‘Now You See Me’: How real illusionists made movie magic
Magicians have amazed audiences with illusions for centuries, but in modern entertainment, filmmakers are the reigning wizards. Visual effects are their illusions. CGI is their bag of tricks. All that is very familiar to French director Louis Leterrier, whose movies include The Incredible Hulk and Clash of the Titans. But for his latest movie, Now You See Me, opening today in theaters, he set out to limit the use of computer-generated effects.
“I was coming from those big spectacle movies where CGI was almost like one of the main characters, but from the very beginning [of developing Now You See Me] we decided to take a low-tech approach to everything,” Leterrier says.
Now You See Me stars Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco as magicians who come to be known as the Four Horsemen. When they rob a bank in the middle of one their spectacular show performances, they’re pursued by FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo).
For some inside knowledge of the magicians’ world, Leterrier hired David Kwong, founder of the Misdirectors Guild, a group of illusionists who consult on films. Kwong helped develop the film’s script and was one of multiple illusionists who taught the actors their tricks.
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Month: July 2013
Isla Fisher reveals Louboutin ‘scar’
Isla Fisher reveals Louboutin ‘scar’
Isla Fisher hasn’t been put off wearing Louboutin heels despite being “forever scarred” after wearing them.
The flame haired beauty stars as Henley the escapologist in upcoming movie Now You See Me, and admitted she didn’t adapt too well to the stunt work involved.
Isla blamed her femme fatale character’s lion-taming costume on her mishap.
“I had to jump over a wall in Louboutin heels. I came straight over and took the skin off my knees. One of them was healed but the other one is forever scarred. I also did a bit of bad jump when I had to leap of a building – I hurt my neck a bit. It’s normal wear and tear,” Isla told Total Film magazine. “We didn’t really know what kind of stunts we were going to do until the day, so it was hard to prep for them – especially since I’m not the sportiest person!”
Despite her mishap on the set of the film, Isla chose to don a pair of the towering peep-toes for her editorial photo shoot with the July UK edition of Cosmopolitan magazine.
In her centre spread, the witty star poses in a light green embellished Jenny Packham dress, light coloured Christian Louboutins and a bracelet by Buba.
“If blondes have more fun, redheads definitely have more freckles,” she revealed to the publication.
“My underwear drawer is full of Agent Provocateur of course!”
For her Los Angeles based shoot with Cosmopolitan, Isla chose from three suitcases of clothes and 21 pairs of shoes.
From all the outfits she wore, Isla loved a purple shimmering Topshop bikini the most, and was given the two-piece as a gift from the magazine after.
For the cover image, Isla smiles in a sunshine yellow dress by Rachel Gilbert, with her hair styled using Bumble and Bumble products with her make-up courtesy of the Chanel Les Beiges range.
“Now You See Me” B-Roll
“Now You See Me” DVD and Blu-ray out September 3rd in US
The lines between magic, illusion and crime blur in the “exceedingly clever” (Entertainment Weekly) Now You See Me arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD, Digital Copy and Digital UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View September 3 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate company. Now You See Me will also be available for Digital Download August 30th, four days prior to the Blu-ray and DVD release. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Extended Director’s Cut of the film featuring 16 minutes of never-before-seen footage.
Prepare to be amazed as “The Four Horsemen,” a super-team of the world’s greatest illusionists, pull off a series of daring heists while evading a squad of FBI agents and an Interpol detective trying to stop them before their most daring final trick! Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans), Now You See Me is a visually spectacular blend of astonishing illusions and exhilarating action starring Academy Award nominees Jesse Eisenberg (Actor in a Leading Role, The Social Network, 2010) and Woody Harrelson Supporting Role, The Messenger, 2009) alongside Isla Fisher (The Great Gatsby) and Dave Franco (Warm Bodies) as the magicians known as “The Four Horsemen.” The film also stars Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman (Actor in a Supporting Role, Million Dollar Baby, 2004) and Michael Caine (Actor in a Supporting Role, The Cider House Rules, 1999), plus Mark Ruffalo (Marvel’s The Avengers) and Mélanie Laurent (Beginners) as the law-enforcement team hot on their tails. The screenplay is by Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt, with a story by Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt.
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New layout here at Isla Fisher Web!
We have a brand new layout up here at Isla Fisher Web! This dazzling creation was made for us by Flor, and I just love the colours and photos she used. I hope you enjoy our fresh new look here – leave a comment if you have any feedback!
Isla & Jesse Eisenberg talk “Now You See Me” via Skype
Jesse Eisenberg & Isla Fisher answer reader’s questions via Skype
MSN’s James Hurley hosts a session of fan questions via Skype for Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher.