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We don’t have a lot of confirmed details about this sequel, except that director Jason Reitman has been replaced by Gil Kenan (Monster House, Poltergeist 2015), who co-wrote Afterlife.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.
Tasmania joins AFL with the Tassie Devils set for 2028; legislation passed for Macquarie Point stadium.
Tasmania is officially joining the AFL! After a marathon debate, the Legislative Council has passed the Macquarie Point stadium-precinct legislation 9-5. This milestone paves the way for the Tassie Devils Football Club to join the AFL in 2028, marking a historic moment for Tasmanian sport.
In an exclusive segment of Footynomics: The Business of Sport, Professor Tim Harcourt discusses the significance of this legislation, the social and economic impact of a new AFL team, and why this process took longer than expected.
We also explore what comes next for Tasmania, the AFL, and the broader implications for sports both in Australia and internationally.
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Australian dollar hits five-week high amid soft US dollar, traders eye RBA policies and Fed meeting impacts.
The Australian dollar has surged to a five-week high as disappointing GDP data and a softer US dollar reshape trader expectations. Market participants are closely watching the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next policy meeting to gauge future interest rate decisions.
We sit down with Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX to break down what these developments mean for the Australian economy and global markets. From Q3 growth figures to inflation indicators, Steve explains the key drivers behind the Aussie dollar’s recent gains.
Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, as a weaker US dollar could have further implications for the Australian currency. Stay informed with expert insights and what to expect in the weeks ahead.
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EU probes Meta’s WhatsApp AI chatbot policy for potential antitrust violations affecting third-party developers and competition.
The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Meta over WhatsApp’s new AI chatbot policy. The inquiry examines whether the policy restricts third-party AI developers from accessing WhatsApp’s business tools, potentially breaching EU competition rules.
Meta updated its terms, effective January 2026, which have already barred new AI providers since October 15. The rules prohibit AI developers from using WhatsApp as their primary service, affecting a number of AI companies looking to integrate with the platform.
The EU’s competition commissioner is considering interim measures to ensure fair competition. If Meta is found in violation, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
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