Wang Jianlin, Chinese Billionaire Who Stalked Hollywood, Poised to Sell Last Piece of Wanda Film

Ncuti Gatwa will officially take the helm as the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who's Christmas Day episode. He joins the Whoniverse as the first Black actor and first openly queer actor to lead the series.

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa's journey to stardom hasn't been a walk in the park, as he's battled with depression and homelessness.The Rwandan-Scottish actor, who shot to fame on Netflix's Sex Education, has become the 14th Time Lord, following in the footsteps of Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant, and Matt Smith. But what's the story behind this 31 year old actor? Let's delve into his off-screen life, from his struggles with homelessness to his fight for privacy, breaking stereotypes and the question he's always asked. Born in Rwanda, Ncuti and his family moved to Scotland amidst the 1994 genocide.

Hollywood star Idris Elba doesn’t want Ncuti Gatwa to be known as “the black Doctor”.

John Bleasdale Guest Contributor South Korean director Hong Sang-soo was awarded the El Gouna Gold Star for best narrative film for his meditation on art and relationships, “In Our Day,” as the delayed edition of the El Gouna Film Festival held its closing ceremony on Thursday. The Italian animated film “A Greyhound of a Girl,” directed by Enzo D’Alò, and the Brazilian director Guto Parente’s “A Strange Path” picked up the Silver and Bronze Stars respectively.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Really, a company that creates augmented reality content for theatrical release movies has hired veteran media executive Peter Gaida as its chief commercial officer in Asia Pacific. The appointment is part of a wider expansion into Asia by the AR company. Founded by media entrepreneur James Andrew Felts in 2017, Really creates “highly functional, large-scale AR content” that it delivers weekly.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief It seems Hollywood’s “sequel-itis” has reached China’s box office too. Despite the country’s dramatic overnight removal of COVID restrictions in December 2022 and film imports quickly restarting with the triumphant debut of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” Hollywood’s new normal in the Middle Kingdom bears little resemblance to its pre-pandemic status. During the three-year disruption of 2020-22, caused by the pandemic and soured U.S.-China diplomatic relations, few Hollywood films — and no Marvel titles — made their way onto Chinese screens. But if Hollywood studios read the $240 million-grossing “Avatar 2” feeding frenzy as a sign that pent-up Chinese demand for their sequels and superheroes slate might continue throughout 2023, they were sorely disappointed. In the world’s second-largest box office territory, with a cume to date of $7.3 billion, the market share for all imported films in China has crashed, standing at less than 15% at the beginning of December. Hollywood films’ share is just 12%, consultancy Artisan Gateway calculates. This month, “Napoleon” and “Wonka” have continued the trend of dismal flops, with $5 million and $3 million opening weekends, respectively. The slump is particularly disappointing given that the Chinese authorities that carefully control the film industry have this year made several moves designed to put Hollywood releasing back on the rails.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Production is underway on “Kangaroo Island,” the feature film debut from Australian director Tim Piper and screenwriter Sally Gifford. The family relationship drama-comedy centers around a struggling Hollywood actress forced to reunite with her sister as part of her father’s last wishes. It stars Rebecca Breeds (“Clarice,” “CAUGH*T”), Erik Thomson (“Aftertaste,” “Black Snow”), Adelaide Clemens (“Justified: City Primeval,” “Under The Banner of Heaven”) and Joel Jackson (“Mystery Road,” “Safe Harbour”).

Millie Bobby Brown‘s new movie has a release date! – Just Jared Jr Find out why Panera is being sued – Celebitchy Are you in on the latest nail trend in Hollywood? – Popsugar Did you see who Olivia Rodrigo is dating? – Just Jared Jr

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Iconic, multi-Oscar-winning film “La La Land” is headed back to mainland Chinese cinemas in sessions that dance off on Dec. 22. The worldwide release is overseen by Lionsgate release, while the China re-release is to be piloted by local distributor JL Film.

Kurt Russell and his son Wyatt are stepping out to promote their new Apple TV+ series.

The third annual Red Sea Film Festival handed out its Yusr Awards on Thursday night, with Zarrar Kahn’s In Flames taking Best Feature and Farah Nabulsi’s The Teacher scoring a pair of wins including Best Actor for Saleh Bakri. See the full list below.

Andrew Garfield shared insights into his early days in Hollywood, experiences working on the Spider-Man franchise and thoughts about Red Sea International Festival Festival during his masterclass at the festival today. 

EXCLUSIVE: Sean Penn-starring Ukrainian anthology movie War Through the Eyes of Animals has wrapped shooting in LA and more details have emerged about Penn’s involvement.

at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards Tuesday.The “On the 6” singer got candid about her next feature and opened about working with the Oscar winner.“This project was something I didn’t really plan,” she told Entertainment Tonight, also noting how the work is deeply personal to her.Lopez explained: “When the music was done I just thought to myself, ‘There’s more of a story to be told here. There’s been a bigger journey than just a love story here.'”“And so it became a much bigger, fuller project, with an incredible message,” the “Maid in Manhattan” star added. “And I realized I had to really get personal to tell it.”Affleck and Lopez even showed off their massive love at the event, sharing some kisses on the red carpet.

MBC Studios is developing a series adaptation of popular Saudi writer Osamah Almuslim’s best-selling debut horror novel Khawf (Fear).

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Singapore actor and filmmaker Alaric Tay (“Zombiepura”), through his Very Tay Media company has joined forces with two Philippines companies Black Ops Studios Asia and PsyOps Studios to produce a slate of films aimed at international markets. The venture, that was facilitated by Hong Kong-based producer Mike Leeder, was announced on the eve of the Asia Television Forum (ATF) in Singapore. They aim to put together a combined slate across diverse genres, including action, sci-fi, horror and comedy and have suggested a timeline extending to the fourth quarter of 2026. The joint venture also includes partnerships with other Asian companies including Screen Ops (HK), Fly Entertainment, Causeway Media Productions and IAmCasting. “Singapore and the Philippines have the individual potential to execute projects with commercial appeal,” said Tay. “But by building stories together with like-minded visionaries beyond our own shores, we can elevate the types of projects that are being produced in our collective countries.” Tay was the star and executive producer of 2018 Singapore zombie movie “Zombiepura.” He was also co-producer and director of HBO Asia’s first comedy drama series “SeNT” and is best known for playing multiple characters on Mediacorp satirical series “The Noose.” Headed by director Pedring Lopez and producer Rex Lopez, Black Ops Studios Asia and PsyOps Studios focus on action films and series.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief France-based multinational Studiocanal has launched Cultivator Films to facilitate local co-productions in Australia and will kick off with book-to-film adaptation “Kangaroo.” “Kangaroo” is scripted by Harry Cripps (“The Dry,” “Penguin Bloom”) and directed by Kate Woods (“The Lincoln Lawyer,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “The Good Lord Bird,” “Looking for Alibrandi”). Eastern Arrernte emerging director Samantha Laughton is set as a director’s attachment. Slated to start production in Alice Springs in the first half of 2024, “Kangaroo” is a Northern Territory-inspired story based on Chris Barnes, aka ‘Brolga,’ who is the founder of the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs. Cultivator Films Australia is led by Studiocanal’s Australia and New Zealand CEO Elizabeth Trotman.

a recent interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace, Adam Driver was asked about the fact that he doesn’t “look like the typical movie star” — and whether that’s helped or hindered his career in Hollywood. The “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” actor, 40, seemed taken aback by the turn the interview took, but he replied, “I look how I look.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Negotiations are under way to secure a December or more likely an early January release for Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” movie in mainland China cinemas. The film, which has grossed some $250 million worldwide since debuting on Oct. 13, is currently being reviewed by Chinese authorities.

Netflix's Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor looked stunning as she attended the Women in Film 50th annual gala in Los Angeles last night (Thursday 30 November).The actress, who is daughter of Coronation Street icon Sally Dynevor, donned an all-black ensemble consisting of an oversized blazer, a crop top and a maxi skirt with a slit up the middle. Phoebe, 28, showcased her incredible figure and paired her look with stylish black stiletto heels and a simple clutch bag.The actress kept accessories to a minimum and opted for loose waves and a berry lip for subdued make-up.