After a long wait for it, Darren Aronofsky‘s Noah finally sees a release and paddles right past the competition at the Box Office for Paramount Pictures this weekend with $44 million from 3,567 theatres across North America.  Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Logan Lerman, the Biblical Drama looks well on its way quickly to recouping its $160 million budget, earning also $51.1 million overseas. Critics gave it a 75% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences on the contrary surprisingly gave it a C CinemaScore.

After a huge debut last weekend, Divergent still is going strong in second with $26.5 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. In its two week run domestically, the Action-Fantasy starring Theo James and Shailene Woodley has made in excess of $95 million.

Muppets Most Wanted in its second week out earns $11.9 million for Disney, just surpassing the $30-million mark and good enough for third spot, while former Champ Mr. Peabody and Sherman still continues to perform well in fourth for 20th Century Fox, earning $9.6 million in its fourth week out.  To date it has grossed $96 million in these parts. Wes Anderson‘s star-studded The Grand Budapest Hotel in fifth with $8.8 million from only 977 theatres in its fourth week out.

Sabotage debuts in seventh with $5.2 million for Open Road Films. The Action Film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to open in Canada.  Critics gave it a B CinemaScore, although Critics didn’t think much of it with a 22% CinemaScore.

300: Rise of an Empire finds itself in ninth spot with $4.3 million, just surpassing the $100-million mark domestically in its fourth week out.

Non-Stop rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.2 million for Universal Pictures in its fifth week out, nearing-in on the $90-million mark.

Amazing to be in the presence of royalty. Olympic Royalty, that is! Sisters Chloe, Maxime and Justine Dufour-Lapointe are in Toronto today to tell us all about their medal-winning performances in Moguls Skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The Dufour-Lapointe Sisters were spotted arriving for their appearance at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). “No, sorry we don’t have time for Photos or Autographs”, a Handler advised, before eldest Sister Maxine made the decision to snap a quick Photo. Understandably after a long run since returning home from Sochi, they’ve probably fulfilled their share of Fan moments. Although we got photobombed, the were so nice to stop and do a second Snap!  Justine  brought home the gold for Canada this year, while Chloe got us a silver.  Maxime still made us proud making it against the odds to the Olympics!

The Sisters also were travelling with fellow Freestyle Skiier Mikael Kingsbury, who won a Silver Medal along with gold medal-winning fellow Canadian Alexandre Bilodeau.

Our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Canadian Press)

What an amazing surprise I received at work today! Partnering together with Pizza Hut, Paramount Pictures Canada want us to know about the amazing new TMNT Trailer!

While absorbed at my desk, I received a tap on the shoulder to turn around and see a friendly Delivery Woman from PIZZA HUT, handing me a large, cheesy, doughy, savoury Pizza! Upon closer analysis of the Box, I realize this was a Promo for a Movie I’m eagerly looking forward to! I became the most popular Guy at the Office!

I was in New York last May and remember everyone being excited about TMNT filming, so I’m super-excited it’s almost ready too to be delivered!

To watch it, click here!

Enter the Secret Code: OOZE

Anybody who grew-up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles know much our boys love their Pizza and what a fun, appropriate and festive way to ring-in the occasion!

Paramount Pictures release TMNT on Friday, August 8, 2014.

See the fun:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Paramount Pictures)

Growing up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, it was impossible to avoid the powerful, resonating vocals of New York-born Diva, Taylor Dayne (nee Leslie Wunderman). Singles like Tell it to my Heart, Don’t Rush Me, With Every Beat of my Heart and the ever-moving Love Will Lead You Back have a timelessness to them which still to this day have a home on the Dancefloor and Adult Contemporary Radio.

The still-gorgeous Actress/Songstress is in town for a Show tonight at the Living Arts Centre and on a super-rare occasion, she did a round of Interviews early today promoting it with visits to CITY‘s Breakfast Television and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). Looking a vision of perfection in red, it is somehow as if time had stood still as somehow she looks even more stunning than in the ’80s!

Dayne performed on Breakfast Television (watch here) after sitting down for a Chat with Dina Pugliese, before heading-off to her appearance on The Morning Show. Despite it being beyond freezing, she gestured to her many ardent fans outside the window, assuring them she’d be out momentarily to greet them. And she did!

You can always tell by the gleam in my eyes when I’m that extra-bit excited about meeting someone and I’ve waited my whole life to meet Taylor Dayne!

See our Snap:

Follow Dayne on Twitter here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After premiering at TIFF ’13, THE GREAT BEAUTY now sees a Home Video release! Mongrel Media and Mr. Will Wong want you to win a copy of the stunning Film.

Official Synopsis:
Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il divo and Gomorrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the City`s literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.

See the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook! You’re encouraged to share with Friends on Social Media!

Mongrel Media releases Tuesday, APRIL 8, 2014 on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital & On-Demand.

Pre-order here!

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong wants to give Toronto Readers a chance to see the creepy AFFLICTED on Wednesday, March 26,  2014. The Canadian-made Horror premiered at TIFF ’13 as part of its historic MIDNIGHT MADNESS Program, spooking Audiences still to this day!

Official Synopsis:

Best Friends Derek (Derek Lee) and Clif Prowse and Clif (Clif Prowse) decide to set out on a trip together to go to the ends of the earth and live life to the fullest, while recording their adventure on video and uploading it for their Friends back home.

But just a few days into the trip, Clif finds Derek unconscious and covered in blood in their hotel room. Derek brushes off the incident at first, but then he begins to change. Although he’s on the verge of starvation, he’s unable to eat. He gains super strength and is able to crack rocks with his fists.

Thousands of miles from home, in a foreign land, they have to find out what it is that’s attacking his body before it consumes him completely.

Watch the Trailer:

Enter to win by clicking “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Your are encouraged to share this Post with Friends via Social Media. Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/afflicted @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Screening Passes in #Toronto to see #AFFLICTED! Out 4/4 in #Toronto!

Good luck.

eOne Films release AFFLICTED in Toronto on Friday, April 4, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Everyone’s been whispering about it, but dates finally have been confirmed for REGRESSION, due to film in Toronto. The Thriller from Director/Writer Alejandro Amenábar (The Others) stars both Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson, centering on a Father who is accused of a crime he has no recollection of committing.

To be distributed by The Weinstein Co.’s Dimension Films, the Film has been pencilled-in for an August 2015 release date.  Production tentatively is set to run from April 15 through June 12, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Sorry, I couldn’t resist, okay? You all know how much I love Charlie Hunnam and I know with certainty the feeling is mutual on your end judging by last week’s responses.   We spotted Hunnam again today returning from a grocery run and he was amazing to stop for a couple returning Fans.  Quickly dropping-off his groceries, he came back as promised, taking a moment to sign some Autographs and chat.  He simply is the nicest, most giving and generous Celebrity I’ve ever encountered and I think he sensed how genuine our excitement was.

This is where my jaw drops.  Hunnam recognized me actually last week from the first time we met two years ago and tells me that Guillermo Del Toro‘s Assistant had let him know about my Post last week.  “‘I see you met Will Wong‘”,  Hunnam was told, to which he replied, “But that was only 12 hours ago!  How did you know?!”.   He went on to tell me, “I didn’t know you were a Local Celebrity, Will Wong!”.  Humbled.

Absolutely unexpected, he then passed me his v. last Sons of Anarchy Autograph Card, which of course I will ensure a lucky Fan has to chance to win, but let me finish telling my Story first.  Also, did you know that Hunnam recently did a slight modification to his Signature?

Anyhow, Hunnam tells me that he still loves visiting his fave local Spot for Thai, in fact just having had Dinner there last night.  I made him aware though that the Team behind the Restaurant originally had relocated to a new Spot a little more east in the City.  He jot down the name on his iPhone and promised to give it a try!  Laughs were shared, hearts were warmed, memories were made.

Without revealing too many details about Crimson Peak, Hunnam says, “It’s more a Horror, with Supernatural elements”.  Enough said.  We’ll just have to see next October.

On the other side of town, Hunnam‘s Crimson Peak Castmates Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston were out celebrating the two-time Oscar Nominee’s Birthday at Brassaii, followed by some festive Ping Pong and Karaoke.  You must see the amazing Photos Chastain shared on her Facebook Page here!

I admit I did see Hiddleston out and about too this weekend, but he declined politely to stop but still was gracious about it, clasping his hands in a prayer-like motion of appreciation.  I’ve had great experiences prior with him and certainly know when to stop and respect his boundaries – sorry to disappoint those of you asking repeatedly for his updates!

Now back to Hunnam. He is amazing and we promise to leave him alone! To enter to win that ultra-rare Sons of Anarchy Autograph Card, simply click “like” on this corresponding Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Good luck!

Crimson Peak wraps mid-May.

See this super-neat Instagram Post we did of Hunnam:

Mr. Will & The Cast and Director of CRIMSON PEAK:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

There was no stopping Divergent from taking the top of the Box Office this weekend, an easy Winner across North America with $56 million grossed from 3,936 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  The Adaptation of the first Novel in a Series by Veronica Roth, might not have fared well with Critics (44% on the Tomatometer), but Audiences gave it a resounding A CinemaScore.  It will be interesting to see how the Film fares in coming weeks as hardcore Fans of the Books likely all have flocked to the theatres this weekend accounting for much of these numbers.  The production budget for the Action-Fantasy was $85 million, well on its way to recouping this back.

Second best is Muppets Most Wanted, the latest Film in the revived Franchise from Disney.  The star-studded Musical-Comedy brought-in $16.5 million from 3,194 theatres  in its debut, below expectations. Critics gave it a great 75% on the Tomatometer and Audiences were on-par with a B+ CinemaScore.

Former Champ Mr. Peabody and Sherman slips to third spot this weekend with $11.7 million for 20th Century Fox. To date it has earned $80 million in three weeks, just ahead of 300: Rise of an Empire, also a former Number One Film, in fourth with $8.7 million for Warner Bros.

Opening in a surprising fifth is God’s Not Dead starring some of the Cast of Duck Dynasty.  The Dramedy which is showing exclusively in the U.S. right now, opens with $8.6 million from only 780 theatres.

The Grand Budapest Hotel continues to perform tremendously in seventh with $6.8 million for Fox Searchlight. The star-studded Opus from Writer/Director Wes Anderson, has made $12 million in its three-week limited run.

Tyler Perry’s Single Moms Club rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, in it second week out.

YASSSSSSSSSSSSS!  Although it took quite a while for it to surface, this self-directed Video, errr… I mean Artpop Film, is the proper re-introduction the World deserved, to Lady Gaga.  After multiple misfires, she certainly took her time and did it right and this Clip for gender-bending new Single G.U.Y. is absolute perfection.  Undoubtedly, the best Music Video I’ve seen in quite some time.

Although it poses a challenge to make Music Videos for each individual Track featured in this Montage of Tracks, Gaga gives us a bit of each in this out-of-this-World exploration of Versace, High Fashion, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, a god named Andy Cohen and breathtaking Choreography.  This is the Lady Gaga we fell in love with and as a huge Fan myself, I feel incredible validation having stood by our Mother Monster.  Floored.

Without further ado, you must feast your eyes on this Masterpiece:

Download ARTPOP on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)