Although it's nearly two months before "Now You See Me 2" materializes in theaters, Lionsgate has already locked down Jon M. Chu to return to direct the next film in the series.

Variety characterizes the deal as a sign the studio believes the June 10 sequel will perform at least as well 2013 original, which grossed $351.7 million worldwide.

Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg,  Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine reprise their roles in the heist thriller, joined by franchise newcomers Isla Fisher and Daniel Radcliffe.

"Now You See Me 2" picks up a year after the Four Horsemen outwitted the FBI, with the illusionists resurfacing for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing an unethical tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry (Radcliffe), a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.