'We did it!'- M'sian VFX creator shoots video with Tom Cruise in Tokyo, netizens celebrate his success
Malaysian VFX creator Mohamad Sofian Abdullah, better known as Sofyank on social media, has gone viral after sharing a picture of himself with Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old first teased the collaboration on May 5, announcing that he would be shooting a VFX video with the Mission: Impossible actor during his trip overseas.
On May 6, Sofyank followed up with a photograph of himself and his friend Shaffuan, with Cruise standing in the middle—all of them flashing big smiles. The VFX creator captioned the image with 'Alhamdulillah! We did it!'
The photo quickly went viral, with Malaysian netizens flooding his comments to congratulate him on the incredible achievement.
Many expressed pride in seeing a local talent collaborate with such a global icon, applauding Sofyank for putting Malaysia's creative industry on the map.
ALSO READ: Malaysians rejoice as Michelle Yeoh makes Oscar history
'That's awesome! Tom Cruise will definitely remember you guys forever. His memory is strong,' commented @arifcfc.
'Super awesome! To be able to stand that close to Tom Cruise and shoot content together—that's truly extraordinary talent. Hope you continue to grow even further and elevate the film industry, whether locally or internationally. That's seriously powerful!' said @izsmin.
'Wow, even many Malaysian celebrities haven't reached the level of meeting Tom Cruise personally like this. That's impressive!' praised @anisa_safw.
In his latest update posted today (May 7), Sofyank shared another major moment—standing on the red carpet next to Tom Cruise, engaging in a conversation with the Hollywood icon.
He captioned the post with heartfelt words: 'Hey @TomCruise! We Malaysians admire your work, your stunts, and the effort you put into each movie. Standing in front of you in this moment was truly a lifelong dream come true. Thank you for being a legend and for being such a kind man to your fans everywhere.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hype Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
EXO's D.O To Return To Malaysia This August; Tickets & Seating Plan Announced
Get ready, Malaysia! One of Korea's most soulful and captivating voices is returning to our shores. Doh Kyung Soo (도경수), also known as D.O (디오), the main vocalist of global K-pop powerhouse EXO, is embarking on his highly anticipated first-ever solo concert tour: '2025 DOH KYUNG SOO ASIA CONCERT TOUR ', with a special stop in Kuala Lumpur! Following the phenomenal success of his sold-out fan concert in KL last year, where the singer charmed fans with his warmth, wit, and stunning vocals, the memory of that magical night still lingers in the hearts of many. Now, the idol returns with an upgraded experience—his first full-length solo concert, promising a night filled with music, memories, and unmatched vocal brilliance. Titled '', this upcoming concert tour marks a major milestone in D.O's artistic journey. Known for his deep emotional resonance, cinematic stage presence, and impeccable vocal control, D.O will take fans on an immersive musical experience that reflects his personal evolution and artistry beyond EXO. Without any further ado, here are the confirmed details of the KL show: 2025 DOH KYUNG SOO ASIA CONCERT TOUR Date: 30th August 2025 (Saturday) 30th August 2025 (Saturday) Time: 6pm 6pm Venue: Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur Organiser: UnUsUaL Entertainment UnUsUaL Entertainment Ticketing: RM988 (CAT1), RM888 (CAT2), RM688 (CAT3), RM488 (CAT4) As seen in the poster above, fans will get to enjoy certain benefits depending on the tickets purchased. Tickets go on sale via BookMyShow on 9th June 2025 (Monday) at 12pm. This is more than a concert—it's a celebration of D.O's voice, vision, and heartfelt connection with fans. Don't miss the chance to be part of this landmark moment in Malaysian K-pop history. Are you ready to catch the EXO member live on stage again? Which song are you looking most forward to seeing him perform? While we wait, let's enjoy his latest single '밤에 내린 눈 (Snowfall at Night)'. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Sinar Daily
7 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Studio Ghibli marks 40 years, but future looks uncertain
TOKYO - Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans young and old won over by its complex plots and fantastical hand-drawn animation. But the future is uncertain, with latest hit "The Boy and the Heron" likely -- but not certainly -- the final feature from celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. The studio behind the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away" has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fuelled of late by a second Academy Award in 2024 for "The Boy and the Heron", starring Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli movies around the world. In March, the internet was flooded with pictures in its distinctively nostalgic style after the release of OpenAI's newest image generator -- raising questions over copyright. The newly opened Ghibli Park has also become a major tourist draw for central Japan's Aichi region. Julia Santilli, a 26-year-old from Britain living in northern Japan, "fell in love with Ghibli" after watching the 2001 classic "Spirited Away" as a child. "I started collecting all the DVDs," she told AFP. Ghibli stories are "very engaging and the artwork is stunning", said another fan, Margot Divall, 26. "I probably watch 'Spirited Away' about 10 times a year still." This file photo taken on July 13, 2015 shows Oscar-winning Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki taking part in a press conference in Tokyo. - (Photo by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP) - 'Whiff of death' - Before Ghibli, most cartoons in Japan -- known as anime -- were made for children. But Miyazaki and Takahata, both from "the generation that knew war", included darker elements that appeal to adults, Miyazaki's son Goro told AFP. "It's not all sweet -- there's also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work," he said, describing a "whiff of death" in the films. For younger people who grew up in peacetime, "it is impossible to create something with the same sense, approach and attitude", Goro said. Even "My Neighbor Totoro", with its cuddly forest creatures, is in some ways a "scary" movie that explores the fear of losing a sick mother, he explained. Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University in the United States and author of "Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art", agrees. "In Ghibli, you have ambiguity, complexity and also a willingness to see that the darkness and light often go together" unlike good-versus-evil US cartoons, she said. The post-apocalyptic "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" -- considered the first Ghibli film despite its release in 1984 -- has no obvious villain, for example. The movie featuring an independent princess curious about giant insects and a poisonous forest felt "so fresh" and a change from "a passive woman... having to be rescued", Napier said. - Natural world - Studio Ghibli films also depict a universe where humans connect deeply with nature and the spirit world. A case in point was 1997's "Princess Mononoke", distributed internationally by Disney. The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans is "a masterpiece -- but a hard movie", Napier said. It's a "serious, dark and violent" film appreciated more by adults, which "was not what US audiences had anticipated with a movie about a princess". Ghibli films "have an environmentalist and animistic side, which I think is very appropriate for the contemporary world with climate change", she added. Miyuki Yonemura, a professor at Japan's Senshu University who studies cultural theories on animation, said watching Ghibli movies is like reading literature. "That's why some children watch Totoro 40 times," she said, adding that audiences "discover something new every time". - French connection - Miyazaki and Takahata -- who died in 2018 -- could create imaginative worlds because of their openness to other cultures, Yonemura said. Foreign influences included writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery and animator Paul Grimault, both French, and Canadian artist Frederic Back, who won an Oscar for his animation "The Man Who Planted Trees". Takahata studying French literature at university "was a big factor", Yonemura said. "Both Miyazaki and Takahata read a lot," she said. "That's a big reason why they excel at writing scripts and creating stories." Miyazaki has said he was inspired by several books for "Nausicaa", including the 12th-century Japanese tale "The Lady who Loved Insects", and Greek mythology. Studio Ghibli will not be the same after Miyazaki stops creating animation, "unless similar talent emerges", Yonemura said. Miyazaki is "a fantastic artist with such a visual imagination" while both he and Takahata were "politically progressive", Napier said. "The more I study, the more I realise this was a unique cultural moment," she said. "It's so widely loved that I think it will carry on," said Ghibli fan Divall. "As long as it doesn't lose its beauty, as long as it carries on the amount of effort, care and love," she said. - Natsuko Fukue / AFP
Sinar Daily
7 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Ejen Ali The Movie 2 breaks records, rakes in RM40.6 million in Malaysia's box office
Released less than two weeks ago, EATM2 has already rewritten the rules of what local animated films can achieve, setting a new benchmark for Malaysian-made content. By DANIAL HAKIM 06 Jun 2025 11:14am The film's incredible performance at the box office not only highlights its universal appeal but also the exceptional quality and ambition of local digital creators. Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) has stormed past RM40.6 million at the local box office within just 13 days of release, solidifying Wau Animation's place as a powerhouse in Southeast Asian storytelling and animation. EJEN Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) has catapulted Malaysian animation into the spotlight, raking in an impressive RM40.6 million at the local box office within just 13 days, cementing Wau Animation's status as a Southeast Asian storytelling less than two weeks ago, EATM2 has already rewritten the rules of what local animated films can achieve, setting a new benchmark for Malaysian-made film's incredible performance at the box office not only highlights its universal appeal but also the exceptional quality and ambition of local digital sequel continues the journey of Ejen Ali, blending heart-pounding action, emotional storytelling, and groundbreaking animation, all crafted entirely by Malaysian Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) acknowledged the film's success as a meaningful step forward for local animation.'The success of Ejen Ali the Movie 2 is a testament to the world-class capabilities of our homegrown studios and creators.'MDEC is honoured to have supported this achievement through the Digital Content Grant (DCG), which aims to accelerate the growth of high-quality, exportable digital Ali stands as a proud symbol of Malaysian storytelling excellence, inspiring a new generation of creators to dream boldly,' MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said. According to their founder, the film's stunning results are not just a win for Wau Animation, but for the entire Malaysian creative content landscape. 'Thank you MDEC for having faith in our homegrown talents. We are grateful for all the guidance and support that has been given ever since our humble beginning.'I hope that this will open up more opportunities for upcoming studios and creators out there,' Wau Animation founder and executive director Usamah Zaid Yassin landmark achievement aligns with the goals of the DICE (Digital Content Ecosystem) Roadmap, Malaysia's national blueprint for transforming into a global digital content hub by far, the local creative industry has contributed more than RM87 billion in revenue, RM11 billion in export value, and RM80 billion in cumulative investments, a testament to its growing global ensure more stories like Ejen Ali continue to thrive, MDEC is currently inviting submissions for the Animated Short Challenge, aimed at identifying and mentoring the next big intellectual properties (IPs) from are open until June 13 2025, and more details are available at: initiative encourages fresh voices to emerge and continue Malaysia's strong tradition of beloved animated IPs such as Upin & Ipin, BoBoiBoy, and Mechamato. More Like This
