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We don’t have a lot of confirmed details about this sequel, except that director Jason Reitman has been replaced by Gil Kenan (Monster House, Poltergeist 2015), who co-wrote Afterlife.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.
NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned a recent anti-Semitic attack in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where cars were set on fire and properties were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti.
Emergency services received reports of a car fire on Magney Street in Woollahra early Wednesday morning. Fire & Rescue NSW extinguished the fire, but multiple cars and buildings suffered vandalism.
Graffiti with messages like “Kill Israel” was found on walls. A crime scene has been established, and an investigation is underway. Police are looking to speak with two suspects aged 15 to 20, who were in the area at the time of the incident.
It’s just out of control!
Days after firebombing of Synagogue in Melbourne, now more #antisemitism in #Australia, this time in my former hometown of Sydney, with cars set alight and multiple homes vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti, in the strongly Jewish suburb of Woollahra. pic.twitter.com/gCdCrlSlXU
Minns described the attack as “shocking” and stated, “This is not the Sydney we want.” He emphasized that such racist acts aimed at dividing the community would not succeed.
He plans to consult with police about the investigation, assuring the public that those responsible will face justice.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park also denounced the incident, calling it offensive and concerning.
It follows a similar act of vandalism in November, where cars were spray-painted with phrases like “f**k Israel.” Various buildings, including the Chiswick restaurant, were also targeted in that incident.
A 26-year-old man, Luigi Mangione, is fighting extradition to New York to face murder charges for the shooting of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson.
Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt and denied bail for the second time.
During a court appearance, he made a statement directed at reporters, though its meaning was unclear.
Legal experts believe Mangione’s fight against extradition could prolong the process, but success is unlikely.
Authorities are investigating whether he acted alone or had assistance leading up to the shooting.
Mangione was recognized at a McDonald’s by an employee and was found with a firearm, clothing, and fake IDs matching the shooter’s description.
Weapon possession
He has been charged with gun and forgery offenses in Pennsylvania, in addition to murder and weapon possession charges in New York.
Investigators are still determining the motive behind Thompson’s targeted killing. It was revealed that Mangione had chronic back pain and previously worked as a data engineer.
His family expressed shock and devastation over his arrest and offered condolences to Thompson’s family.
Thompson, a father of two, had been the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit since 2021 and was in New York for a company event. The incident has heightened frustrations concerning healthcare access and insurance issues in the U.S.
Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change the family trust to consolidate control under his son Lachlan has been rejected by a Nevada commissioner.
The ruling, made by Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr., stated that Murdoch and Lachlan acted in “bad faith” while trying to amend the irrevocable trust, which divides control equally among Murdoch’s four oldest children.
The 96-page opinion characterised the plan as a “carefully crafted charade” intended to secure Lachlan’s executive roles unconditionally.
Murdoch’s lawyer expressed disappointment and plans to appeal the ruling.
FILE PHOTO: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch poses for a photograph with his sons Lachlan and James in London.
Media empire
This dispute is critical as it affects the future control of Murdoch’s media empire, which includes Fox News and other major outlets.
While the intention was not to diminish financial stakes, the ruling reflects deep family tensions, especially given differing political views among the siblings.
The commissioner noted Lachlan initiated the proposed changes, created a plan dubbed “Project Family Harmony,” and labeled James as a “troublesome beneficiary.”
Despite Lachlan and Rupert’s efforts, the attempt to marginalise James was deemed insufficiently justified by the court.
Murdoch’s family trust, established in 2006, retains his control until his death, and includes provisions allowing amendments.
However, the commissioner found that Murdoch and Lachlan’s actions were not supporting their siblings’ best interests.
The ruling is not final and may be contested further in court.