Now You See Me 3 wraps filming in Abu Dhabi with Hollywood cast and iconic UAE locations

Dubai: Abu Dhabi residents may have caught a glimpse of Hollywood in action recently, as parts capital transformed into a film set for the upcoming movie Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. The star-studded production wrapped up a 13-day shoot across some of the emirate’s most iconic locations, according to the Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA) on Thursday, 24 April.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the highly anticipated third chapter reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco as the magician-turned-thieves, with a stellar supporting cast including Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman.

The action-packed heist thriller features dramatic sequences set against the backdrop of top attractions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, and the Liwa desert. When it hits cinemas later this year, fans will spot adrenaline-filled scenes shot at recognisable locations like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, CLYMB, Yas Marina Circuit, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, and various city streets.

Local talent played a key role in the production. A team of 175 UAE-based crew members, including Epic Films, helped bring the blockbuster to life. Six aspiring Emirati filmmakers also earned coveted internships on set through Creative Lab, the talent development arm of the Creative Media Authority.

“The Now You See Me films have always taken audiences on global adventures, and this film is no exception,” said Matt Leonetti, President of Physical Production at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “Abu Dhabi’s iconic locations and incredible people are part of what will make this film unforgettable for audiences around the world.”

The Now You See Me film franchise follows a team of illusionists called the Four Horsemen who use magic shows as a cover to pull off high-stakes heists.

As reported by Deadline Hollywood, details about the plot for the third instalment remain scarce but the Abu Dhabi backdrop was briefly showcased in a trailer at CinemaCon earlier this month.

Scheduled for release in November, the film benefited from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s production support, including generous cashback rebates and end-to-end logistical coordination.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t joins the growing list of over 180 major international productions filmed in Abu Dhabi, including Hollywood favourites like Dune, Dune: Part Two, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Netflix blockbusters 6 Underground and War Machine. The emirate has also served as a location for legendary franchises like Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and Fast and Furious.

Meanwhile, Dubai also recently stepped into the Hollywood spotlight. The upcoming Jack Ryan movie, starring John Krasinski, completed filming in the city earlier this year, with support from the Dubai Media Council.

Krasinski, who reprises his role as the CIA operative, shared his excitement on Instagram:
“So. Good. To. Be. Back! @JackRyanMovie is off and running! Huge thank you to all the incredible folks here in Dubai for letting us kick off in epic fashion in your beautiful city,” he wrote, alongside a photo from the shoot.

Directed by Andrew Burstein and produced by Amazon MGM Studios, the latest instalment in the Jack Ryan series is yet another high-profile project choosing Dubai’s dynamic cityscape for its cinematic appeal.

Dubai continues to attract top-tier productions thanks to its futuristic skyline, varied landscapes and world-class film infrastructure. Past hits filmed in the city include Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Star Trek Beyond.