Magic Mike 3: Salma Hayek replaces Thandiwe Newton

Move over Magic Mike, Salma Hayek has arrived. Production on Magic Mike 3 recently began in London but there’s been a last-minute casting change as Thandiwe Newton has stepped away from the project and will be replaced by Salma Hayek.

Thandiwe Newton was in talks to join the cast of the Magic Mike sequel last year, but a spokesperson for Warner Bros. told Variety that “Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from the production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters.” Salma Hayek was brought in to replace Newton on Magic Mike 3, which is titled Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is expected to wrap up the story of Channing Tatum’s Mike Lane, a character loosely based on Tatum’s own experiences as a stripper in Florida. After handing the reins to Gregory Jacobs for the sequel, original director Steven Soderbergh is back to helm Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Reid Carolin, who wrote Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, has also returned to pen this franchise’s final installment.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance is being made exclusively for HBO Max, where it’s sure to attract a lot of attention. “Is there anybody on screen more charismatic and appealing than Magic Mike?” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “We’re thrilled to be back in business with Channing, Steven, and their creative team to bring back Magic Mike’s wonderful combination of dance, drama, romance, and humor.” The first film grossed $167 million worldwide on a budget of just $7 million, while the sequel grossed $122 million worldwide with a budget of $14 million. The franchise has also spawned a live stage show as well as a reality series, Finding Magic Mike.