The film, which premiered on 1/10 during China's National Day holiday, garnered approximately 4,5 million yuan (17,5 billion VND). Its daily revenue consistently declined, placing it among the least successful of the 10 films competing at the box office during that period.

According to Sinchew, the film's team announced the cancellation of "Mastermind" screenings, stating they would await a more opportune moment for its return. In a statement posted on their fanpage, a production representative wrote: "We are seriously listening to feedback from all parties to refine and perfect the film. When market conditions are more favorable, we hope to reconnect with audiences with a more mature and polished work".

Louis Koo (right) and Shu Sa in "Mastermind". Photo: *Weibo/Mastermind Movie*

Despite its withdrawal from mainland China, the film is still scheduled to premiere in Hong Kong on 8/10. At the Hong Kong premiere on 6/10, director Kong Ling Zheng explained that "Mastermind" is a Cantonese-language film, tailored for Cantonese-speaking audiences. Actor Ren Da Hua expressed his respect for the distributor's decision to pull the film, emphasizing the team's shared goal of fostering Hong Kong cinema.

"Mastermind" centers on a thrilling missing person case, with Louis Koo starring as an investigating police officer. The cast also includes Shu Sa, Ren Da Hua, and Xie Jun Hao. Louis Koo's company invested nearly 100 million HKD (12,7 million USD) in the project.

Scene from "Mastermind". Video: *Weibo/Mastermind Movie*

On the Douban forum, the film received a score of 4,3/10, with most viewers giving one or two stars out of a possible five. Many comments criticized the work as disjointed and its plot as loose.

Louis Koo has been active in the entertainment industry for 30 years, renowned for numerous TVB series including *Detective Investigation Files IV*, *At the Threshold of an Era*, *A Step into the Past*, and *The Return of the Condor Heroes 1995* (where he played Yang Guo alongside Li Ruo Tong). Since the 2000s, he has primarily focused on film roles.

In 2013, Louis Koo and his mother co-founded a film investment and production company. This company has since released several notable works, including *Line Walker*, *Anita*, *Warriors of Future*, *Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In*, and *A Step into the Past*.

Nhu Anh