The Next Two Years Of Movies And TV Are Going To Be Magic, Literally
Looking at the roster of movies and TV shows coming down the pipeline in the next two years, we can't help noticing that there's a lot of magic happening -- as in, top hat, card tricks, nothing-up-my-sleeve, what-part-of-your-body-did-you-just-pull-that-live-bird-out-of magic.
It's like all of Hollywood realized at once that we need more fancy magicians onscreen, and we need them now. Which is probably why, through 2016, you won't be able to wave a magic wand without bumping into some spell-casting sorceror or another. To help you keep track, we've rounded up all the magic currently in the making.
"Now You See Me: The Second Act"
The 2013 original featured a team of illusionists pulling off an elaborate series of revenge heists, but its ending begged for a sequel, which will be out next summer. (There's also a "Now You See Me 3" in the works, because the only thing better than more magic is MUCH more magic, obviously.)
"Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"
Part historical drawing-room drama, part fantasy, this miniseries set during England's Regency period tells the story of the long, weird, tortured relationship between two accomplished professionals in the field of "practical English magic."
"The Magicians"
Not to be confused with those other books about a young man attending an institution of magical learning, Lev Grossman's novels set at an American college of magic are getting their own SyFy series.
"Shadowhunters"
Get ready: Magnus Bane, the spell-casting, fancifully stylish High Warlock of Brooklyn, is going to steal the entire show (and your heart) when it airs in 2016.
"The Illusionist"
Originally a movie starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel, this thriller about stage magic and political corruption in 1889 Vienna was on its way to becoming a CW series as of last fall. (There hasn't been any news since, but keep your eyes peeled.)
"Houdini and Doyle"
The real-life friendship between illusionist Harry Houdini and author Arthur Conan Doyle becomes fodder for this series in which the two team up, Scooby Gang-style, to solve supernatural/criminal mysteries. It might be awhile before this one sees its way to a screen, though; Fox snapped it up and sent it straight to series just two months ago.
The Marvel-ous sorceror will trade in his surgical scrubs for a more dramatic, magical look when he makes his big-screen debut in November 2016.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"
And yes, 2016 will mark a cinematic return to the wizarding world we all know and love, with Eddie Redmayne in the role of Newt Scamander, Wizard Zoologist.
"Magic Mike XXL"
And finally, helloooooo, pelvic sorcery. (What? These guys aren't magicians? Then explain why my underpants, my sense of decency, and every dollar bill in my wallet just completely disappeared.)
