Introducing the New Generation of Magicians
As Now You See Me: Now You Don’t continues to pull in big box-office numbers and fans practically begging the studio for more installments, it’s clear the franchise is officially back in its chaotic, illusion-filled groove. Three movies in, the series has become its own brand of magical nonsense—in the best possible way—mixing heists, heart, and just enough misdirection to keep audiences leaning forward in their seats.
And part of the fun? The characters. From smug master magicians to chaotic newcomers, the Now You See Me trilogy has built a roster that’s just as entertaining as the tricks themselves. So with the third film breathing new life (and new personalities) into the universe, it feels like the perfect time to rank the best ones.
June Rouclere – The Youngest Addition to the Crew
Played by Ariana Greenblatt, June Rouclere injects Now You See Me: Now You Don’t with a jolt of fresh energy and spunk. A gifted pick-pocket, lock-picker, and acrobat, she excels in the boots-on-the-ground chaos, helping her two friends (and the Horsemen) execute some of the film’s trickiest crowd-work illusions. Loyal to the bone, her agility and combat skills give her a tangible edge compared to the rest, who’s all about trickery and deception.
While June doesn’t yet have the emotional or narrative history of the legacy characters, she earns her spot by proving she can keep pace with the veterans. The third film clearly positions her as a long-term investment: someone learning the old ways while bringing new instincts. Fingers crossed she gets her defining moment in the next film. Her potential is enormous, and her introduction signals a smart generational shift for the franchise.
Bosco LeRoy – Charismatic Frontman
Introduced as the charismatic frontman of the new trio of magician-con-artists, Bosco LeRoy (Dominic Sessa) immediately stands out as a skilled impressionist with enough confidence and attitude to rival even one of the OG Horsemen. Between the deepfake gags, campy disguises, and some beautifully executed stagecraft, Bosco is a performer who commits completely.
Sure, he may be a little standoffish with the legacy Horsemen, but he’s a person who’s driven by his need to protect his closest friends. Beneath the showmanship, Bosco is one of the most supportive characters in the new lineup, often nudging the trio’s dynamics into place and encouraging them in ways that reveal how deeply he cares. He’s the friend that will literally break into prison alone if it means getting you to safety. In the end, Bosco is reliable, clever, and flexible—exactly the kind of magician who thrives when the Eye needs adaptive thinkers.
Charlie Vanderberg – The Tech Prodigy
First appearing as the quiet tech prodigy of the trio, Charlie (Justice Smith) proves to be a magician who views illusion through the lens of coding, algorithms, and digital misdirection. His creativity fuels some of the third film’s most inventive tricks, serving as a bridge between the classical sleight-of-hand roots of the franchise and the new era of hybridized magic. Charlie’s innovations keep the Horsemen on their toes, positioning him early on as a crucial part of the film’s modern magic identity.
But then the truth drops: Charlie isn’t just a talented technician—he’s the mastermind behind the entire revenge-driven narrative of Now You See Me: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. His long game against exposing Veronika Vanderberg’s (Rosamund Pike) crimes reframes the film’s events as his own origin story, not a traditional Horsemen heist. By designing the central con and manipulating the Horsemen into unwitting allies, Charlie reveals himself to be one of the most formidable thinkers in the franchise—earning a high good ranking despite only appearing in one installment. No longer is he hiding in the shadows, but standing in the limelight.
Thaddeus Bradley – The Grey Figure
Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman) has always been the franchise’s most fascinating foil. A retired magician turned exposer of illusions, he always appeared to sit in the grey. In the first film, he was positioned as a smug antagonistic figure who existed to deflate the Horsemen’s grandeur. But as the series unfolds, the truth emerges: he was once a grandmaster of the Eye, a man who understands both the power and the dangers of misdirection better than almost anyone.
By the time Now You See Me: Now You Don’t arrives, Thaddeus has seemingly become an elder statesman who has earned the team’s trust. That’s why his shocking death became one of the franchise’s rare emotional gut-punches, with Freeman’s signature gravitas making the moment linger even harder. He was the franchise’s meta-commentator, its conscience, and its longest-running check on the Horsemen’s arrogance (even if it rivaled his own). Indeed, Thaddeus remains one of the series’ most memorable presences—and he will truly be missed.
Henley Reeves – The Dynamic Escapologist
Returning triumphantly in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t after her absence from the second film, Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) reminds audiences why she was always one of the most dynamic magicians in the franchise. As a world-class escapologist with nerves of steel, Henley gives the team a level of professionalism and stage command that the Horsemen occasionally lack. In the first movie, she’s essential to the team’s polish and sense of theatricality.
In the third film, Henley proves she hasn’t missed a beat. She’s instrumental in escaping the film’s final sandbox trap, reminding the Horsemen of the fundamentals of escapism and ultimately using her diamond ring to crack the glass from within. And while the film acknowledges her new life as a wife and mother, it never reduces her to those roles. Instead, Henley remains cool, capable, witty, and fully in charge.
Lula May – The Wildcard
Lula May (Lizzy Caplan) is the franchise’s delightful wildcard—chaotic, audacious, and deeply committed to giving every illusion a twisted comedic edge. Introduced in Now You See Me 2, she instantly reinvents the team dynamic by bringing humor that’s weirder, riskier, and far more unpredictable than anything the Horsemen had before, especially in a goofy disguise. Whether enthusiastically demonstrating a morbid trick or blurting something wildly inappropriate mid-mission, Lula injects the series with anarchic charm.
In the threequel, Lula continues to shine as both a technician and personality, offering clever improvisation during the team’s most complicated setups. Her re-introduction alone encapsulates her theatrical value, breaking out members of the Horsemen from jail by using ridiculous disguises and pyrotechnic techniques. Lula isn’t just comic relief—she’s the spark that keeps the sequels feeling fresh. Her mix of heart and delightful oddness makes her one of the team’s most memorable members and a vital part of its evolution. Plus, her romance with Jack adds a surprising layer of sweetness to a franchise all about performance.
Merritt McKinney – The Heart of the Team
Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) brings the franchise its best combination of humor, chaos, and surprising emotional insight. As a mentalist, not only does he have the coolest abilities, but he’s also the most perceptive of the bunch—reading rooms, nudging the group through tension, and knowing exactly when to puncture a moment with a joke. Plus, across all three films, he’s arguably the backbone of the team’s interpersonal dynamic, keeping them grounded even as the plots reach peak absurdity.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t further develops his strengths and vulnerabilities. His capture and interrogation scenes underscore how his skills have real-world weight; while his open conversations with the Horsemen—about his struggling mental health—round him out as a self-reflexive individual. Harrelson gives the performance just enough pathos to deepen the character without losing his comedic bite, allowing Merritt to remain one of the franchise’s most indispensable figures (even when his twin brother is a complete pain).
J. Daniel Atlas – The Showman
There’s no doubt about it—J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) is the Horseman’s quintessential showman with his smoldering intensity, dramatic flourishes, and a very committed belief that he’s the smartest person in any room. Across all three films, he provides some of the franchise’s biggest crowd-pleasing moments, from the hypnotic card sequences to theatrical rain illusions. He’s often the self-proclaimed frontman for the group’s stage persona, and his ability to pivot mid-con gives the team a crucial edge in tight spots.
But Atlas’ ego remains to be both his strength and his Achilles’ heel. Yes, he’s a brilliant performer with exceptional instincts; however, his arrogance renders him vulnerable to mistakes, occasionally creating emotional blindspots that the rest of the group must navigate. Still, he brings undeniable electricity to the ensemble—his confidence, humor, and explosive charisma are part of what gives Now You See Me its identity. And beneath his bravado lies someone far more protective and loyal than he’d ever publicly admit.
Jack Wilder – The Rising Star
Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) has one of the most satisfying glow-ups in the franchise. Starting as a rookie street magician with agile hands and quick instincts (especially in regards to cards), he steadily matures into one of the team’s most reliable heavy-hitters. Now You See Me 2 expands his confidence and stunt-driven skill set, and by Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, Jack has become a true hybrid magician-thief, flawlessly executing some of the trilogy’s most physically complex illusions.
Whether throwing a card as a weapon, disarming a threat, or slipping through a laser grid, Jack brings a level of kinetic flair that complements the team’s more cerebral members—remember, it’s his skills that give us the most iconic sequence of the entire franchise. Coupled with his charm, he’s Now You See Me‘s most exhilarating blend of showmanship and sincerity—an audience favorite, a team essential, and a character whose return always feels like an upgrade.
Dylan Rhodes – The Emotional Anchor
Dylan (Mark Ruffalo) earns the top spot simply by being the franchise’s true spine—emotionally, narratively, and mythologically. First introduced as the hard-lined FBI agent determined to stop the Four Horsemen, he’s later revealed to be the architect of the entire operation as an undercover operative avenging his father’s death. Yes, it’s a massive plot twist. But regardless, Dylan’s double life becomes the emotional anchor of the first two films, and his struggle to balance his federal obligations with his loyalty to the Horsemen fuels some of the series’ most compelling character drama.
That’s why it felt like such a loss to not have Ruffalo in the threequel. Revealed to have been arrested and held in a Russian prison, it was heartbreaking to hear that Dylan wasn’t going to play a big role in the antics of the Horseman. At least that’s until he returns, at the very end, as a holographic illusion, welcoming the new trio into the Eye, and hinting at a new big trick. It’s a brief moment, but one that underscores how central he is to the franchise’s identity, for there is no Horsemen without the man that brought them together in the first place.
