Paramount+ today announced a new series order for the next chapter in the NCIS franchise, starring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, who will reprise their roles as fan-favorite characters Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo. Slated to start production later this year, the 10-episode order of the all-new NCIS spinoff – the title of which will be announced at a later date – reunites de Pablo and Weatherly on screen for the first time in 10 years. The two also will serve as executive producers alongside John McNamara (Trumbo, The Magicians), who wrote the premiere episode and will serve as showrunner. Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain and Shelley Meals also will executive produce and the series will be distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

After Ziva’s supposed death, Tony left the NCIS team to go raise their daughter. Years later, Ziva was discovered alive, leading her to complete one final mission with NCIS before she was reunited with Tony and their daughter in Paris. Since then – and where we find them in the new Paramount+ original series – Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter, Tali, together. When Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, try to figure out who is after them and maybe even learn to trust each other again so that they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after.

“We’ve been talking about this story for many years, and now with John McNamara at the helm, we are ready,” said Weatherly and de Pablo. “The world of Tony and Ziva (and daughter Tali) promises to be an action-packed roller coaster fueled by love, danger, tears and laughter. We also want to acknowledge and thank the fans from around the world who supported the ‘TIVA’ movement for years. To this day, they say hello in grocery stores and on the street to tell us how much these characters mean to them and ask what Tony and Ziva are up to now. This is for you!”

“I’m incredibly excited to step into the NCIS universe with Cote and Michael and thrilled to explore it from a few new angles,” said showrunner and executive producer John McNamara. “Given that the franchise is such a global sensation, I think it’s phenomenal that CBS Studios and Paramount+ have given us the greenlight to shoot in Europe. As to the title of this series, if I told you what it is, I’d be violating the Espionage Act.”

NCIS is the world’s most successful television franchise; in the 2022-2023 TV season, it’s estimated that the franchise had more than 300 million viewers around the world across all platforms, including broadcast, cable, streaming and syndication (according to Nielsen and internal data). Since the launch of Paramount+, the NCIS Franchise consistently has ranked among the top-five franchises on the service, in terms of hours consumed. In spring 2024, NCIS will celebrate its 1,000th episode across the franchise.

Quebec native and award-winning visionary director Denis Villeneuve brought the highly anticipated Dune: Part Two celebrations home to Montreal on February 28, 2024, delighting fans with an exclusive red-carpet screening event of the epic sci-fi adventure!

Hundreds of fans gathered in anticipation at the downtown Cineplex Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal for the Canadian stop of the global publicity tour for Dune: Part Two. Presented by Audi Canada and The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, the evening was a grandiose heartwarming homecoming for Denis as well as fellow filmmakers Producer Tanya Lapointe and Academy Award® Winning Production Designer Patrice Vermette.

The screening was introduced by one of Quebec’s top comedians and television personalities, Jay Du Temple. Jay and Denis thrilled audiences by awarding multiple trips to Hollywood as exclusive prizing to celebrate the night.

Beyond early access to watch the film in IMAX®, fans were treated to immersive photo moments, gift bags, and spice-infused takeaways courtesy of David’s Tea and Kanel.

Dune: Part Two hits theatres across Canada on March 1. Tickets are on sale now!

Celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is permanently moving its fall festival to June just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Month. Postponing the 2024 event, the new dates run from June 3-8, 2025 in Toronto and June 9-15, 2025 for the online festival.

“Our goal at imagineNATIVE is to better serve our community and deliver a better festival every year,” said Naomi Johnson, Executive Director of imagineNATIVE. “From fresh programming ideas and themes to expanding our programming to outdoor events, the June 2025 date gives us more time to support our festival’s growth.”

Leading up to the festival, imagineNATIVE will host events including extending the imagineNATIVE Tour to the end of November 2024 to help strengthen the organization and enhance the festival experience for creators and guests next year. Further programming will be announced later in the year.

This new date will also allow film submissions from 2023-2025 productions that are looking to be included in the largest Indigenous film festival in North America.

“A festival in June means we’re in a month of increased awareness about Indigenous stories, allowing us to put our filmmakers front and centre,” said Lindsay Monture, Festival Director at imagineNATIVE. “We couldn’t be more excited to see what organizations and talent imagineNATIVE gets the chance to elevate to a bigger audience in our 25th year.”

imagineNATIVE looks forward to hosting festival-goers in Toronto June 3-8, 2025, for the milestone 25th anniversary of the Film + Media Arts Festival. For additional information, please visit: imagineNATIVE.org/faq

Netflix has just released a new Trailer for ULTRAMAN: RISING! Premieres globally on Netflix June 14, 2024.

Director: Shannon Tindle
Co-director: John Aoshima
Written by: Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes
Produced by: Tom Knott, Lisa M. Poole
Cast: Christopher Sean (You, Hawaii Five-O), Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles), Tamlyn Tomita (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Keone Young (Men in Black 3, Star Wars Rebels), Julia Harriman (Camp Rock)

Director Shannon Tindle and Co-Director John Aoshima state:”Our team has worked hard to craft a story that fans and non-fans of this iconic character can enjoy. ULTRAMAN: RISING is a film for everyone. It’s a funny, action-packed, popcorn movie that tackles family, identity, and the struggle to maintain balance in an insane world. This June, we hope you’ll gather ‘round with the folks you love to see what happens when a titanic superhero rediscovers the power of family thanks to an unlikely ally- a sweet, 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju.”

Synopsis:
With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he is forced to adopt a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju. Sato must rise above his ego to balance work and parenthood while protecting the baby from forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans. In partnership with Netflix, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is written by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes, directed by Shannon Tindle, and co-directed by John Aoshima.

Epic movies. Epic series. Epic offer. Disney+ is offering the chance to stream some of the biggest blockbusters and most critically acclaimed movies and series from this year’s awards season with a special, limited-time offer.

From today, February 29, and running through March 14, 2024 new and returning customers can subscribe to Disney+ Standard With Ads for $1.99/month for three months – an $18 saving compared to the regular monthly price for three months. After three months, Disney+ Standard With Ads auto-renews at the then-current monthly retail price (currently $7.99/month) until cancelled.

There’s something for everyone on Disney+, including Searchlight Pictures’ award-winning “Poor Things” streaming March 7, gripping sci-fi action thriller “The Creator” from 20th Century Studios, and Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster “The Marvels”. “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” streams on Disney+ March 15, plus Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” coming soon.

Subscribers can also enjoy the latest epic drama, FX’s “Shōgun”, set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Critically acclaimed, award-winning series FX’s “The Bear”, which was renewed for a third season, and Season 4 of the hit Emmy®-nominated series “Only Murders in the Building”, are scheduled to make their return to Disney+ later this year.

Other titles also coming soon to Disney+ include Season 2 of the award-winning comedy series “Extraordinary” on March 6, Marvel Animation’s “X-Men ‘97” on March 20, the action-adventure fantasy series “Renegade Nell” premiering on March 29, and the upcoming limited series “Under the Bridge” based on the best-selling true-crime book of the same name by the late Rebecca Godfrey.

To redeem the offer, new and eligible returning customers can visit disneyplus.com.

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of FRENCH GIRL in Toronto on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Synopsis: 

French Girl follows Gordon Kinski, a high school teacher from Brooklyn, who goes with his girlfriend and chef Sophie Tremblay to her hometown of Quebec City where she is testing for the Michelin 3-star restaurant of super-chef Ruby Collins.

Starring: Zach Braff, Vanessa Hudgens, Evelyne Brochu, William Fichtner 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Share this Post from our IG or X account for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release FRENCH GIRL on March 7, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

After premiering at Sundance, we now get a first look at I SAW THE TV GLOW. VVS Films release this May in theatres.

Synopsis:

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Starring Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Pain

Written & Directed by Jane Schoenbrun

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Paramount+, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & 101 Studios announced that Guy Ritchie will direct and executive produce THE DONOVANS, a new series loosely based on RAY DONOVAN, one of the most watched SHOWTIME series of all time. Irish award-winning screenwriter, producer and novelist Ronan Bennett will pen all ten episodes. The series will debut on Paramount+ in Canada later this year.

With the most powerful clients in Europe, THE DONOVANS will see family fortunes and reputations at risk, odd alliances unfold, and betrayal around every corner; and while the family might be London’s most elite fixers today, the nature of their business means there is no guarantee what’s in store tomorrow.

“Guy Richie and Ronan Bennett are the ideal dream-team to create a new global hit franchise with THE DONOVANS,” said Chris McCarthy, President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Guy’s riveting and stylish directorial approach combined with Ronan’s captivating and brutally authentic writing will transfix audiences into a wild and twisted world full of new adventures.”

“We’re elated to partner with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios to reimagine the Ray Donovan legacy together. Having Guy and Ronan sign on to join us on this incredible journey has been a true blessing,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “We could not be more thrilled to take this huge hit and create a new and exciting show for audiences all over the world.”

From blockbuster success to the creation of instant cult classics, Guy Ritchie established his unique directorial brand in his breakthrough movie Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His work shares a common DNA built around exceptionally witty dialogue, stylized environments, and complex fast-paced plots. He continues to elevate his unique brand, garnering blockbuster success as director of the Sherlock Holmes franchise starring Robert Downey Jr., and Disney’s Aladdin which both grossed over $1B worldwide. He wrote and directed the instant cult classic, The Gentlemen, starring Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, and The Covenant starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. Ritchie’s iconic style goes hand in hand with incredible casting and has proven to transform any project into a Ritchie classic.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Showtime, Paramount+ and 101 Studios. We’re going to deliver a show which provides massive thrills, entertainment and a huge rush of adrenaline for audiences around the world,” said Bennett. “At the same time, I’m totally focused on exploring real characters, in body and in soul, and I’m committed to writing stories with deep dramatic impact. We’re going to get under the skin of the criminal underworld, in a way which will show you the bone-deep truths of how they live and how it sometimes will – inevitably – impact on our own lives.”

Ronan Bennett is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, journalist and novelist, whose early life run-ins with the law underpin his gripping, authentic portrayal of crime and justice. At just 19 years old, Bennett was wrongfully convicted of murder and serving life in a maximum-security prison, until 18 months later when his conviction was overturned, following legal appeals.

Bennett’s harrowing experience influenced his first major work, The Catastrophist, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Whitbread Award for best novel. His distinct point of view on the criminal underworld caught the eye of Michael Mann, who commissioned Bennett to write the screenplay for Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, which became a box office success. In 2011, Bennett created, produced and wrote all episodes of Top Boy, a crime-fueled drama series chronicling drug dealing and gang violence in London – often compared to HBO’s The Wire. The show went on to win multiple awards and ran for 5 seasons. Bennett is also the creator and showrunner of the highly anticipated TV adaptation of The Day of The Jackal, which stars Oscar Winner Eddie Redmayne and has been written by Bennett.

Guy Ritchie is represented by Matt Saver and WME. Ronan Bennett is represented by Charles Collier, Chalcot Square and CAA.

The series is executive produced by Guy Richie, Ronan Bennett, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin and Ivan Atkinson.

Today, Prime Video revealed the first look images and character descriptions for Season Two of American Rust: Broken Justice. All 10 episodes will be available on March 28, 2024, exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S., UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Returning from Season One:

Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) returns as Detective Del Harris. A complicated and compromised Pittsburgh detective who is desperately trying to make up for past wrongs but can’t seem to avoid danger at every turn.

Maura Tierney (The Affair) returns as Grace Poe. A strong-willed and brazen woman from a devastated Pennsylvania town whose loyalty to her boyfriend, Del Harris, leads her to both cover up and commit crimes of her own.

David Alvarez (West Side Story, 2021) returns as Isaac English. A young man struggling to find himself following the death of his father. His quest for happiness takes a sharp and sinister turn when a mysterious lover enters his life.

Alex Neustaedter (Colony) returns as Billy Poe. A former football star who recently served time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s reeling from the violence he experienced behind bars, struggling internally to overcome the fear and stress caused by his trauma.

Julie Mayorga (Rare Objects) returns as Lee English. A young paralegal who finds herself working for a large fracking company that she suspects is conducting nefarious business practices. Her righteous nature leads her to defy her client, ultimately putting herself in danger.

Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural) returns as Virgil Poe. Grace Poe’s philandering ex-husband and father to Billy. He takes over the town pub and makes it his mission to guide his traumatized son to closure through revenge.

Rob Yang (Succession) returns as Chief Steve Park. Buell’s newly minted Chief of Police, he’s taken the reins from Harris but has serious suspicions of his former boss’ past actions and potential crimes. Steadfast in his skepticism, he makes it his mission to bring Harris down.

Kyle Beltran (Inventing Anna) returns as Detective Fisher. A detective from Pittsburgh PD who came to interview Del about the death of his former partner Chuck Castellanos in the Season One finale and will continue digging in Season Two.

Joining the cast for Season Two:

Luna Lauren Velez (Dexter) is Detective Angela Burgos. A sharp Pittsburgh Homicide detective with a short fuse and caustic wit, she’s Del Harris’s new partner.

Nick Sandow (Orange Is the New Black) as Mike Orr. An irreverent department veteran, Mike throws his weight around to meet his needs – cutting corners and secret handshakes.

Britian Seibert (A Murder at the End of the World) as Cynthia Frazier. A working-class police officer, Cynthia takes her work seriously, despite difficult personalities and trying circumstances.

Marc Menchaca (Ozark) is Vic Walker. Cynthia’s boyfriend on the Force, this seemingly-genial cop has a dark side — and he’s a member of Mike Orr’s squad.

Christopher Denham (Billions) as Russell Wolff. A management-level employee at Landwill Energy. He can easily occupy two worlds, and is equally comfortable around executives in the C-suite and blue-collar workers at a job site.

Amelia Workman (FBI) as Rinna Bransford. Rinna is a smart, well-dressed attorney with an upscale law firm. She’s handling the Landwill Energy case, and she and her mentee, Lee English, are getting buried in paperwork.

Leon Addison Brown (The Knick) as Chief Bolt. A tough precinct chief with the Pittsburgh Police Department.

Sara Lindsey (High Desert) as Maya Park. Artsy, smart, and self-assured, she is the wife of Steve Park.

ABOUT THE SERIES

American Rust: Broken Justice takes us back to the fictional small town of Buell, Pennsylvania. Del Harris (Daniels) and Grace Poe (Tierney) try to rebuild their lives after the harrowing events of Season One. Season Two picks up with a string of seemingly unrelated murders, hinting at a much larger conspiracy that threatens everyone in this small, tight-knit town.

Based on Philipp Meyer’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, the first season of American Rust premiered on Showtime, exploring the tattered American Dream in a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania through the eyes of police chief Del Harris. Harris becomes compromised when the son of the woman he loves (Tierney) is accused of murder, and he is forced to decide what he’s willing to do to protect him.

American Rust: Broken Justice is executive produced by Dan Futterman, Adam Rapp, Jeff Daniels, Paul Martino, Michael De Luca, Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Nick Nantell, Katie O’Connell Marsh, and Elisa Ellis.

American Rust: Broken Justice is produced and distributed globally by Boat Rocker.

About Boat Rocker:

Today, Prime Video announced it has ordered Benito Skinner’s Overcompensating to series. Skinner (pictured above, left) will write, star, and executive produce with Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, and Ali Goodwin of Strong Baby. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Charli XCX (pictured above, right) will produce original music for the series. Overcompensating is co-produced by A24 and Amazon MGM Studios and set to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Overcompensating is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen, a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.

“The moment we heard this story from Benny, we knew it was an irresistible, bold story that would captivate and inspire our global Prime Video customers,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development, Amazon MGM Studios. “We look forward to Benito’s laugh-out-loud series coming to life with original music from Charli XCX and all the talented teams involved at A24 and Strong Baby who consistently deliver beautifully executed storytelling.”

“I am so honored and excited to be partnering with Prime Video, A24, and Strong Baby to bring you Overcompensating,” said Skinner. “I wrote this pilot four years ago in an attempt to make people laugh, feel a little less alone, and maybe to work through some residual college trauma. Since then, the project has found the perfect partners and we are all so excited for people to see this show we love so much. I also want to thank Charli XCX for not being freaked out when I asked her if she would do the music before even introducing myself. Highly recommend! Mom and Dad… I’m going back to college!”

Skinner can be recognized from his viral characters and sketches under the name Benny Drama, where he has collaborated with Jennifer Aniston, Kourtney Kardashian, Drew Barrymore, and others. One of Variety’s “Comics to Watch,” he will next be seen co-starring alongside Chelsea Peretti, Amy Poehler, Kate Berlant, and Meg Stalter in the feature film First Time Female Director. Skinner also recently completed a nationwide live-theater tour of his beloved podcast, Ride, alongside co-host Mary Beth Barone. Other television appearances include Queer as Folk and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Benito Skinner created the series, will write, and executive produce. Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, and Ali Goodwin will executive produce for Strong Baby, and Charli XCX will serve as executive music producer. The series is produced by A24 and Amazon MGM Studios.