‘Now You See Me 3’ cancelation rumors loom amid lack of official updates for 3 years

The first and second installments of “Now You See Me” had a three-year gap between its released dates that led to many fans expecting the next sequel would premiere this year. However, the lack of updates on the production of “Now You See Me 3” is stirring some speculations that the film series might no longer continue.

Is ‘Now You See Me 3’ in the works?

It is important to note that there were earlier efforts to begin the production of “Now You See Me 3” as early as 2015, or even before the second was even released. Some follow-up reports on the development of the third movie along with rumors about its cast spread in the following year making it still possible for the series to make a comeback.

Variety reported in 2015 that Lionsgate Entertainment CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed they have already started their “early planning” for “Now You See Me 3.” But the intentional non-use of the word “development” could be crucial here so as not to cause expectations that the actual making of the movie has started.

However, Feltheimer also reportedly said at the time that they were expecting the second movie to surpass the first film’s box office sales of more than $350 million worldwide. That did not happen, though. The sequel only garnered over $334 million in gross ticket sales, and more than 80 percent of that came from outside the United States compared to the first movie’s 66.5 percent. It is then possible that this changed the initial plans the production company had for “Now You See Me 3.”

In 2016, however, Deadline reported that Lionsgate has enlisted “San Andreas 2” writers Neil Widener and Gavin James to pen the script for “Now You See Me 3.” This revived hopes for the release of the third movie, but it has also been the latest update about its production.

‘Now You See Me 3’ cast: Benedict Cumberbatch joins the movie?

Technically, it has been years since reliable reports about the production of “Now You See Me 3” leaving many fans in the dark about the movie franchise’s future. However, that did not stop rumors from spreading that another big star is joining the cast. Speculations that Marvel actor and “Sherlock” series star Benedict Cumberbatch will be joining the third film, but he has yet to confirm it.