X Japan’s Yoshiki to compose official theme song for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary

EXCLUSIVE: Improv icon Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is it Anyway?) will narrate a Canadian version of the eye-opening but heartwarming Japanese format Old Enough!, in which kids run errands on their own.

Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer has set a cinematic release date in Japan, despite public criticism surrounding the sensitive subject matter of the film.The Cillian Murphy-led biopic is controversial in Japan, where two atomic bombs were detonated in 1945, killing hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens.The film was released in most territories in July by Universal and went on to gross over $950million at the global box office. But Toho-Towa, which handles most Universal titles in Japan, did not release the film.However, in December it was reported that indie film distributor Bitters End would give the movie a theatrical release in the country.

UPDATE: Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer now has an official release date in Japan, with Universal’s local distribution partner Bitters End setting March 29 for the film to open in cinemas there.

A man who deliberately set fire to a three-story animation studio in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 2019, killing 36 people, has been sentenced to death for mass murder.

Legend Of Zelda theme park could be in the works after producer Eiji Aonuma was spotted in a behind-the-scenes video at Orlando’s Universal Studios.As it stands, the Mario-themed Super Nintendo World is open at both Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood, with further areas planned for Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Orlando Resort. A Donkey Kong expansion is also being built at Japan, but this new clip has fans thinking a Zelda world is on the cards.The video in question was released by Universal in an attempt to show the public what everyday life was like at its parks for employees, as well as teasing what the future had to offer.

While in England, German director Wim Wenders was sandwiched between a press tour and a brief lunch when a member of his team walked into the restaurant to secretly signal across the room that he was nominated for his first feature film Oscar with Japan’s Best International Feature Film, Perfect Days. “Someone came in raising their thumb, which was the sign that we had agreed on, and no word was spoken because there were too many guests in the restaurant,” Wenders laughed while retelling the Tuesday nomination. “So, I knew then I could let that meal go a little cold. It was lovely because I had prepared myself to not expect anything. I had completely prepared myself to not be on the list so that I wouldn’t be disappointed. So [this nomination] was quite a surprise today.”

Robert Downey Jr. has claimed that the runaway success of Oppenheimer has become “a terrible tragedy” for its introverted director Christopher Nolan.Downey made the comments while presenting Nolan with the inaugural Trailblazer Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Utah, an honour which recognises the director’s contributions to independent filmmaking.“Confidentially, he needs his spirits lifted,” Downey joked.

Marta Balaga Thea Hvistendahl’s “Handling the Undead,” fresh off its Sundance premiere, has already scared multiple buyers into submission, Variety has found out exclusively. Starring “The Worst Person in the World’s” Renate Reinsve and sold by TrustNordisk, it has been picked up by Hungary (Vertigo Media), Benelux (September Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), France (KinoVista), Spain (Avalon Distribution), Korea (Pancinema), Japan (Tohokushinsha Film Corp.), Taiwan (Swallow Wings Films) and ANZ (Signature Entertainment). Neon Rated acquired North American and U.K.

CHAI have announced that they’ll be breaking up following their current live tour.Formed in 2012, the Nagoya group – comprising vocalists Mana, Kana, Yuuki and Yuna – released four studio albums throughout their career: ‘Pink’ (2017), ‘Punk’ (2019), ‘ Wink’ (2021) and ‘CHAI’ (2023).CHAI are set to head out on the road next Sunday (January 28) for the Japanese leg of their ongoing ‘We The CHAI Tour!’, which is scheduled to conclude on March 12. See the full list of shows here .Taking to social media today (January 18), the band revealed that they will go their separate ways after completing the planned gigs.“First of all, we want to thank everyone for all of the support you give us! We are sad to let you know that, following our upcoming Japan tour, CHAI will eternalize NEO KAWAII (=parting ways as a band),” they I wrote in a statement.“To continue our journey of self-love, as CHAI have always said, and to continue to fulfill our own personal visions, we have decided to go our separate ways.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Leading Asian film directors including Josh Kim, Fukada Koji and Patiparn Boontarig line up to pitch their in-development projects at the March edition of the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). Leading directors Wang Xiaoshuai and Zhang Lu will also be on the ground at HAF, operating as producers. So too will established producers Yamamoto Teruhisa (“Drive My Car”) and Michael J.

The move in recent years to make the Oscars a truly global event in terms of the membership drive by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has paid off particularly well this year: Eligible voters from a record 93 countries submitting ballots in the Academy Awards’ nominating round, which ended Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT.

Twelve familiar faces will be skating onto our screens as Dancing on Ice returns for its sixteenth edition. The celebrities will team up with a professional partner to perfect and show off their dancing skills - while donning a pair of skates on an ice rink.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief French cinema icon Catherine Deneuve has begun filming in Japan of “Spirit World,” a fantasy-drama film directed by Singapore’s Eric Khoo. Deneuve portrays a singer who dies suddenly while on tour in Japan. But her spirit lives on and she embarks on a journey to find humanity in the after-world.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The Berlin Film Festival, which runs Feb. 15-25, has revealed the lineup of its Berlinale Co-Production Market.

She may have hid her expanding bump underneath a black hoodie and dark leggings but a grinning Fleur East was absolutely glowing as she was seen in London for the first time, following a sun-soaked holiday with her husband Marcel Robin.The singer, co-host since 2023 of Strictly: It Takes Two with Janette Manrara, announced she was expecting her first child with Marcel, a French fashion designer and star stylist, on Instagram on New Year’s Day, with a sweet caption, which read: '2024 is gonna be different.' Fleur’s relaxed, low-key look was completed with a pair of white trainers, a padded jacket and a scarf - not surprising, given the chill currently bracing the capital. The blooming 36 year old radio DJ, who reached the final of X Factor in 2014 and was also a campmate on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, had previously given fans a first glimpse of her growing bump as she posed by the pool with a delighted Marcel on holiday, in a sleeveless vest and mustard cargo trousers.

While filmmaker Michael Mann helped “Tokyo Vice” get on its feet and gave the show its cinematic grammar, the series was always the creation of writer/showrunner and Tony Award winner J.T. Rogers.

Jaden Thompson Max has released the trailer for Season 2 of its original crime drama series “Tokyo Vice,” which will premiere on the streamer on Feb. 8 with the release of two episodes. Subsequently, one episode will debut every week for eight weeks.

Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track… So, we’re going to do the hard work for you.

John Mayer has spoken out about his desire to get married.The musician made an appearance on podcast Comfort Food, hosted by the late Bob Saget’s wife Kelly Rizzo, where he spoke about his hopes for his love life.“People don’t think I want to be married. I absolutely want to be married,” he said.He continued to call himself “actually fairly well-adjusted,” saying: “I so badly want to get married if only for my wife to just know in her heart, like, ‘John will know what to do.’ I just think that level of being relied on is the hottest thing in the world to me.

The Traitors has officially returned to TV screens for a second series, and with it comes the return of host Claudia Winkleman and her impeccable style choices. But the presenter, who is instantly recognisable for her iconic heavy black fringe and dark eyeliner, has already had an expensive wardrobe for the first three episodes, reportedly worth a staggering £8,000. While Claudia, 51, nails her countryside chic style for the Bafta-winning BBC reality game show about treachery and loyalty, it doesn't come cheap and one of her eye-catching coats from the show has a £749 price tag.