Lea Salonga To Topline Short Film Prequel To Abigail Hing Wen Novel; John Aoshima And Neil Blevins Attached For Animation
Wen's novel will release Sept. 16, 2025 through AAPI publishing house Third State Books, founded by Stephanie Lim. The short film is in post production and slated for completion this summer. Wen wrote and directed the short film, which also has an animation team of John Aoshima (DuckTales, Ultraman: Rising) attached as director and Neil Blevins Incredibles I, II, Wall-E, Up) as animation designer.
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The short film follows the Lees, a grieving inventor family in Silicon Valley who find healing and connection through their young son's creativity in The Vale, a virtual reality fantasy world they made. The family-friendly short film shifts between the real, live action world and the animated world, blending reality and imagination in a visually stunning exploration of love, family, and resilience.
In addition to three-time Tony Award winner Salonga, the project features Robert Palmer Watkins(Uglies) and introduces Egan Xander, son of actors George Young (Falling for Christmas) and Janet Hsieh (Love in Taipei), in the role of Bran.
The short film is produced by Tracy Chitupatham and author Wen with consultants Holden Chang (Bridgerton) and Angie Sun (Trash Truck). Executive Producers include Deborah and David Liu, Tiffany Chang (Miss Asia USA 2024), Meredith and David Chamberlain, Kelly Liang and Phil Lew, Julie Liao and Lea Salonga.
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'It has been a dream to work closely with these trailblazing creative powerhouses on a project that brings us into the hopes and dreams of a diverse Silicon Valley family, and explores themes of family and healing through creativity, as well as the ethics around cutting edge technology,' says Wen, who wrote the novel in 2015, long before AI generation hit mainstream audiences.
The team behind the camera also includes consultants Holden Chang (Bridgerton) and Angie Sun (Trash Truck) with director of photography Dawn Suhyn Shim, live action production designer Emma Koh, composer Andromeda Wen, editor Shayar Bhansali, behind-the-scenes content capture directed by Creative Director at Instagram Grace Sun and Loveboat, Taipei marketing veteran Jane Lee.
Wen's young adult novel Loveboat, Taipei was adapted into Paramount's Love in Taipei (2023) starring Ashley Liao, Ross butler, Nico Hiraga and Chelsea Zhang. The rom com adaptation, based on the first of Wen's novels in a trilogy, was directed by Arvin Chen.
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Bridgerton actress agoraphobic after phone attack
Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour has spoken of how she has been left "severely agoraphobic" and unable to leave home following a phone theft that turned violent in west London. The 27-year-old was attacked in a café in February after she confronted a man who had taken her phone. Speaking to the BBC for the first time about the assault, which left her concussed and traumatised, the actress said it had caused her to move out of the capital to live with her mother. "I no longer feel safe calling west London home as a single woman," she said. Last month, Zacariah Boulares, 18, was sentenced to 22 months in jail for common assault and three counts of theft. Chenneour, who played Clara Livingston in season three of Bridgerton, had been meeting her ex-boyfriend at Joe & The Juice on Kensington High Street when her phone was taken from a table. CCTV footage shows her then grabbing the thief in a bid to get her phone back, after which the altercation quickly escalated into what she described as a "full-on fight between four people for about five minutes". "I was just facing forward at the back of a café, so there shouldn't really have been anything going on behind me," Chenneour told BBC News. "I thought it was a moment to kind of relax. I put my phone down next to me, and the next thing I knew... it felt like a darkness came over me." Chennoeur said she sensed something was wrong before realising her phone was missing. When she turned, she saw a man in a black hoodie standing directly in front of her. 'Something hit me' Chenneour said she "very quickly asked for my phone back" but Boulares refused. "Luckily, I had my ex there. So I made the first move of grabbing him to get the phone and then I pushed him by his chest or neck to create some distance," she said. Chenneour and her ex-boyfriend tried to stop the man from fleeing, but the situation intensified when another man entered the cafe. "They threatened stabbing me. It escalated. I didn't know what to do because if you get off them and you're fighting, is that an opportunity for them to stab you?" She said she briefly blacked out during the confrontation. "It went black. I don't know what hit me, but something hit me. Then it carried on and I ended up on his back with my arm around his neck," she recounted. Someone shouted that the police had arrived and that the doors had been locked. Chenneour said she then let go, hoping officers would take charge. But the claim that they had arrived was false and the suspect ran off. Repeat offender Boulares, 18, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 1 July. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers investigated a 19-year-old man following the incident at Joe & The Juice but no further action was taken again him. 'Like a fever dream' Chenneour said not knowing the identity of the second man continued to frighten her. "I can't understand why someone's walking around who has threatened to stab me," she said. "That just shouldn't be the case. I feel like I deserve to know that person's name. "How can you threaten to stab someone and be walking around knowing that the guy you did that with is in prison?" She also said she had no prior knowledge that the CCTV footage would be released, and did not consent to its circulation. "I woke up to this viral video of me defending myself. I blacked out so I didn't know that I'd done that. Watching that video was just the most bizarre experience. It was like a fever dream." Bridgerton actress fights back phone thief in cafe Met promises to tackle West End crime hotspots The psychological impact of the attack, she told the BBC, has been severe and long-lasting. Chenneour said she had become severely agoraphobic, adding: "I didn't want to leave the house. And then if I did leave the house, I wanted to be with someone. "But I felt like a burden. That's a really dark downward spiral that you can find yourself in." She said she stayed in hotels when returning to London for work. "I've avoided public transport, changed my routines, and I'm currently exploring therapy options," Chenneour added. She praised the café's staff, especially the women who called police and supported her. She also expressed appreciation for the officers who responded on the day - but criticised the lack of long-term support from the Met Police. Chenneour said there was "no co-ordinated aftercare" and she was "left to survive the aftermath myself". "I've spoken to people who've done the exact same thing after something similar happened. This affects every part of your life," she said. 'Relentlessly pursuing gangs' Asked what message she would give to those carrying out attacks like the one she experienced, she said: "You have no idea what people are dealing with when you rob them, threaten them, hurt them. "You don't need to hurt people to get where you want to in life. There's a better choice." The Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers were "relentlessly pursuing criminal gangs intent on committing robbery and phone theft". They added: "We have increased patrols in hotspot areas to identify and deter perpetrators." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
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3 days ago
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'Bridgerton' season 4: Everything we know so far
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The moment that "Bridgerton" season 3 and all of its carriage-rattling, Lady Whistledown-revealing fun came to an end — don't worry, you can revisit the romantic adventures of Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) whenever you want with a Netflix subscription — our attentions immediately turned to next season. It's on our way, but how much longer must we wait? Yes, "Bridgerton" season 4 was announced by the streaming platform all the way back in April 2021, and we've already got burning questions about the upcoming episodes. We officially know which Bridgerton sibling will serve as this season's romantic lead (more on that in a minute), but just how faithful will the new episodes be to that character's book? No matter how closely production sticks to the source material, the fourth season of "Bridgerton" will surely have all of the opulent costumes, sumptuous ballrooms and romantic steaminess we've come to expect from the Netflix series. Here's everything you need to know about "Bridgerton" season 4. 'Bridgerton' season 4 release date window Bad news, Ton diehards: not only is there not yet an official release date for "Bridgerton" season 4, but it also seems like there's going to be a bit of a wait before we catch up with Benedict (Luke Thompson), Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Colin and the rest of the Bridgerton brood. Fans can expect to see a new season sometime in 2026, per an interview with "Bridgerton" showrunner Jess Brownell. 'We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language,' Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter last June. 'And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we're kind of on a two-year pace. We're trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range.' A two-year wait isn't unprecedented for the series: The first season premiered in December 2020, with season 2 following in March 2022 and season 3 dropping in May 2024. At least the powers that be are planning to make the wait worth your while:'I'm really excited about what we're writing. We're toward the end with the writers' room season, with the scripts. And I feel like it's some of my best work and my writers' room's best work," Brownell told THR. "We've just really gelled our collaboration, and we're firing on all cylinders, so I can't wait for fans to see what we have. In April 2021, Netflix announced its renewal of season 3 and season 4. At the time, Netflix VP of Global TV Bela Bajaria said, 'Bridgerton swept us off our feet. The creative team, led by Shonda, knew the material and delivered a beautiful, emotional, romantic drama for our members. They have some exciting plans for the future, and we think audiences will continue to swoon for this show. We're planning to be in the Bridgerton business for a long time to come." But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like filming on season 4 has officially wrapped up as of spring 2025, with Netflix sharing a cute behind-the-scenes video to its social-media accounts on June 20 showing various cast members heading into their respective trailers in their period costumes and stepping back out in their modern-day plainclothes. "Do join us in bidding our dear Ton a farewell as they conclude the production of the forthcoming season!" read the video's caption. "Indeed, there is much to look forward to…" How many episodes will 'Bridgerton' season 4 be? "Bridgerton" season 4 will reportedly consist of eight episodes, which is the same amount as the first three editions of the show. However, it's unclear if the fourth season will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor and be split into two parts, or if all of the episodes will hit the streamer in go. Stay tuned! Who is in the 'Bridgerton' season 4 cast? Though 'Bridgerton' season 3 mainly focused on the coupling of Colin and Penelope (who — spoiler alert! — got their happily-ever-after, including a sweet giggling baby, by the season's end), it featured plenty of romantic hijinks for the rest of the Bridgerton clan, from Benedict further exploring his sexuality to Eloise leaving the Ton for a sojourn to Scotland with Francesca, her new hubby John Stirling (Victor Alli) and his beguiling cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza). According to Tudum, Luke Thompson's Benedict and Claudia Jessie's Eloise will both be back for the new episodes, as well as Nicola Coughlan's Penelope and Luke Newton's Colin. "I love my role in the show, so I can't see myself going anywhere. I just want to finish the stories off, Newton told Teen Vogue. "I would say there's still stuff to get sorted in season 4, so yeah, that's why I'm there.' And yes, another previous "Bridgerton" main couple will join Coughlan and Newton in returning to the Ton for season 4: Viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and pregnant wife Kate (Simone Ashley). Hannah Dodd's Francesca, as well as younger Bridgerton siblings Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and Gregory (Will Tilston) are also expected to return for season 4. And given that Bridgerton matriarch Violet, played by Ruth Gemmell, had her own fair share of romantic tension in season 3 opposite Lady Danbury's brother, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), we expect to see both mama and her love interest next season. Tudum also lists the return of Penelope's mother, Philipa Featherington (Polly Walker), as well as Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich and Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich. And as for new faces, there will be several, the most notable being Yerin Ha as Benedict's love interest, "the determined and captivating Sophie Baek, a victim of tragic circumstances" that the Bridgerton gent meets at Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball. Joining season 4 will also be Katie Leung as Araminta Gun, a twice-married and twice-widowed woman with two daughters debuting on the marriage mart this season. "Fabulous, discerning, and blunt, Araminta does not respond well when anything — or anyone — threatens her standing in society," per Netflix. There's also Araminta's beautiful and vain eldest daughter Rosamund Li played by Michelle Mao, who has her sights sets on Benedict this social season, as well as her younger, kinder sister Posy Li (Isabella Wei). Is there a 'Bridgerton' season 4 teaser trailer? There isn't an official trailer for "Bridgerton" season 4 just yet, but Netflix has released some teasers over the past few months. In July 2024, the streamer released a 30-second clip announcing that Luke Thompson's Benedict Bridgerton would be serving as this season's romantic lead: "Welcome to the marriage mart, Benedict!" And as a little Valentine's Day treat, Netflix also published a behind-the-scenes teaser on February 14, 2025, spotlighting Thompson and his new onscreen leading lady Yerin Ha, with cheery cameos from the larger Bridgerton family: And most recently, on March 14, the streamer gave fans a closer look at one of the book's most memorable moments: when Benedict Bridgerton encounters his future love Sophie Baek (changed from the novel's Beckett) at the masquerade ball: 'Bridgerton' season 4 spoilers and book story Spoiler warning: The following contains detailed information about Julia Quinn's novels "An Offer From a Gentleman" and "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." While "Bridgerton" the series hasn't entirely followed Quinn's novels to the letter, seasons 1 and 2 did closely track the plot of her first two "Bridgerton" books, "The Duke and I" and "The Viscount Who Loved Me." Some storylines were shifted from later books, like the revelation of Lady Whistledown's identity. However, season 3 diverged from the books. It did not take story cues from book 3, "An Offer From a Gentleman," which features a Cinderella-like romance between Benedict Bridgerton and a new character named Sophie Beckett. Instead, the third season skipped over Benedict's story and drew from the fourth book, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton," which focuses on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. That means that season 4 will get things back on track and focus on the Bridgertons' bohemian brother, the artsy Benedict. The last we saw of Benedict in the season 3 finale, he had just rejected Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and her proposal of a monogamous relationship, sans their recent paramour Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio), in favor of staying single. However, Benedict's plans are thrown for a loop when he encounters the mysterious Sophie Bae at his mother's masquerade ball, which will reportedly take place in the very first episode of the new season. Thompson told Tulum about bringing the star-crossed lovers' story to life. 'The scripts that [showrunner] Jess [Brownell] and her team have come up with are dynamite. They're really, really, really exciting,' he said. 'The storyline is a bit of a twist on 'Cinderella.' You remember being told those stories as a child — the magic and the romance of them. It's really exciting to have that weaved into the world that we know of Bridgerton … It's such a great story, but it's also, I hope, really relatable.' 'What's striking about Season 4,' Thompson added, 'is that it's the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale — the romance of it — and the actual reality of the world.' Through Benedict and Sophia's relationship, season 4 will delve more deeply into both the powerful houses of the Ton and the people who keep those aristocratic lifestyles going behind the scenes. 'Both are true,' Thompson continued. 'You have to hold both of them — the romance and the reality — in your hand. In its best version, 'true love' happens in the middle of that.'Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all things "Bridgerton" season 4, including character details, new clips and trailer, and plot points. In the meantime, you can rewatch the drama's first three seasons on Netflix. More From Tom's Guide How to get Netflix for free — here are 3 ways The best Netflix shows to stream right now The best Netflix movies
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3 days ago
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Netflix's new romantic drama movie feels like a familiar sweet escape with just the right charm — and you can stream it now
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In an era where Netflix keeps churning out serious thriller flicks, I've been craving something a little sweeter. As someone who finds comfort in romance movies, I was naturally drawn to 'My Oxford Year.' Earlier this year, we got a similarly romantic movie in 'The Life List,' starring Sofia Carson who's basically Netflix's reigning queen of love stories. This time, she heads to Oxford to study Victorian poetry and ends up falling for her charming tutor, played by 'Bridgerton' star Corey Mylchreest. It's an intriguing premise, and one that definitely scratches the itch for a comfort watch this summer. But as much as I wanted to fall in love with 'My Oxford Year' and make it part of my annual romance rewatch tradition, my heart ended up a little broken, and I'm not entirely sure that was the movie's intention… 'My Oxford Year' definitely promises a cheesy, trope-filled romance, and to a certain extent, it succeeds in bringing those tropes to life. If you go in with the right expectations, you'll probably still enjoy it for what it is: a charming weekend watch that's forgettable but engaging. That said, there are a few lingering thoughts I can't shake. Here's everything to know before adding 'My Oxford Year' to your Netflix watchlist. What is 'My Oxford Year' about? 'My Oxford Year' follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson), an ambitious American student who wins a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford. Determined to stay focused on her future political career, Anna's plans are thrown off course when she meets her witty and charming tutor, Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest). As the two grow closer, an unexpected romance blossoms, one that challenges Anna's carefully laid ambitions and forces her to reconsider what truly matters. But Jamie harbors a secret that could change everything. Rooted in the academic beauty of Oxford, the movie is a coming-of-age story about choosing between the life you've always planned and the one that takes you by surprise. 'My Oxford Year' reads a little wrong, but still has its charm The best way I can describe 'My Oxford Year' is that you've probably seen it before in countless other romantic flicks, and there's nothing here that feels fresh. If it were playing in the background, you'd assume it was a compilation of romance movies that have worked well in the past. In a weird way, that's the part that makes 'My Oxford Year' most enjoyable. You know what to expect, there's almost a 'forbidden' aspect to the love story, and of course, the beautiful setting of historic colleges and cobblestone streets. Even in the first two minutes, we get the first trope: a woman moving away from her family to chase her dreams. She already has a list of things to do now that she's in England, like get fish and chips (there's a funny scene where she mistakes the server saying 'duck' when he actually asked if she wanted 'haddock'), visit a pub, and attend a boat race. You'll probably find a genre trope in almost every scene. So don't expect anything particularly groundbreaking here. It's another forgettable romance flick in Netflix's ever-growing library, but there's enough charm to make it enjoyable for romance fans like myself. Speaking of romance, this feels like Carson's most electric romantic pairing so far. Her character, Anna, and the charming tutor, Jamie, start off on the wrong foot when his car splashes dirty puddle water onto her. From there, their chemistry naturally grows until they can't bear to be apart. Carson and Mylchreest keep the romance engaging in that sense. But despite the butterflies, sneaky glances, and makeouts behind walls, there's a turning point in 'My Oxford Year' that completely shifts the tone, and it just doesn't work. I don't want to spoil anything. I'm sure anyone who's read Julia Whelan's book will know what I'm talking about. But there's a certain plot device thrown in to evoke emotions in the viewer that comes across more as a contrived emotional cue than a fully developed narrative element. Of course, since the movie follows the book's storyline, there's no changing how the story unfolds. But the book has the space to explore the deeper emotional impact and complexities behind these challenges in a way the movie can't quite capture in its limited runtime. In a way, I wish 'My Oxford Year' had stayed a sweet, fairytale-like romance that's just there for comfort, and that's it. But the second half of the movie gets a little convoluted, and you almost disconnect from the characters, caring less about what happens to their relationship. That's not to say the movie doesn't work at all or that you should avoid it. It has charm, thanks to Carson and Mylchreest, and exploring the different Oxford locations was enjoyable especially when the romance scenes were shot in the pouring rain (a weather we're quite used to here in England). If you lower your expectations just enough, you'll find something delightfully fun in 'My Oxford Year,' and the crackling energy between the two leads will keep the spark alive for 110 minutes. You can stream 'My Oxford Year' on Netflix now 'My Oxford Year' isn't going to surprise you or change the romance game, but it still has its moments. With Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest leading the way, there's a warmth and sincerity that pulls you in, even when the story gets a little predictable. Plus, the gorgeous Oxford setting adds a dreamy vibe that's hard to resist, making it easy to get lost in for a couple of hours. Anyone who lives on Tumblr will probably recognize the 2010s inspiration in this movie. If you're looking for something that feels familiar but still charming, this movie fits the bill. I'm sure it will end up reaching the No. 1 spot on Netflix's top 10 list within the next few days. You can stream 'My Oxford Year' on Netflix now. Otherwise, see what else has been added to Netflix in August 2025. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Netflix drops fresh look at new mystery thriller with Keira Knightley Netflix's new crime thriller movie simmers with psychological tension Netflix added a sci-fi thriller series with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
