When you hear the name Jon M. Chu, the director of “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” the projects “Pop Rocks,” “Rubik’s Cube,” “Go-Bots” and “Jenga: The Movie” can’t be far behind. OK, mostly joking, but his name has already been attached to “He Man: Masters Of The Universe,” “G.I. Joe 3,” and his next movie is “Jem & The Holograms,” so it’s hard to blame one for thinking he may get attached to the developing “Asteroids” movie in the next few months.
But no, instead, the “Step Up 3D” and “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” filmmaker is switching gears. The Wrap reports that the director the frontrunner to direct “Now You See Me 2,” the sequel to the Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Bobby Cohen-produced, Louis Leterrier-directed film. This is perhaps amusing on another level given that “Now You See Me,” essentially a kind of ‘Avengers‘ of magicians movie, was hilariously bad. Like enjoyable on a trash level, but seriously, really awful (but at least entertainingly awful). Penned by Edward Ricourt and Boaz Yakin and Ed Solomon, “Now You See Me” pitted said motley crew of magician/super illusionists against the FBI as they pulled off a series of big super heists (you probably should see it at least for a good laugh).
Why a sequel? Well, despite terrible reviews, it made over $350 million worldwide, so there’s your why. Evidently Chu isn’t far from wrapping “Jem & The Holograms” and looking for his next gig, so this could be it. The poor original cast—Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Mark Ruffalo—are all likely contractually obligated to come back. No word on who’s writing this one, but presumably one of the three originals will at least be back. “Now Two See Me”? “Now You Three Me”? Regardless, please take that overly-serious, magicians are dark and mysterious approach, thanks.
