Malaysia’s ACT 2 Pictures and Singapore’s Clover Films have kicked off production on US$3-million/RM13-million heist thriller, “Magik Rompak”.

The Singapore-Malaysia co-production, directed by Adrian Teh, is about a legendary magician who assembles a reluctant crew for an audacious heist to steal a priceless gem. Ultimately, the team has to perfect the art of illusion and, according to the film’s publicity material, “confront their own vulnerabilities, and orchestrate the ultimate vanishing act to protect their futures”.

Singapore’s Tay Ping Hui (“Legend of The Condor Heroes”) stars as one of the villains along with Sharnaaz Ahmad (“Polis Evo 3”), Zul Ariffin (“Sheriff”), Miller Khan (“The Bridge”), Fabian Loo (“Fly By Night”), Amelia Henderson (“Pulau”), Yasmin Hani (“Gold”) and Elvina Mohamad (“Zombitopia”).

The movie will be entirely shot in Malaysia over a 50-day production period, with parts filmed at the Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Johor.

Singapore's  visual effects house, WOWFX Studios, will craft "a significant portion" of the film's digital effects.

“Magik Rompak” is jointly produced in in association with Golden Screen Cinemas and Astro Shaw.

Teh said he was experimenting with "innovative filming equipment" to create visual experiences in the film.

May Woo of ACT 2 Pictures, and Paulyn Chua and Lim Teck of Clover Films will serve as executive producers.