14/04/2025

MONDAY | APR 14, 2025

LYFE 25 Continuing sagas excite fans

T HESE cult hits are far from bowing out. Indeed, studios have hit the jackpot and have no intention of giving up on their golden geese any time soon. John Wick, The Hunger Games and The Handmaid’s Tale are all keeping their universe alive with prequels, sequels and new projects already in the works. The franchise machine is in full swing and nothing seems to be able to stop it. The news broke at the latest edition of CinemaCon. While the end of the fourth instalment and Keanu Reeves’s comments in the press had left fans doubtful, it is now official – the Hollywood star will reprise his iconic role in a fifth John Wick movie. The plot has not yet been revealed, but director Chad Stahelski and original producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee have already been confirmed. The franchise has already expanded beyond the original story with the spinoff Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas as a hit-woman in the midst of learning her trade. The film, in US theatres June 6, will be an opportunity to see Reeves, Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston reprise their iconic roles, as well as Lance Riddick, who passed away on March 17, 2023. Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead also joins the vengeful world of John Wick. This world had already expanded in 2023 with the miniseries The Continental: From the World of John Wick on Prime Video, exploring the younger years of the character Winston, played by McShane, before he meets the hitman. The world of John Wick will also ASTRO’s entertainment line-up for Tamil New Year or Puthandu , ranging from local premieres to international specials in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi languages, will start today. Customers can catch local Tamil premieres on Astro Vinmeen (Ch 202) via TV, Astro Go, On Demand and Sooka, including: 0 Oor Sutrum Boys A captivating travelogue showcasing breathtaking little known spots, historical places, delectable food varieties available at local markets, street food stalls and gourmet restaurants. See adrenaline pumping activities, including paragliding, white-water rafting, snorkelling, diving and more. Hosted by prominent local talents, including Daview Puvanan, Thiagu B and Kris Jay Harish, Oor Sutrum Boys is directed by Mugeshwaran Sivanantham and premieres tonight at 8pm. 0 Kambathu Ponnu A heartwarming family drama series cum Vinmeen exclusive series featuring Jayshree Vijayan, James Devan Arokisamy, Pavetraa Reddy, Kajenthiran, Shamini Shradha and more. The story revolves around Janu, a poverty stricken village girl who dives into a world of wealth and privilege, discovering that newfound fortune comes with its set of challenges. Directed by Saran Z, Kambathu Ponnu premieres tonight at 9pm. 0 Uyir Por A gripping thriller telemovie

o Prequels, sequels incoming: John Wick, Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale extend to animation, with a project serving as a prequel to the movie franchise. The plot will explore the events preceding the films, in particular the famous “Impossible Task” that allowed Wick to leave his life as an assassin for love, killing all his rivals in one night. Reeves will lend his voice to the hero. The franchise, which began in 2014 with a bloody act of revenge for a murdered dog, has established itself as a pillar of action cinema. After four movies, the franchise has grossed over US$1 billion (RM4.43 billion) at the global box office. Prequels are definitely in vogue. After Wick, it is the character of Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson) in the Hunger Games franchise who is getting his own film. Based on the novel Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping , released in March, the prequel will revisit the story of Katniss Everdeen’s mentor and winner of the 50th games. Filming is due to start in the summer of 2025, according to information revealed

Filming for the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale begins early this month. – HULUPIC

will follow the fate of a new generation of handmaids. Despite being forced to attend school in Gilead, these young women will question the established order and instigate a revolt of their own. Although filming began in early April, fans will have to be patient, as this latest project is not expected to be released until 2026. – ETX Studio

To date, the franchise has grossed over US$3 billion worldwide. Barely has the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale dropped, and there is already word of what is coming next. Entitled The Testaments , after Margaret Atwood’s novel published in 2019, this spinoff is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale and

at CinemaCon, with a big-screen release slated for November 2026. Here too, after the success of the trilogy, the Hunger Games franchise had already branched out with a prequel with Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2023. Starring Rachel Zegler, the film explores the youth of Coriolanus Snow, future dictator of the state of Panem.

First footage of new Avatar movie shown at CinemaCon

Astro unveils Tamil New Year line-up

adversaries, the Ash People.” The stakes for Avatar: Fire and Ash could hardly be higher for the movie industry. More respected than loved by critics, the previous two Avatar films were unprecedented commercial hits. They are the top and the third-highest grossing films of all time, collectively earning well over US$5 billion (RM22 billion) globally. But across the industry as a whole, box office takings have never recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and 2025 is off to an unexpectedly weak start due to flops like Disney’s Snow White. Cameron said he hoped “this film can provide a shot in the arm for theater owners, as we are still struggling after the one-two punch of the pandemic and streaming.” Footage from the third Avatar film shows heroes Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Saldana) aboard giant, balloon-hoisted wooden ships, being towed through the air by huge blue stingray-like creatures. The convoy comes under attack from the Ash People – who look like Na’vi but sport bright-red head dresses, and shoot flaming arrows. “The Wind Traders are a peaceful, nomadic, air traveling clan. And the Ash People are former Na’vi who have forsaken Eywa, the blue-skinned humanoid tribe’s goddess,” explained Saldana. Cameron has previously said the new film will be longer than Avatar: The Way of Water , which ran for three hours and 12 minutes. Two more Avatar films are dated for 2029 and 2031. – AFP

EVIL NA’VI. Giant volcanoes. Airborne boats. The first-ever footage from Avatar: Fire and Ash, the sequel to two of the highest grossing movies of all time, was debuted at the CinemaCon event earlier this month. Out this December, the film “expands the beautiful world of Pandora and introduces two new clans”, explained star Zoe Saldana from the stage of the Las Vegas convention of movie theatre owners. Director James Cameron, speaking in a pre-recorded clip from New Zealand, where he is finishing the film, said the movie’s heroes must “face not only the human invaders, but new

Customers can catch Athuva Ithuva and other local Tamil premieres on Astro Vinmeen (Ch 202) via TV, Astro Go, On Demand and Sooka.

directed by debutant local filmmaker Surrya Prakash depicts the fun trip of a group of friends that turns into an unfortunate one after they get trapped in a basement of an old bunker. Starring Moon Nila, Auro Chakkravarthy, Sri Kumaran, Puvanan and more, this thrilling telemovie premieres this This fun game show explores generational differences between Gen X and Gen Z, starring Aruna Raj, Psychomantra, Shamini Shradha, Thivyah Kia, Dishaaleny Jack and more. Directed by Mohandass Madhavan and hosted by Bala Ganapathi William, Athuva Ithuva premieres this Sunday at 9pm. On the international front, Saturday at 10pm. 0 Athuva Ithuva

customers can enjoy Hindi films such as the drama thriller Sergeant on Zee Cinema (Ch 251) and action comedy Ambarsariya premiering tonight, 9pm on Colors Hindi (Ch 116). Customers can also look forward to Malayalam films, including the crime drama Thankam and action comedy Malayalee From India , premiering today at 3pm and 7.30pm on Astro Vaanavil (Ch 201). Catch Tamil films on Astro Vinmeen (Ch 202): action crime movie Vanangaan premiering tonight, 9.30pm, dark comedy Kudumbasthan premiering tomorrow, 10pm, and prison drama Sorgavaasal premiering on Wednesday, 9.30pm. These programmes are sure to add to the Puthandu festivities.

Saldana will star in new Avatar film. – AFPPIC