J. Daniel Atlas Quotes in Now You See Me 2 (2016)

J. Daniel Atlas: We are going out with a show people will never forget.

J. Daniel Atlas: A magician's greatest strength is an empty fist.

Dylan Rhodes: That is to say, the ability to convince a crowd that something is inside when really there is nothing

J. Daniel Atlas: He is our leader, and he is our friend... Dylan Shrike

J. Daniel Atlas: The closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see.

[from trailer]

J. Daniel Atlas: First rule of magic: always be the smartest person in the room.

J. Daniel Atlas: The more you look, the less you see.

Merritt McKinney: When I first met you, I thought you were kind of a... dick.

Henley Reeves: And?

Merritt McKinney: No, no. That's it.

J. Daniel Atlas: That's very nice. I'm touched.

Merritt McKinney: Yeah, just from the heart.

J. Daniel Atlas: Well, I didn't say where I was touched.

[the four have just met outside the locked door of the apartment room to which they were given Tarot card clues to visit]

Jack Wilder: No way. J. Daniel Atlas? Dude, I've seen everything that you have ever done. I mean, you're, like - I, I idolize you, seriously.

J. Daniel Atlas: A true fan. It's so nice to meet you.

[They shake hands]

Jack Wilder: I'm Jack, by the way.

Merritt McKinney: Question. Did you get one of these?

[Merritt holds up his Tarot card, and Jack fishes his own out of his pocket, grinning]

Jack Wilder: Yeah, oh, yeah. Death.

[They each hold up the cards they were given]

Henley Reeves: The High Priestess.

J. Daniel Atlas: I'm the Lover.

Henley Reeves: [covering her comment with a fake cough] Three minutes.

Merritt McKinney: Hermit.

Jack Wilder: So what are we - are we waiting for someone? Why, why are we just...?

[Everyone says, "The door's locked."]

Jack Wilder: Oh, no. Nothing, nothing's ever locked.

[Facial reactions while Jack, still bashful while using his tricks, unlocks the door]

Dylan Rhodes: I can maintain my resolve much longer than you can maintain that phony arrogance. And the instant that you even show the slightest crack in that smug facade, I'll be there. I'll be all over you like...

J. Daniel Atlas: Like white on rice? Sorry, that's unfair. Let me warn you. I want you to follow, because no matter what you think you might know, we will always be one step, three steps- seven steps ahead of you, and just when you think you're catching up, that's when we'll be right behind you. And at no time will you be anywhere other than exactly where I want you to be. So come close, get all over me because the closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see.

J. Daniel Atlas: I'm going to flip through this deck and I want you to see one card, and not this one. That's too obvious. Pay close attention. That was too fast. I'll do it again. Are you ready? Okay, now did you see one?

Fan: Yes

J. Daniel Atlas: Do you have one in mind?

Fan: Yes

J. Daniel Atlas: Now, do you see your card here?

Fan: No

J. Daniel Atlas: That's because you're looking too closely. And what have I been telling you all night? The closer you look...

Crowd: The less you see!

J. Daniel Atlas: What is magic? Focused deception. But deception meant to entertain.

Merritt McKinney: I'm just trying to create the space for wisdom.

J. Daniel Atlas: Okay, so you're like Buddha, if he wasn't so enlightened.

Merritt McKinney: And you're like Jesus, if he was arrogant and all of his miracles were fake.

J. Daniel Atlas: What is magic? Magic is deception, but deception designed to delight, to entertain, to inspire. It is about belief. Faith.

Henley Reeves: Trust.

Merritt McKinney: Without those qualities, magic as an art form would no longer exist.

Henley Reeves: But what happens if these qualities are not used for their higher purpose? And instead they're used to cheat, lie.

J. Daniel Atlas: For personal gain, or for greed? Well then it's no longer magic.

Merritt McKinney: It's crime.

Henley Reeves: So tonight, for our final act, you're gonna help us set a few things right.

J. Daniel Atlas: Don't worry about it. I'll call you.

Atlas Groupie: You don't have my number.

J. Daniel Atlas: I'm magic. I'll find it. Have a good night.

J. Daniel Atlas: Ladies and gentlemen...

Henley Reeves: For our next trick...

J. Daniel Atlas: We are going to rob a bank.