[2025.08.26] JOHNNIE TO ANNOUNCES NEW FILM PRODUCTION NEXT YEAR AT A HOKKAIDO BASEBALL GAME

Johnnie To throws out the opening pitch at a Hokkaido baseball game in a number 22 jersey and greets the crowd in Japanese
courtesy of mingpao.com

Director Johnnie To Kei Fung appeared at the Hokkaido Baseball Stadium ES CON FIELD on Sunday (24th) and served as the opening guest in the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks game. To Kei Fung put on the No. 22 jersey and threw out the first pitch heroically. After the pitch he excitedly raised his arms and bowed to the fans. He then greeted everyone in Japanese to say good afternoon, which drew cheers from the audience. He said that when he first visited ES CON FIELD baseball stadium in the winter, "it was covered with snow, and I still remember that this black landmark stood out in the pure white scenery." To Kei Fung announced that he will be filming at ES CON FIELD, "I plan to start filming a new movie in July next year, and I hope to shoot at ES CON FIELD. I hope everyone will look forward to it." The fans at the game were excited and cheered warmly. Japanese media described To Kei Fung as "a world-class film director from Hong Kong", "a giant in the Hong Kong film industry", and "a world-class VIP", and some online lamented, "I regret not going today!"

Since directing THREE (SAM YUN HUNG) in 2016, To Kei Fung has been preparing for a new film for nearly 10 years. At the beginning of this year Japanese media reported that To Kei Fung appeared in Sapporo to scout locations for the new work, and even went to ES CON FIELD to inspect the environment. At the time the venue on the electronic display wrote "Welcome to ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO Director Johnnie To". There was speculation that the movie To Kei Fung mentioned would be a new film with Tony Leung Chiu Wai, as the two would collaborated again 27 years after THE LONGEST NITE (UM FA).