s Lizzy Caplan is currently deep in negotiations to snag the female lead. The biggest hurdle surrounding her involvement is her role on Showtime’s Masters Of Sex, for which the actress has committed to a third season.
If the powers that be can shuffle things around, she may be joining the returning cast members for another bout of trickery and tomfoolery. Back to reprise their roles are Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. Who Caplan will play is “being kept under wraps,” presumably to keep plot details hidden for the time being. We do know that she’ll be taking over female lead duties from Isla Fisher, who had to drop out of the project due to her pregnancy.
One new addition to the cast who has been confirmed via today’s report is Daniel Radcliffe. The former boy wizard was rumoured to be in the running for a part, when Michael Caine let it slip in a recent interview that the actor had signed on to play his son. Could Caplan be playing Radcliffe’s love interest? Are the pair a rival crew of magicians? Either way, we’re excited by today’s news and are hopeful that Caplan will board the flick officially.
Now You See Me 2 is scheduled to open in theatres on June 10, 2016.