Dave Franco Confirms Now You See Me 4 Script Is Underway

 The Four Horsemen’s next cinematic act has moved one step closer to the screen. Dave Franco has confirmed that work is underway on the screenplay for Now You See Me 4, offering fans the clearest progress report yet on the next chapter of the popular magic-heist franchise.

In an exclusive update shared by ScreenRant, Franco was direct about the sequel’s current status: “They’re writing [it] right now!”

It is a brief update, but an important one. Lionsgate previously announced that a fourth film was in development, and Franco’s comment confirms that the project has advanced into active writing. The story, title, production schedule and release date have not yet been revealed.

Now You See Me 4 Is Officially in Development

Lionsgate announced Now You See Me 4 during CinemaCon in April 2025, months before the third movie reached theaters. Ruben Fleischer, who directed Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, was also announced as returning to direct the fourth installment.

At the time, the announcement demonstrated the studio’s confidence in the series before audiences had even seen the Horsemen’s return. Franco’s new update indicates that development has continued and that writers are now shaping the next illusion-filled adventure.

The identity of the current writer or writing team has not been officially revealed. There is also no indication that the screenplay is finished. Film scripts commonly pass through multiple drafts before production begins, so the news does not necessarily mean cameras will begin rolling soon.

For now, the most accurate description is that Now You See Me 4 is moving forward at the screenplay stage.

The Four Horsemen Made a Successful Return in 2025

The franchise returned in November 2025 with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, nearly a decade after Now You See Me 2. The third movie reunited Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher as the original Four Horsemen while also introducing a younger generation of illusionists played by Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt and Dominic Sessa.

That long absence did not prevent the movie from finding an audience. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t opened at number one in North America with approximately $21.3 million and earned an estimated $75.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend, according to the Associated Press. Its eventual worldwide total approached $247 million.

Those results proved that audiences were still interested in the Horsemen’s combination of elaborate illusions, heist-movie plotting and rapid-fire twists. The commercial response also gave Lionsgate a strong reason to continue developing the fourth film.

Will Dave Franco Return as Jack Wilder?

Franco has portrayed card expert and sleight-of-hand specialist Jack Wilder since the original Now You See Me arrived in 2013. His willingness to discuss the new screenplay is an encouraging sign, but his comment should not be treated as formal confirmation that he has signed on to appear.

A complete cast for Now You See Me 4 has not been announced. Jesse Eisenberg has publicly expressed strong interest in returning as J. Daniel Atlas, describing the franchise as his “happiest place,” but enthusiasm from the actors is different from a finalized contract.

The third film’s expanded ensemble gives the writers several possible directions. A fourth movie could reunite the original Horsemen, focus more heavily on the younger illusionists or combine both teams for another large-scale mission. Until Lionsgate releases a synopsis or cast announcement, those possibilities remain speculation.

Why the Next Film Matters to Magic Fans

The Now You See Me movies occupy an unusual place in modern cinema. Few current film franchises place magicians, illusionists, escapologists and sleight-of-hand performers at the center of a major theatrical adventure.

Although the series frequently stretches magic beyond what would be possible in a live performance, it has also encouraged its actors to study genuine techniques. For the third film, members of the cast trained at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and practiced skills including card work, pickpocketing and card throwing. Director Ruben Fleischer and the performers also emphasized using practical magic when possible, according to Reuters.

That effort matters. When real technique, convincing performance and cinematic spectacle work together, the magic feels more exciting because audiences can sense that at least part of what they are seeing is genuinely being performed.

The fourth movie now has an opportunity to build on that approach. Magic fans will likely be watching to see whether the new screenplay gives its illusions room to breathe, allows the performers’ skills to remain visible and creates surprises that feel earned rather than relying entirely on visual effects.

When Will Now You See Me 4 Be Released?

Lionsgate has not announced a release date or filming schedule for Now You See Me 4. With the screenplay still being written, any prediction about when the film might reach theaters would be premature.

The important news is that the project has not disappeared. Dave Franco’s update confirms that the next adventure is actively taking shape—even if the filmmakers are not ready to reveal the trick just yet.

For fans who waited nearly 10 years between the second and third films, knowing that the next screenplay is already underway is a promising sign. The Four Horsemen may not be ready to step back into the spotlight, but preparations for their next act have officially begun.

Read the original ScreenRant report.