'Now You See Me 2' to cast a spell

The upcoming film Now You See Me 2 has a stellar cast including Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe starring as the villain. [Photo provided to China Daily]

With around one-third of Now You See Me 2 based in Macao, and the Mandarin-spouting Mark Ruffalo and Jay Chou forming part of a stellar cast, the feature film is expected to hit the spot with moviegoers on the mainland. Xu Fan reports.

From Mark Ruffalo showing off his Mandarin skills to the plot's generous Chinese content, it appears that Now You See Me 2 is the latest Hollywood tentpole aiming to please China, now the world's most lucrative movie market.

A sequel to the 2013 hit Now You See Me, the crime thriller will open in mainland theaters on June 24.

Typically, cinemas here are dominated by domestic titles over July and August. Consequently, June is flooded with foreign blockbusters.

And competition for screen space is fierce. Along with Now You See Me 2, Independence Day: Resurgence and Hong Kong award-winning director Johnnie To's Three, have premieres on the same date.