‘Now You See Me 2′ to be Helmed by ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Director Jon M. Chu
With a fall star approaching, and cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson and Isla Fisher all set to return, it looks like 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' director Jon M. Chu will be taking over the reigns of 'Now You See Me 2' from Louis Leterrier.
That's the news coming from Variety, and it's a little surprising as Chu is currently in the midst of making a 'Jem and the Holograms' film. Chu has definitely been in the mix for a lot of franchise films of late as he was attached or rumored to helm 'Masters of the Universe,' 'G.I. Joe 3' and 'Star Trek 3.' As Leterrier has spent his career working on franchises (from 'The Transporter 2' to 'The Incredible Hulk' to the 'Clash of the Titans' reboot), it's odd that he wouldn't stick around, but he is working on the Sacha Baron Cohen film 'Grismby,' so it's possible the scheduling wouldn't work out, or that he's sick of sequels. Either or.
And as production company Lionsgate has revealed that this sequel is a big priority for them, and with Mark Ruffalo working on 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' and with Jesse Eisenberg playing Lex Luthor in 'Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice' (and possibly tied into Warner Brothers' future superhero movies), it's likely that a start date and finish date are already locked in for the production. Sadly, there's no word if Dave Franco will return, though we're guessing he will.