'The Incredibles 3' Finds Its Director; Andy Serkis Provides Detailed Update On 'Gollum' Movie
From exciting and even shocking updates about the first family of cartoon superheroes, to never-before-told stories about everyone's favourite fictional halfling – get it all here!
Peter Sohn To Direct 'The Incredibles 3'
Yup, you read the subheading right, folks! The beloved superhero family is back for a third installment, this time with the critically acclaimed director Peter Sohn (known for his work on 'Elemental' and 'The Good Dinosaur').
The series follows Bob and Helen Parr, former superheroes who are forced into retirement due to a government mandate. They decide to live their lives out quietly in the suburbs with their three kids. However, when they discover a conspiracy of global domination, the whole family springs into action to save the day.
The film franchise is one of the more famous creations of the legendary filmmaker and animator Brad Bird, who wrote the screenplay for and directed the first two installments. The first, which was released all the way back in 2004, won an Academy Award for best animated film in 2005, while its sequel, which was released 14 years later, grossed US$1.4 billion globally. It was easily one of the most highly anticipated and successful sequels released by Disney, thanks in large part to the film's adoring fanbase.
Of course, not wanting to make fans wait any longer, Disney officially announced a third film during the D23 Expo back in August of last year. At the time, it was largely known that Bird was 'developing' the project. No additional information was provided, and many were quick to assume that he would handle the creation of this film, as he is well known for taking a more hands-on approach in directing. Hence, it was a big surprise that Sohn will be taking over the director's seat. The likely reason why Bird won't be handling this installment is because of his schedule, as he is already in the pre-production phase with Skydance for their upcoming animated feature 'Ray Gunn'.
However, if this change of hands worries you, it shouldn't. The two have worked together extensively, including on the first two 'Incredibles' movies. Bird has directly mentored Sohn in helping him become the director that he is today and was even handpicked by Bird and Pixar CEO Pete Docter to carry on this upcoming chapter for the superhero family. The famed director may not be taking on the reins this time around, but we can rest assured knowing that the film is in good hands!
Andy Serkis Shares Updates On 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum'
Ever since 'Lord of the Rings' it was releaved that Andy Serkis, the actor for Gollum, is bringing a new chapter of the beloved fantasy novel to the silver screen, fans have been living! And why wouldn't they? One of the original cast members returning not only to reprise his iconic role, but also to the director's seat? Yes, please!
For those who are unfamiliar with this hidden chapter in Tolkien's works, it takes place between 'The Hobbit' and 'The Fellowship of the Ring', exploring where the titular character was before he was ultimately apprehended by Sauron's forces and then, later, bumped into Sam and Frodo. And for those concerned whether or not it is canonical to Tolkien's actual work, it is; the legendary author has several information-packed appendices that detail the adventures and plights of the fallen hobbit as he searches for his precious.
In an interview with Collider, Serkis revealed that the film has already entered the early stages of production. Furthermore, he also shared that shooting can take place, most likely, 'in the early to mid-part of next year'. Additionally, the legendary actor has explained that this is a 'sizeable movie', much like the original Peter Jackson trilogy, but he's excited to get to work all the same.
'I'm incredibly excited to go back and work with my friends and family in New Zealand and actually do something which is, I think, going to be surprising, and yet very much part of the lore and the feel of the trilogy. The sensibility of it will feel, I think, close to that, and yet we're investigating in greater depth the character formerly known as Smeagol, but mostly known as Gollum.'
Though the project has been delayed by a year, the team are still eager to get to work to bring 'The Hunt for Gollum' to life. Not only that, but Serkis has also promised to give the film a Peter Jackson-level of polish, ensuring that it remains cohesive with the trilogy that we know and love. Of course, with such high promise, we can usually expect a one- to two-year turnover period, especially for a blockbuster film. But much like the LOTR crew, we are all excited for the finished product that is set to hit theatres in December 2027.
Sources: Variety, Collider, The Hollywood Reporter
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The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
This university embraces the magic of Walt Disney on campus
Just a few miles from Disneyland, Chapman University and its students have built a connection to Disney that runs deep. Not only do students plan trips to Disneyland during weekdays, after work or on a weekend, but the university embraces the magic of Walt Disney on campus, too. Located in Orange, California, the United States - and so close to Disneyland that the nightly firework displays are visible from campus - Chapman University plans annual student trips to the park, hosts Disney exhibitions and is the home of first Disney president Jack Lindquist's memorabilia collection. Some professors incorporate Disney into classes; and now, the university is considering a Walt Disney academic programme. "One reason why I picked Chapman is kind of how close it was to Disney. And because we are so close, there's so many people that love it and just want to go all the time," said Becca Grae, student and director of communications and marketing at Club 55. Visitors to Disneyland walk up Main Street USA just after the gates opened in Anaheim, California, on April 30, 2021. — JEFF GRITCHEN/Orange County Register/ZUMA/dpa Grae, who has an annual pass, added that she just went to the park "literally this morning". Founded in 2013, the Disney-focused student organisation Club 55 takes its name from Club 33, the private Disneyland club. Fifty-five is a reference to the year Disneyland opened. Club 55 is one of the largest clubs at Chapman. Members often compete in games for prizes and host get-togethers at Downtown Disney. Upon joining, members take a Disney-themed personality test. They're asked questions like which Disney hero they'd like to meet most and which Pixar film deserves a sequel. Students cross the Bert Williams Mall in front of Memorial Hall at Chapman University. The quiz, like a Hogwarts sorting hat, assigns each member to a "land", which they'll be a part of for the semester. Fantasyland usually has the most people. "Our club is really well known since we're so close to Disney and everything. Everyone's pretty excited about it," Amy Walker, student and president of Club 55, said. "I feel like it's nice for students to have a break from their studying to get to escape to Disney magic." They say many Chapman students have annual passes, regardless if they are Club 55 members or not, and a lot of students work at the parks. "Two people on the [Club 55] board actually do work at the park. One works for Guardians, and one works for the Ferris wheel," said Grae. Chapman University plans annual student trips to the park, hosts Disney exhibitions and is the home of first Disney president Jack Lindquist's memorabilia collection. The proximity to the theme parks is not lost on prospective students who are considering attending Chapman. Although Disneyland is not part of any formal presentations at new-student events, parents and students often bring it up. "I can't recall doing a session where a question about Disney has not come up," Chris Hutchison, associate vice president and associate dean of students at Chapman University, said. "'Do students get annual passes?' 'Do students go to Disneyland?' 'Is this something that I could get a job at?' Those kinds of questions, either by parents or students or prospective students themselves." Disneyland Resort is Orange County's largest employer, generating US$16bil (RM67.7bil) in total economic activity in 2023 and creating 74,000 direct and indirect jobs in the county. Hutchison said internships and jobs at Disney are popular with students, especially those in majors related to performing arts. "It is definitely a presence for those who are looking for it, and I think even for those who don't necessarily come in seeking that proximity or closeness with Disney. But the energy, I think, is hard to ignore," Hutchison said. Last year, Chapman University appointed presidential fellow Jeff Kurtti, a prolific Disney author and Walt Disney historian, to look into the feasibility of a Walt Disney studies programme at the university. Kurtti said his greatest fear was that faculty would "turn up their noses and go, 'This is a stupid waste of time'", but he said it's been the complete opposite. "I think the simplest analogy is every tertiary education institution in the world has some kind of Shakespeare studies. You can get a PhD in Shakespeare," Kurtti said, adding that Shakespeare's body of work is much smaller than Walt Disney's. "But there's no serious academic or scholarly attention paid to Walt Disney and who he was and what he did and how that influenced culture and society and technology and the world," he added. "And within Chapman, you have a great many faculty and administration people who are actually just Disney fans." Kurtti said the aim would initially be to create an academic minor and then build a curriculum crossing different disciplines, from film to communications and engineering to entertainment law, and there wouldn't be another programme like it in the nation. As part of the fellowship, he's held four speaker events to gauge types of courses that could be created, and they drew hundreds in attendance. The president will ultimately decide whether to move forward with the academic programme, and Kurtti says that decision could come as early as the end of this summer. Kurtti sees great potential for the programme at Chapman, with the parks, studios and other Disney creative hubs nearby. He also said Chapman's vibe corresponds well with Disney. "I think it's interesting: the location within Orange County and the adjacency of Disneyland, the culture of Chapman and the culture of Disney, and I mean, the sheer number of fan people that exist at Chapman, from students to faculty to administration," he said. "It was surprising to me." – By CHRISTINE HITT/dpa
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Rajnikanth is back with a bang with 'Coolie' and hand it to the superstar to lift the Tamil movie-world out of its doldrums
It has been bad times for the Tamil movie industry of late. But leave it to Tamil movie's super ace, Rajnikanth, dubbed as 'The Superstar' by his fans, to save them yet again. The Tamil movie industry, known as Kollywood, had one of its worst years in 2024, with a jaw-dropping amount of money being lost on big-budget blockbusters that were also rejected by audiences worldwide. Although there were a few successes, like "Amaran and Maharaja", 2024, just as it has been seen in recent years, was dominated by expensive flops headlined by big-name stars that didn't live up to expectations. There has been no difference for the first half of 2025. Aijth's "Vidaamuyarchi", Kamal Haasan's "Thug Life", Dhanush's "Kubeera" and Vijay Sethupathi's "Ace" all just tumbled and bombed at the box-office. Even Surya's "Retro" and Ajith's "Good, Bad, Ugly", although these movies did well enough to recover the funds, they did not set the box office on fire. And then came the superstar. Despite some setbacks with last year's "Vettaiyan", 'The Superstar' is raging fire again with the all-out action revenge, high-octane drama 'Coolie' directed by the current Tamil movies 'It' director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Produced by Kalanithi Maran, besides Rajnikanth, the film stars Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan. The ever-elegant Pooja Hegde also makes a guest appearance for the hot song "Monica", which is currently the No. 1 single in India and also extremely popular with Tamil song fans in Malaysia. The movie has debuted to an extraordinary US$3.04 million (RM13.45 million) on opening day collection across North American theatres. This makes Coolie the highest-grossing Tamil film for premiere day earnings in the region—a milestone that cements Rajinikanth's enduring global appeal and the film's immense hype. The film's record-breaking figures didn't come as a surprise to trade analysts. Weeks before its release, Coolie had already sold over 100 crore worth of advance tickets globally, becoming the fastest Tamil film to cross the US$3 million mark in the USA. According to distribution insiders and box office trackers, the numbers reflect not only Rajinikanth's star power but also the magnetic appeal of director Lokesh Kanagaraj's storytelling. According to the trade website, Coolie earned Indian rupees 65 crores (RM32 million) in India on day one (Aug 14), which itself gives Rajinikanth his career-best opening day performance in India. Already, some film world experts are stating that the movie can go as far as hitting the magic mark of 1,000 crores (RM495 million) magic mark and join the company of top movies such as "Bahubaali and Jawan". And this achievement comes at the very right time, as the "Coolie" movie is also in conjunction with Rajnikanth's 50th year of acting in the Indian film industry. 50 years of wooing with fans with his excellence and five decades of becoming an actor of family dramas, action hero, brilliant actor, character actor, and of course, given the title of "The Superstar". In short, Rajnikanth is not an actor but an institution in the Indian movie world. Being an actor for just several movies is an accomplishment by itself, but being at the top of the game for 50 years is more than success; it is being just incredibly special, where none match your successes. Indeed, longevity in show business, in any kind of show business, be it Hollywood or K-Movie-dom, this is indeed an unforgettable milestone. After five decades and 170 films on, Rajinikanth's new film celebrates his journey with a story that, in parts, mirrors his own life. 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The movie in Malaysia also got off to a blast on Thursday (Aug 14). The distribution rights for 'Coolie' in Malaysia were won by Malik Streams Corporation. The movie distributor also recently held a major party at the TGV Cinemas in Bukit Jalil to celebrate the opening of the movie with invited guests and friends. Shows were seen exclusively at TGV cinemas and almost every show from 8am onwards was packed almost to the brim. Some TGV cinemas in the country were even seen showing the movies at several cinema halls at the same. The box office collection may hit records in Malaysia, but that remains to be seen in the days to come. In Malaysia, the highest-grossing foreign film at the box office is Avengers: Endgame, which earned RM79 million. It surpassed the previous record held by Avengers: Infinity War, which recorded almost RM70 million at the box office. The synopsis is from Times of India The Plot: Deva, aka Devaraj (Rajinikanth), is the charismatic owner of Deva Mansion, a haven where students can stay at discounted rates. When his close friend Rajshekhar (Sathyaraj) suddenly dies of a cardiac arrest, Deva stumbles upon the original death certificate — and the truth is far from natural. It reveals his friend died from an injury, not illness. Determined to uncover the killer, Deva infiltrates a smuggling ring in Visakhapatnam. But in chasing justice, he inadvertently unlocks a hidden chapter of his own past — one filled with secrets, unfinished business, and dangerous loose ends that demand closure. Review: The film opens at a bustling port in Vizag, where Kingpin Simon (Nagarjuna) and his aide Dayal (Soubin Shahir) run an illegal operation. After a police diktat stops them from disposing of bodies at sea, they turn to Rajshekhar (Sathyaraj), a former labourer who has invented a chair capable of cremating bodies instantly, leaving only ashes. Originally discarded by the government for its dangerous potential, the invention now falls into the wrong hands. When Rajshekhar is killed, his longtime friend Deva (Rajinikanth), who had been working in the background, steps into the fray. What begins as a mission to uncover his friend's murderer soon unravels secrets from Deva's own past, tying old loose ends to the present conflict. The first half of Coolie leans heavily into fan service — complete with songs, dances, punch dialogues, and a fair share of swagger. While it slows the film's momentum and spends a bit too long introducing characters who could have been set up more briskly, the second half is where Lokesh really gets cooking and serves up a treat. Multiple cameos here not only land perfectly but also add real weight to the story, with well-timed twists keeping the audience hooked. Despite its extended runtime, Coolie roars as a tribute to Rajinikanth's legacy — brimming with energy, nostalgia, and unfiltered mass appeal. Learning from the pacing missteps of his last outing, director Lokesh Kanagaraj crafts a tighter, more impactful second half, putting his pan-India stars to good use with well-etched, purposeful characters. Nagarjuna, as drug lord Simon, embraces his villainy with calculated finesse, while Soubin Shahir proves to be another inspired casting choice whose screen presence lingers. Rachita Ram's surprise role emerges as the scene-stealer — effortlessly commanding the frame and delivering one of the smoothest, most organic action sequences in the film. Upendra exudes effortless swagger as Rajini's silent yet formidable right-hand man, matching the superstar's presence blow for blow in the high-octane set pieces. Rajinikanth, of course, delivers exactly what fans crave — charisma, style, and a commanding screen presence that feels effortless. The flashback portions, especially the Rajini–Sathyaraj sequences, are a treat, as the two icons come together on screen after 40 years. Sathyaraj and Shruti Haasan bring solid support, never tipping into excess, while the mass appeal and emotional beats keep the second half gripping, with well-timed outbursts landing just right. The de-aging of Rajinikanth is pure mass — seamlessly done, it adds a nostalgic punch. Even hindi superstar Aamir Khan's cameo is smartly placed, adding intrigue without feeling forced. In short: It was amazing to see fans from all races in Malaysia getting excited about the movie. Chinese and Malay friends of this writer had already watched the movie when writing this review. So just go and watch the movie, enjoy the mass entertainer at his usual very best, and get blown out of your mind with the action scenes.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Singapore Tourism Board and top entertainment company Blast sign multi-year deal to host premier esports arena events
(from left to right) KuyaNic (SEA's #1 Dota Caster), Dota legends iceiceice (Singapore's most well-known Dota player), Jean Ng (Assistant Chief Executive from Singapore Tourism Board), Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer from Blast, and Jarrold Tham (CFO and Co-Founder of TALON )celebrate at the Blast Dota Slam Singapore event at the Chijmes lawn ahead of night projection event. -- Photo: MILES GROUP SINGAPORE: Competitive entertainment company Blast has announced a landmark multi-year partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to host four world-class arena esports events in Singapore over the coming years. This deal further highlights Singapore's growing status as a premier destination for competitive gaming and live entertainment in Asia and globally. The announcement follows the sellout success of the Blast Premier World Final in 2024, which marked its debut in South-East Asia and saw a sold-out Resorts World Convention Centre witness the best Counter-Strike teams in the world battle for a US$1 million (RM4.2 million) prize pool. Building on this momentum, Blast is set to return to Singapore this November for the Blast Dota Slam Singapore, the company's first-ever Dota 2 arena event. Taking place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from November 7-9, this tournament sets the stage for the newly signed multi-year partnership, which will bring four more premier esports arena events to Singapore after November's Dota tournament. The Blast Dota Slam Singapore will feature the world's top Dota 2 teams, a US$1mil prize pool, and an immersive live experience for local and international fans. The event will also be broadcast in over 50 territories and 21 languages, reaching millions of viewers worldwide and further showcasing Singapore's capability to host world-leading entertainment productions. Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at Blast, said: 'Blast has major global ambitions as a leader in esports and competitive entertainment and we are delighted to expand our partnership with Singapore. "Singapore delivered one of the most passionate and engaged esports crowds we've ever seen during last year's Blast Premier World Final Singapore 2024, which was Blast's first event in South East-Asia and thousands of passionate fans travelled from all over Asia and beyond. "We are incredibly excited to be making a long-term commitment to the region through this new partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board. "Together, we'll bring four spectacular esports arena events to the Lion City, after this year's Dota Slam. Singapore is already recognised as a hub for international sports and entertainment – this partnership will help ensure it becomes a leading destination in the global esports calendar, and is one of our biggest commitments to a market,' Matlock added. Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive, Experience Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "Following the success of last year's BLAST Premier World Final, we are delighted to forge this new multi-year partnership with Blast that anchors a regular pipeline of esports events in Singapore and strengthens our position as Asia's leading esports and entertainment hub. "Large-scale international esports events create significant opportunities for our tourism ecosystem, benefiting local businesses and growing the local events and esports industries. We look forward to welcoming players and fans from around the world to Singapore this November and in the years ahead, where they can experience our vibrant culture and diverse offerings beyond the arena." The multi-year agreement is expected to generate tens of millions in economic impact for Singapore, through visitor spend, job creation, and international exposure. Esports fans, talent, media, and commercial partners from around the world are expected to travel to the city for each event, transforming Singapore into a dynamic stage for esports' biggest moments. Singapore joins a global calendar that includes London, Lyon, Austin, Hong Kong and Rio, with the city-state's position as an esports powerhouse in Asia only set to grow. This partnership reinforces how major esports tournaments are evolving into cultural and economic cornerstones, rivaling traditional international sporting events in scale, viewership and significance. Fans can sign up at to be the first to receive ticketing updates, exclusive news and access to future Blast events in Singapore. -- (Note: Story info from Miles Group).
