Lionsgate and Summit’s Now You See Me wasn’t expected to be a smash hit, but it was one of the biggest surprises of the summer and has made over $200 million worldwide since its release in May. The film about magicians and a heist has done so well that the studio is planning on a sequel.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer told analysts and investors Friday morning that the studio is developing a sequel to the film, which starred Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Jesse Eisenberg. Variety notes that Now You See Me’s success helped the studio’s revenue climb higher than expected during its first fiscal quarter.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Feltheimer expects the film to finish its run with $275 million worldwide. It made $115.6 million domestically, plus another $119.3 million overseas so far. Now You See Me hasn’t even opened in China, Australia and Japan yet.
The best part: Louis Leterrier’s film only cost $75 million to make.
“This is a perfect example of how we're benefiting from the unique international infrastructure of output deals, joint ventures and self-distribution we've set in place to maximize value and minimize risk,” Feltheimer said, notes THR.
Production on a sequel is set to start next year. Feltheimer didn’t say if the director or cast would be back.
image: Lionsgate