Get ready for a year of sequels and remakes that will hopefully bring some excitement and anticipation to Cinema goers.
Industry insiders are already placing their bets on potential Oscar contenders, creating a sense of anticipation and speculation. With a diverse range of genres and talents set to grace the silver screen, the coming year promises to be a cinematic journey like no other.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
The first instalments day-and-date release on HBO Max initially put this sequel into question, but WB thankfully saw fit to give Denis Villeneuve the green light. Part Two sees big names like Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken join the cast as Villeneuve tells the second half of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel.
Kung Fu Panda 4
DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda series is quietly incredible, taking what could have been a silly premise (Jack Black voices a fat panda who does martial arts) and turning it into something funny, heartfelt, and full of impressive fight scenes. At CinemaCon 2023, we learned that Mike Mitchell (Trolls, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part) would be directing the film, and that the story would follow Po as he faces off against a chameleon foe and searches for a new Dragon Warrior.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
We don’t have a lot of confirmed details about this sequel, except that director Jason Reitman has been replaced by Gil Kenan (Monster House, Poltergeist 2015), who co-wrote Afterlife. We also know that stars Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, and Paul Rudd are returning, joined by names like Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt. And lastly, we also know that the film’s setting will indeed be New York and the firehouse from the original films, which was teased at the end of Afterlife.
Deadpool 3
Is there a better action director than David Leitch these days? Leitch, a former stuntman who previously helmed John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Hobbs & Shaw, is tackling a film adaptation of an ‘80s TV show about a stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. Sounds right up his alley. Ryan Gosling will play the lead alongside Emily Blunt.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Director Todd Phillips helms this follow-up to the wildly successful R-rated take on the iconic Batman villain that earned Joaquin Phoenix the Oscar for Best Actor. In Folie à Deux, he’ll be joined by Lady Gaga, who is playing his love interest (it’s complicated) Harley Quinn, and the film will reportedly be a musical.
Gladiator 2
Ridley Scott returns to direct this sequel to the historical epic Gladiator. The story will reportedly revolve around a grown-up Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), who has become emperor, and will see the return of Connie Nielsen as Lucilla.
Wicked Part 1
The legendary Broadway musical that tells the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West from a different perspective is getting a two-part film adaptation. Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) will take audiences to Oz, while Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Anya Taylor-Joy will play a younger version of the war rig-driving badass Imperator Furiosa in this prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, one of the best films of the century so far. George Miller will, naturally, direct once more, and Chris Hemsworth will co-star in the movie, which tells the tale of Furiosa’s kidnapping and her rise through Immortan Joe’s ranks.
Trump and Xi to meet at APEC, seeking to ease trade tensions and revive dialogue amid tariff threats.
President Trump and President Xi Jinping will meet for the first time in six years at the APEC summit, aiming to ease trade tensions and revive dialogue amid tariff threats.
In Short:
– Trump will meet Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea later this month amid trade tensions.
– China has reshuffled its trade team, appointing Li Yongjie as the new WTO representative.
President Donald Trump confirmed he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this month in South Korea.
It marks their first face-to-face encounter in six years amid ongoing trade tensions.Trump expressed hope about achieving a “fantastic deal,” despite escalating disputes. He is prepared to impose significant tariffs on Chinese imports if no agreement is reached. Current U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods average 55%, with a potential increase to 155% looming.
Trump mentioned that he believes an excellent trade deal would benefit the U.S., China and the global economy. He acknowledged the importance of the negotiations, stating that China respects the U.S. but is always seeking advantages in trade.
China’s Trade Reshuffle
China has reshuffled its trade negotiation team. Li Chenggang has been removed from his position as the representative to the World Trade Organization, while retaining his role as vice minister of commerce. This change aligns with Beijing’s strategy to adjust its trade diplomacy amid tensions.
Li Yongjie has been appointed as the new WTO representative. This team transition comes after scrutiny from U.S. officials and reflects China’s commitment to recalibrating its approach within the ongoing trade discussions.
The upcoming APEC summit will gather leaders from 21 economies, representing a significant portion of global GDP. It serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue, despite the backdrop of intensified trade negotiations.