Toronto received a great treat today with British Thespian Richard Armitage visiting Toronto for the Canadian leg of the Press Tour for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  Appearing bright and early at Union Station this morning to present an installation by Warner Bros.’ which includes visuals from the eagerly-awaited Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) Blockbuster.  100 devout Fans – many who got the tip here – were lucky enough to score passes to tonight’s Canadian Premiere from our Friend Maurie Sherman from KISS 92.5.

The Method Actor is a familiar face to many having landed a role in last year’s Captain America: The First Avenger, but it is his breakthrough role as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit Trilogy which will make Armitage a household name.  Arriving at the Station shortly after 8:00 AM amidst the bustle of  Commuter Traffic, he caused a commotion among Onlookers, many asking “Who is that?”.  Oh trust me, they’ll soon know.

Armitage appeared dapper and handsome in vest and suit with all eyes migrating towards his blue eyes – looking like a perfect Cousin to Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor.  Generously he posed for Photos and Autographs with Fans new and old. An interesting tidbit is that he happens also to be a Multi-Instrumentalist, playing both the Flute and Cello.

Fans are welcome to visit the Roots Flagship Store at 100 Bloor Street West throughout the day where Passes will be handed-out to the Premiere.  For one day only, the Shop will be hosting Lenticular Displays for The Hobbit, so don’t fret – it’s not too late! Word is, at some point the Actor might even surface at the Store…

So I happened to nab an Autograph for one lucky Reader.  All you have to do is click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013 to enter. Good luck. All are welcome!

Warner Bros. releases The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Friday, December 14, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Teen Hearthrob Austin Mahone just gained a whole lot of new Fans this weekend with an appearance at MuchMusic‘s first-ever The Jingle Bell at Air Canada Centre performing alongside Bridgit Medler (who we spotted yesterday), Carly Rae Jepsen and The Wanted, among others. Mahone, who not unlike Justin Bieber, gained popularity virally and in just one year after getting discovered online, he now is signed to Universal Republic in the U.S.

The 16-year-old just released his brand new Single today, Say You’re Just a Friend (ft. Flo Rida), sampling its Hook from Biz Markie‘s 1989 Hit Just a Friend/Freddie Scott‘s 1968 Hit You Got What I Need.

I spotted Mahone – whose growing legion of Fans are known as Mahomies – earlier today grabbing some Breakfast with his Mom and two Bodyguards, one who was super-nice to snap a Photo of us.  His Mom, always looking-out reminded him to keep his Drink lower not to be in the Photo, but as always, Boys will be Boys!

Check-out Mahone‘s catchy Single Say You’re Just a Friend below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Universal Music)

Love this Girl!  Just having released her Universal Music Canada debut Disc, My Name Is last month, Bridgit Mendler makes her third visit to the City in three months, practically calling Toronto a second home now.  The multi-talented Actress/Singer flew-in late last night for an appearance today at MuchMusic‘s inaugural  The Big Jingle – think Toronto’s version of New York’s annual Z100 Jingle Ball.  The day-long Concert held at Air Canada Centre featured super-hot Talents like Carly Rae Jepsen, Cody Simpson, Austin Mahone and Headliners, The Wanted.  It is said that the latter caused quite a ruckus among Fans waiting at their Yorkville Hotel earlier this evening, according to Fan reports.

I spotted a more-Brunette-than-before Mendler having some low-key fun with Friends, playing Board Games with her Friends in the south-end of the City. Still donning her Stage Makeup, but relaxed in a Hoodie, she was super-sweet to stop and do a Snap before quickly tending back to her Friends who were breaking-out in a little Jam Session when I saw them.  Mendler soon will be taking a break from Music to begin her studies at the University of Southern California next Spring!

In case you missed The Big Jingle, catch Highlights of the Show right here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

No surprises here!  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 reigns for a third consecutive week on traditionally what is known as a post-U.S. Thanksgiving slump at the Box Office.  The final installment in the Franchise earns $17.2 million this weekend for Summit Entertainment/eOne Films, from 4,008 theatres across North America –  now grossing over $253 million in its domestic Run.

Skyfall certainly is no slouch and continues to perform exceedingly well even in its fourth week , hanging-on in second spot with $17 million for Sony Pictures, ahead of a resilient Lincoln in third with $13.3 million fod Walt Disney Studios  Motion Pictures.

Animated Feature Rise of the Guardians lands in fifth with $13.2 million for Paramount Pictures, just ahead of 20th Century Fox’s Life of Pi 3-D lands in fifth spot in its second week with $11.4 million.

Killing Them Softly which received positive feedback at Cannes in May opens in 2,424 theatres for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films with $6.8 million, which is slightly below expectations, but yet also expected on a weekend where Titles opening wide traditionally haven’t done well.

The extremely well-reviewed (90% at Rotten Tomatoes) Silver Linings Playbook in its second week of release in only 371 theatres earns $3.1 million.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and wouldn’t have made it through without the amazing care of Mount Sinai Hospital.  In 2009 I gave-back by launching my Save Lives with Your New Profile Pic Initiative where together we contributed a generous donation to the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation.

It feels good to give and the SickKids Foundation supports a variety of programs which I stand behind firmly. I’m calling on you my Friends to take part in my latest Social Media Fundraiser, Mr. Will’s Collages for Kids, where for a minimum Donation of $40, we will do a quick 10-minute Photoshoot of you, to be turned into your own individual Collage.  This will be sent back to you digitally within 24 hours.

The more the merrier this Holiday Season, so if you wanted to do  Group Collages, this can be arranged for an additional $15 per person.  Photoshoots will take place in the Greater Toronto Area and with the City in festive spirits this Holiday Season, it shouldn’t be hard to find somewhere fun! The Initiative runs throughout the month of December 2012, with all proceeds going to the SickKids Foundation‘s Possibilities Fund, catering to  the Hospital for Sick Children‘s most pressing needs.

If you’re Photo-shy, that’s totally fine also.  Cash Donations can be routed (click here) from December through January and Tax Receipts will be provided upon request for contributions meeting a minimum $20.00.

To RSVP, simply E-mail here right away.  Don’t be shy and create awareness by sharing this on Facebook and Twitter!   Look forward to hanging with you soon!

xMr. Will

He’s totally here!  Charismatic Chef and TV Personality Guy Fieri is currently in Toronto filming episodes for his hit Food Network Series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and he sure knew where to go, hitting-up Hotspots like The Lakeview earlier in the week and now Caplansky’s in Little Italy earlier today.  Onlookers including our trusty Contributor B was right in the thick of it all, getting to see in-person, Fieri’s Camaro donning that famous license plate reading “FLVRTWN”.  No City is more flavourful than Toronto. That’s right.

Of course, in addition to business being on the agenda, Fieri also is here to do some good, hosting his Chef’s Challenge for a Cure Fundraiser called in support of the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation Friday night at Royal York Hotel.  Celebrity Chefs Chuck Hughes, Mark McEwan and Lynn Crawford are among the names to be partaking in the fun. Click here to read more.  

 (Photo credit: B via Mr. Will Wong)

Get ready, Toronto!  Next Monday, December 3, 2012, Star of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Richard Armitage will be visiting the City for the Canadian Leg of Blockbuster’s Press Tour.  Armitage, who plays Thorin Oakenshield in the Series, will be appearing at Union Station at 7:00 AM where an installation for the Film also will be unveiled.  KISS 92.5 will be on-hand to give-out a total 100 Passes to attend the Premiere later that night.  Official Prize Packs and 25%-off Roots Coupons will be handed-out also!

In addition, Roots’ Flagship Store (100 Bloor Street West) will hosting for one day only, an Exhibit in celebration of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Apple Cider will be served! More Passes to the Premiere will be won!

Warner Bros. releases The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Wednesday, December 14, 2012.   Watch the Trailer here. Super-stoked for this Release!  Warner Bros. are bringin’ the Star Power back to this City! 

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

Premiering last night during The X Factor, the Official Video for Scream & Shout from will.i.am and Britney Spears is now before us. Minimalist in the flashiest sense of the word and simply black, gold and white, Spears looks glamorous and vampy here, but leaves most of the moves for the Dancers, disappointingly.  Looks great, nonetheless.  Certain this Track will be a Smash.  In Canada already, it’s reached number 39 on the Canadian Hot 100!

Watch the Video in full below:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Now this is cool!  Acclaimed Director/Writer Whit Stillman is set to visit Toronto mid-December to present his first two Films, Metropolitan (Wednesday, December 12, 2012) and The Last Days of Disco (Thursday, December 13, 2012) – the latter a personal Favourite of mine! 

Stillman will be introducing both Films and also appearing at a Q&A afterward with Fans.  The Appearances are part of Little Italy Theatre The Royal‘s The Seventh Art Live Director Series.

For Advance Tickets ($15), click here.  Tickets will be available at the door for $20.

(Photo credit: Seventh Art)