Morgan Freeman has been in the business for a minute. The Academy Award-winning actor has shaken many hands throughout his illustrious six-decade career. So, for any young actors working with him now, he’s got one simple rule.
“Never touch me again,” he exclaimed.
Okay, that does need further explanation.
“That’s just for shaking hands—you meet them, ask how it’s going, say ‘Good to see you here’ and welcome and all that stuff,” he elaborated to EBONY during an interview for his latest film, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.
And once those pleasantries are out of the way: “Never touch me again,” he quipped with a laugh.
That quip is totally in line with his mystical alter ego Thaddeus Bradley, who is back in this third installment of the popular heist-thriller, illusionist-centric franchise, a role Freeman loves to jump back into now and again.
“Thaddeus is just loaded with arrogance, see NYSM one and two,” for reference. Freeman does admit that Thaddeus has grown since the start of the franchise. “Now, he’s not showing arrogance at all. He’s more a grandfather type figure and wisdom is what he’s dispensing.”
Working with a new group of illusionists, including actor Justice Smith, Freeman believes the deck of cards has been placed in good hands.
“The central truth is that you don’t get hired and don’t prove that you’re pretty good,” he stated. “Particularly if you’re going to be in a superlative cast.”
This film revisits the Horseman OGs and features plenty of surprise cameos. “It’s like putting on clothes that you are used to, or slipping into a pair of comfortable shoes,” Freeman said of returning to the franchise. “Anytime you’re working with people that you’ve worked with successfully, it’s always a pleasure to be back in their company. That’s the situation I’m experiencing right now.”
It is, indeed. But one of the most shocking moments in NYSMNYD — and yes, this is a major spoiler alert — is Thaddeus taking a bullet so that the Horseman and the newbies can evade capture. So, the question is: is he really gone?
“You know, sleight of hand,” stated Freeman, waving his hand in the air.
We’ll always take more Freeman, handshake or not.
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t is currently playing in theaters.