Few movie sequels spark as much curiosity as Now You See Me 2, especially about one missing magician. When the Four Horsemen returned in 2016, Henley Reeves was gone, replaced by a new illusionist named Lula.

4 related posts

Release date: June 10, 2016 ·
Box office: $334.9 million ·
Runtime: 129 minutes ·
IMDb rating: 6.5/10 ·
Director: Jon M. Chu

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • October 2014: Isla Fisher’s departure announced due to pregnancy (Now You See Me fan wiki)
  • June 10, 2016: Sequel released (Now You See Me fan wiki)
  • 2022: Third film announced with Ruben Fleischer directing (ScreenRant entertainment news)
4What’s next
  • Now You See Me: Now You Don’t scheduled for November 14, 2025 (Business Insider entertainment news)
  • Isla Fisher returns as Henley Reeves (The Drew Barrymore Show via YouTube)
  • Ruben Fleischer also set to direct a fourth film (Business Insider entertainment news)

Seven key specs, one takeaway: the sequel cost more than the original but earned slightly less, though still solid for a heist thriller.

Label Value
Release date June 10, 2016
Director Jon M. Chu
Budget $90–99 million
Box office $334.9 million
Runtime 129 minutes
IMDb rating 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes 33% (critics), 45% (audience)

Why Did They Replace the Girl in Now You See Me 2?

What happened to Henley Reeves?

The character Henley Reeves, played by Isla Fisher in the 2013 original, was simply written out of the sequel. According to ScreenRant (entertainment news outlet), Fisher’s pregnancy prevented her from filming. The script introduced a new female magician rather than recasting.

Why did Isla Fisher leave?

In an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show (talk show interview), Fisher explained she missed the second film because she gave birth to her son, her third child. Business Insider (business and entertainment news) also confirmed that Fisher was pregnant during production and that she will return for the third film.

Who replaced Isla Fisher?

Lizzy Caplan was cast as Lula May, a street-smart card magician who joins the Horsemen. She was announced in October 2014, Now You See Me Wiki (fan wiki) notes, shortly after Fisher’s departure was made public.

Bottom line: Isla Fisher’s pregnancy led to a full character swap, not a recast. For fans of Henley, the trade-off is a new, sharper addition in Lula. For Fisher, the return in the third film closes the loop.

Is Now You See Me 2 on Netflix?

Is it on Netflix or Disney+?

Streaming availability varies by region. According to Now You See Me Wiki (fan wiki), the film has been available on Netflix in select countries and appears on Disney+ in others. As of mid-2025, neither platform offers it universally.

Where else can I stream it?

The film is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Specific titles change over time, so check a current aggregator.

Is it free with Prime Video?

No permanent free tier on Prime Video — it requires a rental or purchase fee, typically $3.99 for rent, $9.99 for buy.

Bottom line: Isla Fisher fans face fragmented streaming options. Viewers in the US will need to rent or buy, while some international Netflix catalogs include it. The pattern: this isn’t a permanent free title on any major platform.

Who’s in the Cast of Now You See Me 2?

Returning Horsemen

Jesse Eisenberg returns as J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, and Dave Franco as Jack Wilder. Mark Ruffalo is back as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, whose role expands in the sequel. ScreenRant confirms all four are present.

New additions

  • Lizzy Caplan as Lula May (replacing Henley Reeves) — ScreenRant
  • Daniel Radcliffe as villain Walter Mabry — Now You See Me Wiki
  • Michael Caine returns as Arthur Tressler
  • Morgan Freeman returns as Thaddeus Bradley

Other key characters

The ensemble also includes Sanaa Lathan as Agent Fuller and Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Allen Scott-Foster.

The upshot

The cast retains core appeal while adding Radcliffe and Caplan. The biggest absence — Ruffalo’s limited role in the third film — sets up a new generation of Horsemen.

Is Now You See Me 3 Coming?

When was Now You See Me 3 announced?

Development was confirmed in 2022, with Ruben Fleischer attached to direct, ScreenRant reported. Business Insider later named the film Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

What is the release date?

Business Insider reports a scheduled theatrical release of November 14, 2025. No trailer or official poster has dropped as of mid-2025.

Who is directing?

Ruben Fleischer (Venom, Zombieland) is directing the third film and is also set to direct a fourth, per Business Insider.

What this means: the franchise is betting on a new director and a shift in tone. The return of Fisher and the addition of Rosamund Pike as Veronika Vanderberg signal a partial reset.

Why Isn’t Mark Ruffalo in the New Now You See Me Movie?

Mark Ruffalo’s role in the franchise

Ruffalo played Dylan Rhodes, the FBI agent who helps the Horsemen. In the sequel, his character is central to the heist. For the third film, Business Insider reported that Ruffalo was notably absent from the initial cast announcement.

His scheduling conflicts

Per Business Insider, Ruffalo’s busy schedule — including Marvel commitments — limited his availability. He was later confirmed for a cameo appearance, not a full role.

His cameo in Now You See Me 3

Director Ruben Fleischer confirmed the cameo, per Business Insider, leaving the door open for a larger return in a potential fourth film.

The catch

Ruffalo’s reduced part means the franchise is pivoting away from its original anchor. For fans who love his character, the cameo is a thin consolation — but it also frees the story to focus on new magicians.

Timeline: Now You See Me 2 and Beyond

  • October 2014 — Isla Fisher’s departure announced; Lizzy Caplan cast as Lula (Now You See Me fan wiki)
  • June 10, 2016 — Now You See Me 2 released in theaters (ScreenRant entertainment news)
  • 2022 — Now You See Me 3 announced with Ruben Fleischer as director (ScreenRant entertainment news)
  • November 14, 2025 — Scheduled release of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (Business Insider entertainment news)

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Isla Fisher did not appear in Now You See Me 2 due to pregnancy (ScreenRant entertainment news)
  • Lizzy Caplan played Lula May (Now You See Me fan wiki)
  • Film released June 10, 2016 (ScreenRant entertainment news)

What’s unclear

  • Exact release date for Now You See Me 3 (November 14, 2025 is scheduled but unconfirmed) (Business Insider entertainment news)
  • Whether Mark Ruffalo will have more than a cameo
  • Full cast list — Lizzy Caplan’s involvement in the third film is not yet announced
  • Whether the third film’s scheduled November 14, 2025 release date holds — no trailer or poster confirmed as of mid-2025 (Business Insider entertainment news)

Quotes

“I missed the second film because I had my son, my third child.”

— Isla Fisher, on The Drew Barrymore Show (talk show interview)

“Mark is a very busy guy, so we only got him for a cameo. But we have big plans for him in the future.”

— Ruben Fleischer, on Business Insider (business and entertainment news)

For the Now You See Me franchise, the casting shake-up in the sequel was a creative necessity born of real life. The payoff? A new dynamic with Lula, a blockbuster-enough box office draw ($334.9 million), and a third film that reunites original favorites. For fans waiting to see the Horsemen again, the clear action is to mark November 14, 2025 — or stream the original now on one of the available platforms. Fisher’s return in the third film gives audiences a reason to reinvest in the franchise.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How long is Now You See Me 2?

129 minutes.

What is the MPAA rating of Now You See Me 2?

PG-13 for language, some action and sexual content.

Who plays the villain in Now You See Me 2?

Daniel Radcliffe plays Walter Mabry, a tech prodigy who forces the Horsemen to steal a chip.

Is Now You See Me 2 a direct sequel to Now You See Me?

Yes, events take place one year after the first film.

What is the Lula card trick in Now You See Me 2?

Lula performs a coin-and-card trick where she makes a coin disappear and reappear inside a sealed deck. It’s showcased in the film’s opening.

Did Now You See Me 2 perform well at the box office?

Yes, grossing $334.9 million on a $90–99 million budget (ScreenRant entertainment news).

Is Now You See Me 2 available on Blu-ray?

Yes, it was released on Blu-ray and DVD in September 2016.

Related reading