ENTERTAINMENT
Astro Shaw to Expand Keluang Man Universe with New Film Baling & Astro Originals Live-Action Series
The nationwide release of Keluang Man on May 29, marked the long-awaited return of Malaysia’s original superhero in a live-action format as well as the catalyst for the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe (ASCU), which was first announced last year.
The film has resonated deeply with audiences across the country, celebrated for its nostalgic ‘90s aesthetic and a soundtrack that proudly reflects Malaysian identity along with a strong performance by lead actor Nas Muammar Zar (Nas-T), whose portrayal of Borhan, better known as Keluang Man has captivated audiences with his unique acting style and heartfelt performance.
While the film’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, it has also sparked renewed interest in the future of the Keluang Man franchise and the broader ASCU and what we can expect from the franchise in the future.
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Baling & Astro Originals live action series
In a roundtable discussion, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, head of Astro Shaw, confirmed that the franchise will continue with a new film titled Baling, which will be the next entry in the ASCU.
“While Keluang Man was based on the original 90s animation by Kamn Ismail, Baling will draw from a folklore that many Malaysians may find familiar. It will incorporate elements of a Malaysian story that audiences might recognise,” she said, adding, “It is going to be darker than Keluang Man.”
Jastina also confirmed that Baling will have themes of horror and action and will be much more serious in comparison to Keluang Man which had several comedic elements sprinkled throughout the movie.
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In addition to Baling, the Keluang Man story will expand with a live-action series. According to Jastina, the upcoming series won’t be a direct continuation of the film, but rather a fresh take on the character especially with Keluang Man 2 planned for the future.
“It’s not a continuation; it’s something fresh, though the character of Borhan will still be there. This is the next stage of Keluang Man, and it's slightly different from how we're approaching the next chapter of Keluang Man, which will be presented as an original series,” said Jastina.
Director Anwari Ashraf will return to helm the series, which is currently in development. The release is tentatively planned for late next year or early the following year, though no official date has been confirmed.
As for the larger ASCU, Jastina reaffirmed that the cinematic universe is progressing as planned, with a major crossover film slated for 2028.
“There are no changes in terms of what we’re planning to deliver. It’s just that we might add a few things or move some elements forward.”
Keluang Man at the box office
Meanwhile, one of the big questions surrounding the Keluang Man movie is how well it's performed at the box office. While Astro Shaw has yet to release official figures, Jastina emphasised that the film wasn’t created solely to chase box office numbers. Instead, it represents a bold step toward reshaping the local film landscape and introducing new creative directions for Malaysian cinema.
“It’s time for us to stop relying solely on gross box office (GBO). With the universe, it’s really about going beyond box office performance. If we depend only on GBO, it’s like putting all our eggs in one basket. If we want to do something bold and different and bring new genres to the audience, we need to think bigger.”
Featured Image Credit: Astro Shaw