Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’: Yash Raj Films CEO Analyzes Film’s Success, Expansion of Spy Universe, China Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Jackie Chan-starring nostalgic stuntman comedy film “Ride On” trotted to a second weekend atop the mainland Chinese box office. “The Super Mario” Bros. Movie” remained in fourth place. “Ride On” earned $6.0 million (RMB41.5 million) between Friday and Sunday, a 48% week-on week drop, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That took it to a $22.6 million total since release on April 7. Below it, Japanese animation “Suzume” and Chinese shaggy dog story “Hachiko” swapped places. “Hachiko,” on its third weekend outing, earned $4.9 million, for a cumulative of $35.1 million. “Suzume” earned $4.5 million in its fourth weekend on release in China, giving it a $109 million cumulative.

EXCLUSIVE: Briarcliff Entertainment has taken domestic distribution rights to Sight starring Terry Chen (Almost Famous, Falling) and Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine, As Good as It Gets). A wide theatrical release has been set for Oct. 27.

Beijing-based sales agent Rediance has revealed first look stills for Anthony Chen’s The Breaking Ice, which has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. 

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) has announced its in-person programming for CAAMFest 2023 which will take place from May 11 to 21. This year’s festival will kick off with Lionsgates’s anticipated comedy “Joy Ride,” directed by Adele Lim. Opening night will be held at The Castro Theater in San Francisco on May 11 with a commemoration during the opening night gala.  “These last few years have deeply altered us and we are only starting to journey towards each other again,” says festival and exhibitions director Thúy Trần. “CAAMFest 2023 is a call to gather so that we may witness each other’s transformations, restore our bonds, and bask in our joys.” 

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The Jackie Chan-starring stunt-man comedy drama “Ride On” pratfalled its way to first place at the mainland Chinese box office with a lowball $11.7 million opening. Still, that was enough to beat another new release, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which ranked fourth over the latest weekend. Chan is an enduring, but fading, star in China and in the past his new release titles were often scheduled for the three biggest holiday seasons. “Ride On,” which sees Chan in an ode to the stunt players he has worked with, was released two days after the Ching Ming (Wednesday 5 April) holiday, when many folks honor their ancestors. Its opening three days were enough to depose “Suzume” from the top spot, where “Suzume” had ranked for the previous two weekends. “Suzume” earned $8.0 million over the latest weekend in China, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. That gives it a $103 million cumulative after 17 days in mainland theaters, a China record for a Japanese animation film.

Pathaan director Siddharth Anand has been brought on board to direct Tiger vs Pathaan, an upcoming instalment in Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe franchise, which will feature a face off between two of India’s biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, Deadline has learned. 

RRR star N.T. Rama Rao Jr  (aka NTR Jr) is set to star alongside Hrithik Roshan in War 2, the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, which forms part of Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe. 

Naman Ramachandran NTR Jr, star of Oscar- and Golden Globe-winner “RRR,” will feature alongside Hrithik Roshan in “War 2,” one of the future instalments in leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ spy universe. “War 2” will be directed by Ayan Mukerji, who previously helmed Disney’s Indian mythological superhero film “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva.” NTR Jr is currently shooting his 30th film, known by the working title “NTR 30,” with Koratala Siva directing. The actor hails from the South India-based Telugu-language film industry, but the pan-India and international success of “RRR” has seen him transcend boundaries.

Naman Ramachandran Ayan Mukerji will direct “War 2,” one of the future instalments in leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ spy universe. Mukerji previously directed Disney’s Indian mythological superhero film “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva,” which was one of the biggest Bollywood hits of 2022, grossing $52 million. He debuted with coming of age film “Wake Up Sid” (2009) and followed up with romcom “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” (2013). Created by producer Aditya Chopra, the spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and continued with “War” (2019), starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. The latest instalment in the universe, “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is the biggest Indian hit of the year so far, grossing $130 million. The four films have together grossed some $300 million.

Japanese composer and producer Ryuichi Sakamoto, a pioneer in electronic music and winner of an Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA awards, has died at 71. He died of cancer on March 28, the BBC reported, attributing the confirmation to his office.

Looking back, Pang — a lifelong Beatles fan and subject of the new documentary “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story,” in theaters April 13 —told The Post, “It’s almost surreal. In one way, Yoko took advantage because I was naïve. But she also gave me a gift.

Naman Ramachandran Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will headline “Tiger vs Pathaan,” the latest film in producer Aditya Chopra’s spy universe. The film, from leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films, will commence principal photography in January 2024, sources close to the studio confirmed to Variety. Yash Raj Films declined to comment. “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is the biggest Indian hit of the year so far, grossing $130 million. The spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and contining with “War,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. The four films have together grossed some $300 million.

EXCLUSIVE: Alex Boniello (Jessica Jones) has been cast as Jack of Diamonds in the Disney+ original movie Descendants: The Rise of Red (formerly known as The Pocketwatch), the latest installment in Disney Branded Television’s Descendants franchise.

Descendants: The Rise of Red.” Montalban will play the role of King Charming, reuniting with Brandy as Cinderella after they stared as the dynamic royal duo in ABC’s 1997 “Wonderful World of Disney” TV movie “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”  “The Rise of the Red” comes as the latest installment in Disney’s “Descendants” franchise.  

Actor and martial artist Dannie Yen has big biggest stateside release this weekend when “John Wick: Chapter 4” hits theaters everywhere. But US audiences may not realize just how prolific Yen is in the Chinese film industry.

Christina Ricci is always down to play around in the weird and macabre world of Netflix's She just can't say whether or not that's actually in the cards just yet.The celebrated actress walked the carpet at the season 2 premiere of, held at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Wednesday, and she spoke with ET's Deidre Behar about both of the highly rated TV shows she's been a part of just in the past year.In, Ricci stars as the seemingly sweet and supportive teacher Marilyn Thornhill, who is ultimately revealed to be secretly evil. She's ultimately defeated by some angry bees and a swift kick in the face, but her actual fate is left somewhat ambiguous.However, Ricci understandably played coy when asked if she might be a part of the hotly anticipated second season, telling ET, «I don't think I'm allowed to say.»However, Ricci happily added, «On my end, the door is open» for a return, if the show wants to bring her back.«She was so fun to play!» Ricci marveled.

Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, and Tawny Cypress look amazing at the premiere of their Showtime series, Yellowjackets!

Cinderella and Prince Charming lived happily ever after and Descendants: The Rise of Red will showcase what the fairytale couple is up to now.

reported the news in an exclusive report.Lead duo Montalban and Brandy Norwood will return to their roles of fairytale couple King Charming and Cinderella alongside Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts who “rules over the kingdom of Wonderland with an iron fist.”Montalban first starred as Prince Christopher in “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” (1997) alongside Norwood as Cinderella with the late Whitney Houston playing the Fairy Godmother. Other ensemble cast members included Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Barger, Natalie Desselle Reid, Bernadette Peters and Jason Alexander.“The Rise of Red” will bring viewers back to Auradon and the Isle of Lost, where the “Descendants” franchise begins.

Russia's president has promised to "respond" to the UK's plan of sending ammunition to forces in Ukraine as they continue to defend against the year-long invasion of their territory.