Latest news with #Usamah
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Zeroing in on RM60mil target
USAMAH Zaid Yasin, who directed "Ejen Ali The Movie 2" (EATM2), said the animated film can hit its RM60 million box office target. EATM2 has made history by raking in RM40.6 million in 13 days of screening. This figure surpasses the earnings of 2019's "Ejen Ali". Usamah expressed gratitude to audiences for their support, especially for watching the film with their families. "As for the RM60 million target, I'm leaving it to audiences to make it a reality. It's not impossible for EATM2 to achieve it." He said many viewers have watched the film multiple times, a trend he finds encouraging. "Despite other domestic films being screened at the same time as EATM2, 'Ejen Ali' is getting significant attention." Usamah also mentioned that the decision to continue screening EATM2 for several more weeks rests with cinemas, based on audience demand. "Usually, a film's reception is great for the first two weeks following its release. After that, screenings in certain places start to decrease. " But for EATM2, I believe the strong audience response will continue, and as I said, the RM60 million target is not impossible to achieve." Earlier, he announced that EATM2 will be released in phases in Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia. The sequel, produced by Wau Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios and Komet Productions, premiered in Malaysian and Bruneian cinemas on May 22. Usamah, who is CEO of Wau Animation, recently attended an interview with Indonesian band Nidji. The band was chosen to perform "Teman Sejati", a song featured on the EATM2 soundtrack.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Ejen Ali' back with bigger suit, bigger battles
ANIMATED superkid Ejen Ali is back for another science-fiction adventure. Looking stronger and more mature, the country's battle-hardened boy wonder has embraced espionage technology and faces a foe whose true identity remains a mystery. Released on May 22, Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) was launched at GSC IOI City Mall in Sepang, Selangor. The launch was led by Wau Animation chief executive officer Usamah Zain Yasin and Media Prima Television Networks and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Nini Yusof. 3D Nini said that EATM2 marked another milestone in Malaysian animation and reintroduced audiences to the boy agent and his 3D adventures. "EATM2 has more explosive action and a deeper, more immersive narrative experience. "Since its debut on TV3 in 2016, Ejen Ali has grown into an internationally recognised IP, reaching over 65 countries. "In 2019, 'Ejen Ali The Movie' earned over RM30 million across cinemas and digital platforms." TECHNOLOGY Nini added that with new technology, returning fan-favourite characters and enriched world-building, the sequel will continue to spark massive online engagement. "This franchise has transcended domestic entertainment and become a testament to Malaysian creativity." Usamah, who is also director of EATM2, said: "The journey to bring EATM2 to life has been long and filled with dedication. "Fans have been eagerly awaiting this sequel since it was first announced, long before the pandemic. "We hope this film delivers the excitement they have been anticipating for so many years." IMPACT Usamah said that music played a pivotal role in deepening the emotional impact of EATM2, with a soundtrack that underscores the film's powerful moments. "Fans can look forward to 'Hanya Kamu' by Datuk M. Nasir, 'Teman Sejati' by Indonesian band Nidji and 'Penjuara' by Hael Husaini. "Each track carries its own emotional weight, infusing the storyline with a musical identity that mirrors the characters' journeys." ELITE In the futuristic city of Cyberaya, EATM2 sees Ali become the pilot for a high-stakes mission under Satria, an elite programme powered by an AI-assisted mecha suit. The mission takes a darker turn when the renegade Ejen Rizwan enlists Ali's help to uncover the mastermind behind escalating threats in Cyberaya. Meanwhile, mysterious hacker Neonimus resurfaces, driven by a vendetta against Ali. As Neonimus weaves a web of deception, every choice Ali makes becomes critical, determining not only his fate but the future of the city. GENERATION Usamah said: "Ali's Satria Project is aimed at producing a new generation of Mata agents who can combine the skills of all four Mata Cores: Techno, Neuro, Inviso and Kombat. "Satria is an armoured suit equipped with combat pattern data from Mata's greatest agents. It can be modified using ferrofluid technology to form weapons according to mission needs." USER Usamah added that Ali's best friend Ejen Alicia, has been given a new role as the Iris user. "Both team up once again to confront Neonimus, who reveals that he is working for the insidious and mysterious Ciro, the deadliest enemy of Cyberaya." As for Rizwan, he is teaming up with one-time baddies Dos and Trez to fight Mata's leadership for the sake of old grudges. "Mata's leadership is also facing a crisis, as the head of Cyberaya, Datuk Othman, has brought in Ejen Amir and Ejen Elle to work with the more senior Ejen Dayang and Ejen Ganz. However, the two teams don't see eye to eye. "This opens up an opportunity for Ciro to penetrate Mata," said Usamah. BLESSING Usamah said that getting Nasir on board for EATM2 was a blessing, as he is one of the country's foremost musicians. "He also chose to voice one of the surprise characters, as his family members love Ejen Ali," he said. EATM2 took two years to produce, largely because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and everything was done domestically. The movie is jointly presented by Primeworks, Wau and Komet Productions.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' collects RM15.3mil in 4 days
KUALA LUMPUR: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' (EATM2) has enjoyed a stellar opening, raking in an impressive RM15.3 million within just four days of its screening. This figure includes an exclusive preview screening for dedicated fans held on May 22. In a press statement released today, it was confirmed that the animated action film is currently showing in 161 cinemas across Malaysia and Brunei. The movie, directed by Usamah Zaid Yasin, has clearly demonstrated that the local superhero remains a firm favourite with audiences, who are thrilled by Ejen Ali's return to the big screen. "Praise be to God, from the 'Fans Screening' session to the official release in cinemas, the support we've received has been incredible," said Usamah in the statement. As both the film's director and CEO of WAU Animation, Usamah shared that he embraced the challenge, using all feedback from previous productions as motivation to craft the best possible scripts for current and future company projects. "On behalf of the production team, we are incredibly touched and happy every time we read comments and feedback from moviegoers," he added. "All of those comments mean a great deal to us and genuinely encourage us as creators to continue working on the next Ejen Ali script." The movie is anticipated to achieve even higher figures with the upcoming school holiday season, which begins on May 29. Tickets are already selling fast in many locations, with some cinemas adding extra screening sessions to keep up with demand. Co-produced by Primeworks Studios and WAU Animation, the film is set in the futuristic city of Cyberjaya. The story sees child hero Ali join the SATRIA programme, a blend of human and artificial intelligence (AI) using a high-tech suit to combat larger threats, including the presence of the vengeful hacker, Neonimus.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' doing great at the box office
KUALA LUMPUR: The new animated movie Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) is "doing great" at the box office, according to its director, Usamah Zaid Yasin. Usamah, who is the chief executive officer of Wau Animation, told Harian Metro that many viewers have rated the science-fiction adventure, which premiered in cinemas last Thursday, 9 out of 10. "On behalf of Wau Animation, I'd like to thank all fans of Ejen Ali for your endless support. It's most encouraging to hear that most viewers have given it 9 out of 10, and have been thoroughly entertained," Usamah said. He added that viewers have also provided feedback on how the story could be improved. Usamah also extended his gratitude to cinemas nationwide for helping to organise meet-and-greet events for Ejen Ali fans. EATM2 is a joint presentation by Wau, Primeworks Studios, and Komet Productions. They are targeting a box office collection of RM60 million. The first film, Ejen Ali The Movie (EATM), released in 2019, collected RM30 million at the box office.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Kool 101 launches major push for new Ejen Ali adventure
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular Malay-language radio station Kool 101 is currently going all out to promote the animated science-fiction movie, Ejen Ali The Movie 2, through its "Kool 101 X Ejen Ali Studio Takeover" campaign. At the station in Balai Berita Bangsar, here today, Kool 101 radio announcer Haiza played host to the movie's director and Wau Animation's chief executive officer, Usamah Zaid Yasin. Also present were Ida Rahayu Yusoff, the voice talent behind the boy hero, and acclaimed composer, singer, and musician Datuk M. Nasir, who performed the movie's theme song, 'Hanya Kamu'. Usamah, Ida, and Nasir were accompanied by mascots of Ejen Ali and his best friend Ejen Alicia during their visit to the station. Haiza explained that the station's campaign aims to support locally-made content that brings families together. "Throughout this campaign, Kool 101 will be the official Home Of Ejen Ali for all things related to promoting Ejen Ali The Movie 2," she said. "For this reason, we have given our studio a complete transformation with visuals, colours, backdrops, and screen displays that promote Ejen Ali." She added that the campaign also promotes family-oriented entertainment, with radio serving as a suitable medium to raise awareness of the new movie. Usamah shared that the early screening of Ejen Ali The Movie 2 last night received a great response from cinema-goers nationwide. "Many people came and they gave us good feedback. While the movie picks up where season three of the Ejen Ali TV series ended, fans can easily follow Ejen Ali and his new adventures with his state-of-the-art weapons and devices." Usamah also noted that fans praised the new movie for its superior production values, special effects, and storytelling, which were "a lot more advanced" than Ejen Ali The Movie in 2019. "We are optimistic that our target box office collection of RM60 million can be met, despite stiff competition from Hollywood action movie Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning and another homegrown superhero, Keluang Man The Movie, beginning soon," he said, adding that Wau hopes to screen Ejen Ali The Movie 2 in Indonesia later. He also expressed honour in having Nasir participate in the new movie, not only by singing the official soundtrack but also by voicing one of the characters for the first time. "Datuk Nasir told us that his family loves Ejen Ali and they have praised its state-of-the-art special effects. With him on board, Ejen Ali The Movie 2 has been given a significant boost." Usamah added that Wau's partnership with Kool 101 has been instrumental in promoting the movie, given the station's popularity amongst listeners.
