Abu Dhabi plays a major role in the upcoming film Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. The highly anticipated threequel to the magic-themed heist thriller series, set to be released in November, wrapped production with an action-packed, 13-day shoot across the UAE capital.
The film, which stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Rosamund Pike and Morgan Freeman, prominently features many of the emirate’s famed sites, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the Liwa desert. Clymb Yas Island, Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit and W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island are also included in the film directed by Ruben Fleischer (Venom).
Sameer Al Jaberi, head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, tells The National that the emirate was brought into the process while the movie was still being written.
“The team actually began working with Lionsgate back in 2023 when the production was at an early scripting stage," Al Jaberi says. "We worked with Epic Films throughout – from supporting several recce trips where Lionsgate selected a variety of locations, right through to the production team arriving to shoot, 19 months later.”
Abu Dhabi’s prominence will help add to the international appeal of the film, says Matt Leonetti, Lionsgate’s president of physical production. “The Now You See Me films have always taken audiences on global adventures, and this film is no exception. Abu Dhabi’s iconic locations and incredible people will be part of what makes this film so enjoyable and memorable for worldwide audiences,” he says.
The production, which participated in the emirate’s rebate scheme that was launched in 2013 and updated in January, featured large-scale, complex stunt-work for its action set pieces, requiring roads to be closed.
“We facilitated on ground support with other government departments including the Abu Dhabi Police and Department of Municipalities and Transport, and the Miral Destinations team were also instrumental in making the production possible,” says Al Jaberi.
Six UAE interns, including young Emirati talent, also participated in the shoot, in conjunction with the Creative Media Authority.
“The six individuals had roles across the locations, action vehicles, camera, wardrobe and production departments and were on set across the 13-day shoot, learning directly from the heads of departments and professional teams visiting talent involved in this large-scale international production,” says Al Jaberi.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is one of more than 180 major productions that have used Abu Dhabi as a location in recent years. That list includes the coming F1, as well as hits such as Dune, Dune: Part Two, Sonic the Hedgehog and Netflix’s 6 Underground and War Machine, as well as entries from the Mission: Impossible, Star Wars and Fast and Furious franchises.
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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Torque: 985Nm
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
More on Quran memorisation:
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
