How Lizzy Caplan's Lula Joined The Horsemen In Now You See Me 2
How did Lizzy Caplan's Luna May join the Four Horsemen in Now You See Me 2? The original Now You See Me Rotten Tomatoes score stands at a lukewarm 51%, but it proved to be a surprise crowdpleaser back in 2013. It featured Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco as the Four Horsemen, a group of magicians who pull off a series of increasingly elaborate heists. The movie's plot twists and logic don't hold up to much scrutiny, but it made for enjoyable fluff that grossed over $350 million.
While it didn't necessarily set itself up for a sequel, it didn't take long for one to arrive. Now You See Me 2 cast newcomers to the franchise like Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Radcliffe, and while reviews were even colder and it grossed slightly less, it was still a comfortable hit in 2016. It also proved the franchise had legs, though a planned spinoff featuring Jay Chou's NYSM 2 character Li has yet to arrive. Now You See Me 3 is currently in development, with writer Eric Warren Singer penning the script.
Sadly, Isla Fisher wasn't part of Now You See Me 2, with the actress being pregnant when the sequel went into production and opting out of returning. Her character Henley's absence is explained in the sequel as her deciding to leave after growing restless awaiting orders from The Eye. Stepping in to take her place was Lizzy Caplan's Luna, dubbed "The Self Decapitator."
Luna is essentially the comic relief of the group in Now You See Me 2, and is skilled at misdirection. She's first introduced breaking into Atlas' (Jesse Eisenberg) apartment, displaying her knack for pulling tricks and revealing her intimate knowledge of the crew's inner workings. Atlas recognizes her from some "b-grade" magic show eight years prior where she pulled a hat out of a rabbit, but he's a little unsettled by her knowledge of The Eye, including why Henley left and that Jack (Dave Franco) faked his death in the original.
Luna soon disappears after Atlas tries to tie her up, but she later appears when it's revealed Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) has recruited her as the latest member of the group. Lizzy Caplan proved to be a fun addition to the cast of Now You See Me 2, though the handwaving away of Henley's character is a little disappointing. It's not confirmed the same Four Horsemen cast line-up from the sequel will return for the planned third entry, though it's likely a few familiar faces will be back.