Overview
- Thursday previews hit $2.1 million in North America, with projections pointing to a $20–25 million opening that would trail the first film’s debut.
- Early reviews are mixed, often praising the showy set pieces and ensemble appeal while citing overstuffed plotting and thin explanations.
- Director Ruben Fleischer emphasizes practical, in‑camera magic with minimal CG cleanup, including a much‑noted one‑take sleight‑of‑hand sequence.
- The film reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher with new recruits Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt, with Rosamund Pike as the chief antagonist and Morgan Freeman returning.
- Multiple outlets report a brief end‑credits stinger teeing up a next chapter, and trade coverage has Fleischer attached to a fourth film in development.