Johnnie To Announces Two New Features and Provides Update on Election 3

      The film industry buzzed with excitement upon the announcement that Johnnie To and Tony Leung would collaborate again on a gangster film shot in Japan. (That phrase itself conveys our enthusiasm, so I won't go into further detail.) This revelation overshadowed recent news about To and pop star Anson Lo working on a project, which had not received any updates since; fortunately, with the director attending this year's Doha Film Institute, new insights into his work have emerged.

      To and Lo (a marketing duo) have reportedly been attached to this film for three years, yet they have only filmed for about ten days so far, alongside “an older actress and a younger girl.” He shared with Variety that the untitled movie, which “discusses hope” and allegedly features Lo as a driver, has put him “in a creative impasse due to the surge of political turmoil in Hong Kong,” but it is expected to wrap up by July. One can speculate whether the political undercurrents are influencing To's reluctance to divulge specific details about the film; I look forward to learning more soon.

      This notion seems reinforced in another interview with Deadline, where To mentioned, “The story reflects Hong Kong and its people,” adding that the “perception of life and the value of everything changed” following China’s recent actions against pro-democracy protestors. This aligns with his comments regarding the Anson Lo project, stating, “I have a very rough idea, but it’s not fully developed. The first thing I need to address is my feelings about Hong Kong.” If the film is completed on schedule, To plans to begin work on his Japan film later this year; regarding Leung’s participation, he remarked, “I would like to do it with him, as he is my best friend, but I’m not sure.”

      Regardless of the time that passes, To remains “hopeful” and “optimistic” about Election 3, for which there exists no script but “numerous ideas.” While that film could only be set in Hong Kong, changes are necessary in the region—specifically related to issues with international sales, which have become increasingly less favorable for his national cinema in the current streaming era. (This connects to To’s support of Trump and tariffs, along with his mention that “America is too left-wing,” which raises questions...)

      If that project does not come to fruition, all is not lost: he hinted to Deadline about the early development of a project in Taiwan. However, details about this remain pending.