Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, known for their iconic roles in the film franchises Zombieland and Now You See Me, are set to reconnect in the upcoming third installment of the latter series, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, directed by Ruben Fleischer, who also helmed Zombieland. As anticipation builds for this sequel, fans are questioning whether a third Zombieland installment is on the horizon.
In a recent interview promoting the new film, Eisenberg expressed enthusiasm for making Zombieland 3 but noted that it seems less likely compared to further installments of Now You See Me. Eisenberg remarked that while there was a considerable gap between Zombieland films, the pace for Now You See Me has been much quicker, suggesting that the studio is more committed to developing this franchise.
Fans of Zombieland may feel disheartened by Eisenberg’s comments, but it is understandable considering the current landscape of both franchises. Over the last 12 years, the Now You See Me series has been actively cultivated, resulting in a fourth installment already announced by Lionsgate, demonstrating confidence in the franchise’s potential. Meanwhile, Zombieland has seen a slower approach, with no significant developments on a third film since the sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, was released.
Ruben Fleischer has also voiced hesitations about reviving Zombieland for another round. He previously endorsed the concept of creating new installments every decade, implying a cautious optimism while recognizing the risk of diminishing returns with sequels. Although Zombieland: Double Tap outperformed its predecessor in terms of revenue, the mixed critical reception indicated a possible decline in freshness for the franchise.
Looking ahead, there remains hope for Zombieland, as the framework of a post-apocalyptic, zombie-ridden world offers creative possibilities for storytelling. A decade-spaced approach to sequels could provide the opportunity to showcase character development and fresh challenges, ensuring the narrative remains engaging. As the future of Now You See Me appears promising, fans can still hope that Hollywood may one day also breathe new life into Zombieland, delivering more adventures with the beloved characters.