Poster for Mortdecai. Photo provided to China Daily

Hailed as one of the most versatile actors of his age in Hollywood, Johnny Depp will soon meet Chinese moviegoers on the big screen in an upcoming comedy thriller.

Mortdecai, adapted from the best-selling novel series written by English author Kyril Bonfiglioli, will hit mainland theaters on April 17.

Depp stars the lead role, Charlie Mortdecai, a debonair art dealer and part-time rogue, who rivals with juggling some angry Russians, the British MI5, and an international terrorist, to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain a code that leads to lost Nazi gold.

The David Koepp-directed production also stars American actress Gwyneth Paltrow, familiar to Chinese viewers for her Iron Man franchise.

Depp, 52, made his first visit to China last year to promote his sci-fi blockbuster Transcendence, delighting fans by giving everyone in sight warm hugs and encouraging China and Hollywood to learn from one another.