Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — Ruben Fleischer and Bobby Cohen Talk Magic, Mentorship, and Movie Chemistry – INTERVIEW

The magic returns in Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.

The Now You See Me franchise is back with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, arriving in theaters on November 14. Director Ruben Fleischer, known for Venom, Uncharted, and Zombieland, joins longtime producer Bobby Cohen to deliver what they call the most “global, high-stakes magical adventure” yet.

The film reunites the original Four Horsemen—Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Isla Fisher—while introducing a new generation of illusionists played by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt. Their mission is to expose Veronika Vanderberg, a powerful diamond heiress portrayed by Rosamund Pike, whose wealth and influence mask ties to arms dealers and traffickers. With help from the legendary Thaddeus, played by Morgan Freeman, two generations of magicians must put aside their differences for one final, mind-bending heist.

Why Audiences Keep Coming Back

When asked why the series remains so beloved, Cohen explained that it comes down to the shared joy of illusion. He said people “want to be simultaneously fooled and then know immediately how you did the trick,” adding that this push and pull is part of the franchise’s secret sauce. “Sometimes we reveal the trick right away, sometimes we don’t—because the trick’s on the audience too,” he said.

Cohen believes the franchise’s ability to stay accessible has also helped it endure. “They’re not serialized,” he said. “You don’t need to know what happened in the previous movies to enjoy this one. The setup is simple: a group of people who are smart, skilled, and use magic as their craft. That allows anyone to jump in and immediately have fun.” He also noted that by keeping each story self-contained, the filmmakers aren’t tied to past plotlines, saying, “It frees us from having to service older story threads. We just get to focus on what’s fresh and exciting for this adventure.”

Managing the Ensemble

With such a large cast of returning favorites and newcomers, Fleischer admitted the biggest challenge was giving everyone something meaningful to do. “With so many characters, servicing all their storylines is tough,” he said, crediting the actors for helping shape their arcs. “Our cast knows their characters best. They kept us honest and helped make sure everyone had a moment that mattered—a relationship to explore, a story to advance.”

Cohen added that each new magician was paired with a returning Horseman to create a sense of mentorship on and off set. “We built these big brother and big sister dynamics—Jesse with Dominic, Ariana with Dave, Isla with one of the newer faces,” he said. “It mirrored what happens in real life. Ruben and I went from being the kids asking for guidance to being the mentors. That energy carried through to the film.” He described how, within a week of filming in Budapest, “life started imitating art” as the cast bonded instantly. “The chemistry you see on screen is real,” he said with a grin.

Eisenberg and Harrelson: The Perfect Pairing

The bond between Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson continues to anchor the Now You See Me series, and Fleischer said it all comes down to their wildly different personalities. “It’s a classic odd-couple dynamic,” he explained. “Woody is probably the most chill person alive, and Jesse might be the most anxious. That combination just works.”

Fleischer said their chemistry has grown stronger over time, thanks to their off-screen friendship. “They genuinely love and respect each other,” he said. “Woody adores Jesse, and now that Jesse’s become an accomplished filmmaker and writer, there’s even more admiration between them. This is my fourth time working with both of them, and Bobby’s third. When you can make something with people you love and trust, that’s all you can ask for.”

Cohen agreed, describing their dynamic as “like jazz musicians.” He said they instinctively know how to play off one another, and even when they improvise, the rhythm always clicks. “It’s not just about the punchline—it’s the reaction to the punchline,” he said. “You can just turn the camera on and let them go. They know when to move, when to pause, when to give each other space. It’s pure movie magic.”

A Touch of Gaming Magic

As the conversation wrapped up, I couldn’t resist asking Fleischer about the Uncharted film adaptation and whether he might return for a sequel. The director smiled and said, “I have no developments or updates to offer. I’m not aware of what the next steps are, but I’d be excited to return if that ever happens.”

Cohen quickly jumped in with a laugh, reminding fans that the best way to ensure more movies is to show up opening weekend. “The bigger the audience, the sooner we get to make the next one,” he said.

The Grand Illusion Continues

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t celebrates the enduring appeal of illusion, teamwork, and the thrill of surprise. With a cast that blends veteran charm and youthful energy, Fleischer and Cohen have crafted a film that reflects their own growth as collaborators and mentors.

Like the best magic tricks, the movie’s secret isn’t just in the spectacle—it’s in the connection between those performing it and those watching in wonder.

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