DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Is Happening; Universal Sets 2024 Release

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The delayed 46th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival wrapped Wednesday with the award of 13 prizes for its young filmmaker, documentary and shorts competitions. Hailed by the jury as “one of this year’s most distinguished films both creatively and artistically,” Qiu Jiongjiong’s “A New Old Play” was named best film for the Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language). “A New Old Play” is a tale of a family of Sichuan Opera artists living through a tumultuous era. It also collected the FIPRESCI Prize, with the jury commending the film for “its masterful approach and inventive visual style.”  In the global category, Palestinian director Maha Haj’s “Mediterranean Fever” was chosen as the Firebird Award winner for being “an all-rounded gem that is at once a thriller, social comedy, and odd couple bromance.” 

For many people, the only thing they know about “Infernal Affairs” is that it served as the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s beloved “The Departed.” However, over the years, the “Infernal Affairs” trilogy has gained a legacy that some would argue is more influential on cinema than what Scorsese did with his reimagining. And thankfully, for those who have yet to see the films, you’re about to have a chance to see the films in their best presentation yet.  READ MORE: ‘Power Of The Dog,’ ‘Infernal Affairs,’ ‘Malcolm X’ & More Coming From Criterion In November Thanks to the folks at Janus Films, all three “Infernal Affairs” films are getting new 4K restorations and a US re-release.

For many people, the only thing they know about “Infernal Affairs” is that it served as the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s beloved “The Departed.” However, over the years, the “Infernal Affairs” trilogy has gained a legacy that some would argue is more influential on cinema than what Scorsese did with his reimagining.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Neon has landed U.S. distribution rights to South Korean director Park Chan-wook’s film “Oldboy” and plans to bring the dark revenge thriller back to theaters in honor of its 20th anniversary. It will mark the first time Park’s film plays on the big screen since its initial release on Nov. 21, 2003. Neon has not specified the exact date that “Oldboy” will return to the big screen. “Oldboy,” which Oark co-wrote with Hwang Jo-yun and Lim Joon-hyung, won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, led by jury president Quentin Tarantino. The acclaimed film stars Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-Su, a man who was kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. After he’s released, he has five days to find his captor. Yoo Ji-tae and Kang Hye-jung co-star in the film.

Wilson Chapman editorWeeks before its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, military drama film “The Inspection” has received a first trailer from A24. The distributor has also set a Nov. 18 theatrical release date.“The Inspection” is the narrative debut for writer-director Elegance Bratton, who previously helmed the feature documentary “Pier Kids,” which followed homeless queer youth in New York, and the Vice docuseries “My House,” which followed competitive ballroom dancing.Bratton pulled from his own experiences as a gay man in Marine Corps basic training during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era for “The Inspection.” The drama stars Jeremy Pope as Ellis French, a troubled man who enlists after being rejected by his mother (Gabrielle Union).

tells Netflix. “This is all in plain sight from the very start.

Angelina Jolie was joined by her youngest son as she shopped in Los Angeles. Jolie and Knox were spotted at Los Feliz dressed casually, as they carried some groceries to their car. Salma Hayek praises Angelina Jolie and describes her as the ‘best director’ she has ever workedAngelina Jolie drops off Zahara at college, shares that she’s ecxited in emotional videoJolie was photographed wearing a white dress that she paired with some sandals and a beige purse.Knox, who’s 14 years old, was photographed carrying the groceries and wearing a white T-shirt and black pants.

EXCLUSIVE: Through its first-look film deal at Universal Pictures, 87North has set up Mrs. K, a re-imagining of Yuhang Ho’s 2016 Malaysian-Hong Kong cult hit, at the studio.

Michaela Zee editorSomething sinister is lurking in the shadows. Netflix has shared a special first look at “Cabinet of Curiosities,” its upcoming horror anthology series from Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro.

EXCLUSIVE: Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK rights to Hong Kong family drama Mama’s Affair, which marks the film acting debut of two members of hot local boy band Mirror, Keung To and Jer Lau, from Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures.

Wilson Chapman editorEverybody’s gonna be kung fu fighting — a fourth film in the “Kung Fu Panda” series will release in 2024, Universal Pictures announced Friday.The film, which is slated for a March 8, 2024 release, will be the first film in the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise since 2016, when the DreamWorks Animation series concluded a planned trilogy. The films focus on Po (Jack Black), an excitable panda bear living in a fantasy version of ancient China.

“Kung Fu Panda 4” is officially in the works at DreamWorks and Universal, with a wide release set for March 8, 2024. The film will mark the third sequel of the original “Kung Fu Panda,” which premiered in 2008 to become DreamWorks’ highest-grossing original animated film.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefSelena Lee, Kenny Kwan, and Adam Pak lead the cast of “Tape,” a Cantonese-language remake of the Richard Linklater drama film that debuted in 2001. The new film is to be directed by Bizhan Tong (“Forensic Psychologist,” “The Audition”) with cameras set to roll next month in Hong Kong.“Tape” tells the story of 3 best friends who, following an event at a graduation party that transforms their lives, reunite 15 years later where a case of blackmail forces them to confront a terrible secret from their past.The original film starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard and played at the Sundance, Toronto and Rotterdam festivals.In Tong’s remake, Kwan, Lee, and Pak play the contemporary characters while Mason Fung, Summer Chan, and Angus Yeung portray their younger versions.

The decision to move Sega’s famous blue speedster into the competitive holiday season shows how bullish Paramount is on the franchise, as the first “Sonic the Hedgehog” was released on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2020 with “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” getting a release this past April during the spring break period for many schools. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! #SonicMovie3 IS COMING TO THEATRES ON DECEMBER 20, 2024!!! AHHH!!! pic.twitter.com/2H2QtmwxZlCombined, the two “Sonic” films have grossed $721 million worldwide, with “Sonic 2” grossing $401.8 million.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Minions: The Rise of Gru” has been given a mainland China theatrical release date of Aug. 19, 2022.

Wilson Chapman editorThe world’s most famous fat cat is coming to theaters soon. “Garfield,” an animated film starring Chris Pratt as the famous Jim Davis comic strip character, will premiere in theaters Feb. 16, 2024.In addition to Pratt, the film will also star Samuel L.

Sony will be opening the Alcon Entertainment animated movie on February 16, 2024.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Joker: Folie à Deux” is hitting theaters in 2024.The sequel, which sees the return of Joaquin Phoenix as Batman’s notorious foe, will debut on the big screen on Oct. 4, 2024 — exactly five years after the first film was released.The follow-up to 2019’s blockbuster “Joker” will be a musical, with none other than Lady Gaga expected to play the Clown Prince of Crime’s co-conspirator Harley Quinn. “Joker” was inteded to be a standalone film, but after the original grossed more than $1 billion globally and won Phoenix an Oscar, a sequel was pre-ordained.

$1 billion worldwide and earned 12 Oscar nominations, with Joaquin Phoenix winning his first Oscar for his performance as struggling comedian Arthur Fleck, aka The Joker.“Folie a Deux” roughly translates to “shared madness,” which may be a comment on how the Joker tapped into the boiling rage in Gotham City over its growing inequality, leading to the original film’s dramatic climax in which Batman’s future arch nemesis dances on top of a police car as a rioting crowd cheers him on.According to an insider with knowledge of the project, a lot of the “Joker” sequel takes place inside Arkham Asylum.Deadline first reported the news.