‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ Brings Movie Magic to New York Premiere

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Nov 11

Written By Jonathan P. Moustakas

**Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Lionsgate**

Lionsgate’s illusionists return — older, wiser, and flashier than ever — for a red carpet filled with real tricks, reunions, and spectacle.

The cast of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t turned the SVA Theatre in New York City into a magician’s dreamscape last night, as Lionsgate hosted a glittering world premiere for the long-awaited third entry in its hit heist franchise. Fans lined the streets as the stars and filmmakers arrived, greeted by illusionists performing sleight-of-hand routines that blurred the line between marketing and magic.

Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman all took to the carpet, dazzling in bold, monochromatic looks that nodded to the film’s theatrical flair. Director Ruben Fleischer (Venom, Zombieland) led the ensemble alongside producers Bobby Cohen and Alex Kurtzman, screenwriters Michael Lesslie and Rhett Reese, and executive producer Ethan Smith. Composer Brian Tyler and renowned magic consultant Randy Pitchford were also in attendance, ensuring that the series’ signature blend of rhythm and misdirection extended to the evening itself.

The event, equal parts Hollywood spectacle and carnival, doubled as a reunion for the franchise’s original cast and a celebration of the film’s new direction. After nearly a decade since the last installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don’tmarks a fresh start — one that expands its cinematic sleight of hand into global scale. Attendees described the premiere as “a throwback to when movies were pure showmanship,” with critics praising the film’s return to practical illusions and kinetic camera work over CGI excess.

Among the night’s standouts were Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher, who reunited on the carpet with warm humor and a few impromptu tricks for photographers. Woody Harrelson, ever the showman, arrived pulling a deck of cards from behind a reporter’s ear, while Rosamund Pike stunned in a tailored silver gown that shimmered like a magician’s prop mid-vanish. The theater lobby featured interactive displays of real props and illusions used during filming, including the “mirror vault” sequence that insiders say is destined to become a franchise classic.

Photos From The NY Premiere:

Rising stars Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt injected youthful energy into the proceedings, representing the new generation of the Horsemen. “It’s a franchise about belief — not in magic, but in collaboration,” Greenblatt told The Cinema Group. “That’s the real trick that keeps this story alive.”

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Notable guests included Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Eric André, Michelle Buteau, and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s David Iacono, alongside Real Housewives of New York alum Kelly Bensimon and illusionist Oz Pearlman, who performed for guests at the after-party. Singer and actress Reneé Rapp, who performs the film’s original song “Lucky,” closed the night with a surprise performance that had the crowd on its feet.

Critics and fans alike hailed the film’s premiere as a reminder of why the Now You See Me series has endured — a mix of charisma, creativity, and unpredictability in an industry increasingly driven by formula. Fleischer described the film as “a magic trick with a heartbeat,” and after the ovations last night, it’s clear audiences are still willing to believe.