‘Now You See Me 2? Gets ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Director Jon Chu

Jon M. Chu is in talks with Lionsgate to direct “Now You See Me 2,” which is set for a fall start.

The studio has been touting “Now You See Me 2? as a key component in its strategy to capitalize on franchises. It has not yet dated the sequel.

Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Mark Ruffalo have been signed to reprise their roles from last year’s comedy-drama, which grossed $350 million worldwide.

Louis Leterrier directed the original from a script by Edward Ricourt, Boaz Yakin and Ed Solomon with a team of four magicians — also known as The Four Horsemen — pulling off a series of daring heists against a corrupt bank. “Now You See Me” was produced by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Bobby Cohen.

Chu directed three “Step Up” movies, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “Jem and the Holograms.” He’s repped by WME, Principato-Young Entertainment and attorney Allison Binder.

– Variety