Johnnie To is set to direct Tony Leung in a gangster film that is targeting a release in 2027.

Johnnie To is set to direct Tony Leung in a gangster film that is targeting a release in 2027.

      Although once immensely and astonishingly productive, Johnnie To has only released three features over the past decade, and his recent interviews have suggested a somewhat pessimistic view regarding new projects––whether it’s the long-awaited Election 3 or something else. (There has been no recent news since he was reportedly seen filming something, which has been the strongest statement we've managed to offer for quite some time.) Therefore, reading in the Hong Kong publication HK01 (via Google Translation) that today marks the beginning of location scouting for a new film featuring Tony Leung, which––I hope you’re prepared for this––“centers on gang conflicts in Hong Kong,” brought a genuine thrill. Filming is expected to occur mainly in Hokkaido, Japan, with a release anticipated in 2027.

      Little news from 2025 has been so heartening. (The only other item that comes to mind is this––truly a Chinese century.) Despite being two of Hong Kong’s prominent figures, To and Leung have worked together surprisingly rarely, with each collaboration being a less prominent title in their filmographies: Tomorrow, The Royal Scoundrel, Lucky Tomorrow, and To’s ghost-directed The Longest Nite. (I've seen one, and if you've seen more: much respect.) One might wonder if this new project is in any way influenced by their recent collaboration as jury members at the Tokyo International Film Festival, during which To commended the “delicious dishes” Leung suggested. (Joking aside, it’s as valid a reason as any for selecting a filming location.)

      During a career-spanning retrospective in New York last year, To was frequently questioned about the possibility of a new film. He informed our own Daniel Eagen that he had begun working on a project about the Hong Kong handover but, after two days, found he “could not concentrate somehow.” While he hasn’t entirely abandoned this feature, he expressed a desire “to create a happy film.” The same interview hints at a potential Japanese influence in this new endeavor: To considered the idea of merging Hong Kong cinema’s “robust technical foundation and a globally recognizable spirit” with the resources of other Asian countries––including financing. Whatever it takes, especially given how beautifully To could capture the country.

      P.S. While researching for this article, I came across a 2023 interview where To candidly expressed his opinion about Everything Everywhere All at Once: “Listen, I don’t know why this film can get any awards. No idea. I can’t accept that.” Although it isn’t directly related to the above discussion, if you’ve read this far, you’d likely find it interesting.

Other articles

11 Unapologetic Movies from the 1970s That Don't Require Your Admiration 11 Unapologetic Movies from the 1970s That Don't Require Your Admiration These 12 unapologetic films from the 1970s prioritize entertainment over respect. Sundance Review: The Zodiac Killer Project is the Ultimate True Crime Documentary Sundance Review: The Zodiac Killer Project is the Ultimate True Crime Documentary What would a director's commentary for a feature-length film sound like if the film never actually existed? This intriguing and slippery concept is explored in Charlie Shackleton’s remarkable Zodiac Killer Project, where the director talks about his unsuccessful effort to adapt Lyndon E. Lafferty’s book The Zodiac Killer Cover-Up: The Silenced Badge into the first significant documentary on the subject. The 10 Most Frightening Female Stalkers in Cinema - MovieMaker Magazine The 10 Most Frightening Female Stalkers in Cinema - MovieMaker Magazine In reality, the majority of stalkers are men, yet many films reverse this trend by featuring female stalkers prominently. Like Father Like Son (2025) - Film Review Like Father Like Son (2025) - Film Review Like Father Like Son, 2025. Written and directed by Barry Jay. Featuring Dylan Flashner, Ariel Winter, Vivica A. Fox, Mayim Bialik, Dermot Mulroney, Jim Klock, Prima Apollinaare, Eric Michael Cole, Benjamin Mackey, Casey James, Daniel Lench, John C. Epperson, Michael Roddy, Laura L. Cottrel, Ronit Gilbert-Aranoff, Chris Gann, Jonathan Tysor, Pappy Faulkner, Jonathan Shores, Mike [...]. 12 Embarrassing Films That Romanticize the Devil 12 Embarrassing Films That Romanticize the Devil Shame, shame on these movies for portraying the devil in a glamorous and appealing light. 11 Actors Who Have Changed Political Allegiances 11 Actors Who Have Changed Political Allegiances These 11 actors who have changed their political affiliations have altered their views throughout their careers in Hollywood.

Johnnie To is set to direct Tony Leung in a gangster film that is targeting a release in 2027.

Although he was previously incredibly prolific, Johnnie To has released just three feature films in the past decade, and his recent interviews suggest he is not particularly optimistic about any forthcoming projects—whether that’s the long-gestating Election 3 or something else. There has been no update in the past year since he was reportedly seen filming something, which is the most concrete information we've received.