Jay Chou in Kung Fu Panda 3

In his first voice role in an animated movie, Jay Chou is voicing the character Monkey for the China release of Kung Fu Panda 3, according to reports. The pop star is taking over the part from Jackie Chan, who voices the biological father of panda Po in the Mandarin version of the new movie. The film is set for release in China on Jan 29.

Taiwan film to open Singapore Film Festival

The 26th Singapore International Film Festival will open on Nov 26 with Taiwan's Panay, a drama about the predicaments faced by an aboriginal community on the issue of land rights. Directed by the inter-ethnic duo Cheng Yu-chieh and Lekal Sumi, it won the Audience Choice Award at this year's Taipei Film Festival.

It will screen at Marina Bay Sands. Ticket sales begin at the end of next month.

Refunds for cancelled Kina Grannis show

American singer-songwriter Kina Grannis cancelled her show at the Marina Bay Sands MasterCard Theatre here hours before it was to start yesterday. According to a press release from the gig organiser, she and her team were unable to travel to their scheduled show in Singapore as well as earlier shows in Taipei and Hong Kong due to unforeseen circumstances. Buyers who paid for tickets ranging from $65 to $484 can get their refunds from Sistic and MBS ticketing.

Combs is highest paid hip-hop star

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, 45, led Forbes' list of the world's highest paid stars in hip-hop music on Tuesday. The rapper made an estimated US$60 million (S$85 million) for the year till June from investments outside of music, including his TV network Revolt and Ciroc vodka. At No. 2 was rap mogul Jay Z, 45, with US$56 million while Canadian rapper Drake, 28, came in at No. 3 with US$39.5 million.