Having just wrapped “Jem and the Holograms,” Jon M. Chu has emerged as the frontrunner to direct “Now You See Me 2” for Summit Entertainment, multiple individuals familiar with the sequel have told TheWrap.
A representative for Chu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Mark Ruffalo are all expected to return for the sequel to last year’s sleeper hit, which grossed more than $350 million worldwide and displayed staying power throughout a competitive summer.
Also read: How ‘Now You See Me’ Side-Stepped Critics and Built Its Own Buzz (Video)
Original “Now You See Me” director Louis Leterrier will not return for the sequel.
Written by Edward Ricourt & Boaz Yakin and Ed Solomon, “Now You See Me” pit an elite FBI squad in a game of cat and mouse against “The Four Horsemen,” a super-team of the world’s greatest illusionists. “The Four Horsemen” pull off a series of daring heists against corrupt business leaders during their performances, showering the stolen profits of their audiences while staying one step ahead of the law.
Also read: ‘Now You See Me’ Writers Edward Ricourt and Ed Solomon Make Movie Magic
“Now You See Me” was produced by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Bobby Cohen via their Kurtzman Orci Paper Products production banner, and executive produced by Yakin, Michael Schaefer and Stan Wlodkowski.
Chu, who directed three “Step Up” sequels, two Justin Bieber documentaries and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” remains attached to direct “G.I. Joe 3.” He recently directed “Jem and the Holograms” for Blumhouse.
Chu is represented by WME, Principato-Young Entertainment and attorney Allison Binder.