Think Romeo & Juliet… meets pizza! Those of us who saw 2014’s entertaining Toronto-made Dr. Cabbie will be thrilled to know that our friend Vinay Virmani is back again, this time as Co-Writer and Producer of LITTLE ITALY. The Rom-Com currently in production in Toronto, has taken over its namesake district these past couple weeks and suffice it to say, we can’t wait till it’s delivered!  If all the buzz on publications like Just Jared, US Weekly and The Daily Mail is any indication, you are too! 🍕

Little Italy centers on two dueling pizza shops, Vince’s and Sal’s, the families that own them and a blossoming romance between Nikki (Emma Roberts) and Leo (Hayden Christensen), whose families own the competing restaurants. It is impossible not to chuckle at the signage on-set. Vince’s claims to be the best. Sal’s? It’s even better!  There’s also a chalkboard sign greeting you at the door to remind you this in case you even think about going to Vince’s.

Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days) directs the Film, while Producers are Pauline Dhillon, Ajay Virmani and Vinay Virmani. The Film’s cast features several familiar faces including Danny Aiello, Alyssa Milano, Andrea Martin, Gary Basaraba, Adam Ferrara, Jane Seymour and more!

We had the pleasure of popping by the set to say “hi” on a couple occasions while it filmed on College St. at a showroom space transformed into the two central pizza shops for the shoot. While it filmed quietly and non-intrusively among the downtown bustle, fans would queue hours across the road with great anticipation for a taste of that star power.

We loved seeing again Christensen, whom we honestly can say is channeling full-on Italian here and this Film is him as we’ve never seen him before, having built a diverse and accomplished résumé over the years. He was just beginning a long day of work when we saw him and he was so gracious to stop for a minute to chat. Perusing Instagram, he has been more than accommodating to his still very ardent fans who were visiting the set daily.

Roberts also has been very giving too to fans and we were thrilled to have a quick minute to chat and goof around. We are a huge fan, especially in some of her more recent work like Scream Queens, The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Nerve, and we also follow her’s and partner Karah Preiss‘ awesome reading Blog, Belletrist.

And did you know that Alyssa Milano also stars in Little Italy? She was a vision sporting some super-vibrant colours and she’s just as awesome as we remember her back in 2010 when she made Sundays at Tiffany’s here in the City. She reminded fans that she will be doing a baseball-related signing next weekend here in Toronto. Follow her Instagram for more here.

Virmani, in perhaps his most ambitious challenge to date, tells us the Film wraps later this month and gave us a sincere thanks for our support and we promise to be there when Little Italy sees its release! We hope you’re just as excited as us about this one.

The Cast of Little Italy say ‘cheese’🍕!

Poppin’ by for some pizza! 🍕 So excited to see #LittleItaly starring #HaydenChristensen x #EmmaRoberts. Written and produced by our friend #VinayVirmani. Think Romeo & Juliet-meets-pizza…

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT

So much fun with this girl earlier on the set of #LittleItaly! 🍕 #EmmaRoberts

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 7:21pm PDT

With #AlyssaMilano on the set of #LittleItaly. She remains one of the most gracious, personable working actors ever.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 3:46pm PDT

With #AdamFerrara on the set of #LittleItaly. You might remember him from #NurseJackie and #TopGear?

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 3:49pm PDT

… and this Boomerang was every topping on the menu and then some!

Pizzaing with this beautiful, intelligent woman. Words cannot express my excitement to see #LittleItaly! 🍕 #EmmaRoberts (@littleitalyfilm @eonefilms @emmaroberts)

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT

p.s. She was eating a Margherita.

eOne Films will release Little Italy, out 2018.

Follow Little Italy on Social Media:

Twitter

Instagram

🍕🍕🍕

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

While it isn’t in theatres till early next year, we finally get this new tease for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER!

Synopsis:
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

See the Trailer:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT in Montreal and Toronto on Monday, June 19, 2017.

SYNOPSIS:
The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock).

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when we are called upon to make a difference. In Transformers: The Last Knight, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate your City. “Re-Tweet” this on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver a chance to see Sofia Coppola‘s THE BEGUILED on Monday, June 26, 2017.

Synopsis:
World-premiering at the 2017 Cannes International Film Festival. “The Beguiled” is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City in the comments. Tell us also about a time a good deed you did backfired.

For an extra chance, “Re-Tweet” this Tweet at @mrwillw.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE BEGUILED Friday, June 30, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Last but certainly  not least of the Canadian network Upfronts this week is the Corus Upfront which took over Rebel Night Club at the city’s waterside today.  Unveiled today were some of the media giant’s new programming offerings for their 2017/2018 line-up.  New series to appear on the Corus family of television stations include: THE SINNER, ABSENTIA, MARVEL’S RUNAWAYS, MARVEL’S CLOAK AND DAGGER, VALOR, KNIGHTFALL, THE BOLD TYPE and college-ish.

After successful runs int he past, these following series also make a return: TRANSPARENT, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, TRAVELERS, SUPERGIRL, MR. ROBOT, OUTLANDER and VIKINGS. This in addition to several additions to their lifestyle and kids’ slates including popular reality series like The Bachelor Canada and Top Chef Canada coming back, plus new and returning programs with loved and trusted stars Bryan Baeumler, Mike Holmes, Scott McGillivray, Sarah Richardson and the Scott Brothers.

See some of the names in-town to celebrate the Corus Upfront today including Shemar Moore (S.W.A.T.), LL Cool J (NCIS: Los Angeles), Lucas Till (MacGyver), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts), Eric McCormack (Travelers), Mike Vogel (The Brave) and more!

#LLCoolJ, at the #CorusUpfront for #NCISLA. #NCIS #LipSyncBattle

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 6:50pm PDT

Baby Boy! With #ShemarMoore, here at the #CorusUpfront for #SWAT!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 6:52pm PDT

#MikeVogel at #CorusUpfront for #TheBrave.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 6:54pm PDT

#LucasTill at the #CorusUpfront for #MacGyver.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 6:59pm PDT

With #JermaineFowler, of new series #SuperiorDonuts. 🍩 #CorusUpfront

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 6:57pm PDT

For more on their CORUS 2017/2018 line-up, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Corus)

There have been many successful experiments in history. Some things pair better than others.

Coffee and cream. Pizza and wings. Peanut butter and jelly. Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Princess and the turf?  Well… our A Pic by Mrwill‘s turf pairing on Victoria Day wasn’t at that level of magical, but it also wasn’t all too bad either finishing just four lengths behind the winner on the damp grass! We congratulate our friend Rachel Halden and Chiefswood Stables who were behind the race winner, Niigon’s Bay. Facing older horses for the first time, Princess did her best and at one point looked like she was gonna take the lead at the top of the stretch, although ultimately we think her forté still is the main track at Woodbine. We appreciate so much the support of the fans and betting public who bet her down from 24 to 1 all the way down to 5 to 1 odds!

We cannot thank enough also the amazing Steven Bahen for the wonderful work he’s done with Princess in her three 2017 starts to date. She has improved leaps and bounds and we credit him so much for all his expertise.

An opportunity has surfaced for Princess to be paired in her next start with Woodbine‘s leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva and we are incredibly honoured that he has accepted the mission! He has been the pilot on two out of three of the fillies who’ve beat us this year, Gertie T and Fresh Princess, and hopefully he will have that magic touch that gets Princess her much-deserved first win! Wishful thinking right?  We can’t wait to see Princess learn under Eurico (below) whom we love both as a person and an athlete! If Princess can repeat her last superb effort on the Tapeta, these girls better look out!

Princess makes her next start on Sunday’s marquee Woodbine Oaks card, cutting back to six furlongs in a Maiden Special Weight on the Tapeta surface. We expect her to move forward as many times is the case with horses who are coming off a grass race and back over to the main track.

In the meantime, our big girl has been applying herself in the mornings including a superb work under her exercise rider Joshua Scott in 48.8 seconds breezing four furlongs June 1st.  She also has been making time for her fans being the wonderful ambassador she is.  Her big fans Goki and Keisha had the chance to meet her last week finally and she was delighted, chomping away on her fave Fuji apples, while coming up for a breath now and then to greet them.  Special thanks to Tony and Sat at Woodbine who made it all possible. You guys are amazing!

See some Snaps including moments with one of Princess’ Hotwalkers Elena and Aunties Suzie & Linda:

We are so eager for Princess‘ next start and hope you are too! It is one of the best cards of the season with Queen’s Plate contenders solidifying their spots for North American horse racing’s most historic day Sunday, July 2, 2017.

Princess and I just did an interview with Alex Campbell for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine and can’t wait for you to see it…

Stay tuned.

See you Sunday! In the words of Eurico, “good luck to everybody!”. Race 5, #6.

Follow Princess:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Mixed Martial Arts legend Georges St-Pierre made a surprise visit to Toronto, a city he’s been to multiple times for work including an event for Budweiser earlier this year. St-Pierre, known as one of the greatest MMA Welterweight fighters of all time, was here to promote Arms from Nintendo Switch, a new game which lets you become a fighter with an array of different arms to choose from.

The Montreal native known affectionately by fans as GSP, was out doing the rounds including a stop at Entertainment Tonight Canada where he was nice to stop for pics with fans!

See our Snap:

With one of the greatest #MMA fighters of all time, #GeorgesStPierre! He is here to promote #Arms for #NintedoSwitch! #GSP

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

Nintendo Canada release ARMS Friday, June 17, 2017.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Nintendo)

Although he was to make it into the City last week for his latest Film THE RECALL, Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte made it here at last for a different reason. The 24-year-old actor known best for his work on that AMC series as Walter White Jr., was like his character, diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He has overcome the odds and he is here to speak about it at the 18th annual Ability and Beyond Dinner at the Royal York Hotel tonight for The March of Dimes Canada, hosted by Carolyn Mackenzie of Global Television.

After flying in to Toronto last night, Mitte did a bit of press today including Global Television’s The Morning Show about his partnership with The March of Dimes.

He was amazingly nice to stop after hopping out of his cab for a quick Snap!

Breaking Bad star #RJMitte in #Toronto tonight for #MarchofDimes. He was so nice! He also has a new Film called #TheRecall in which he stars alongside #WesleySnipes out on VOD and iTunes 6.16!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:57am PDT

More on the event here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/AMC)

Normally the biggest and flashiest of the Canadian network Upfronts, Bell Media brought out the big names introducing their upcoming 2017/2018 programming lineup on their family of television stations. Despite fewer names than prior years, the talent was not lacking in star power.

Taking over Sony Centre for the Performing Arts again this year, fans and media lined the Front Street Red carpet for a glimpse of that star power as the media giant revealed some of their exciting new selections to come this forthcoming television season!

Among their new programs unveiled include THE GIFTED, MARVEL’S INHUMANS, TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY, THE GOSPEL OF KEVIN, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE MAYOR, YOUNG SHELDON, ME, MYSELF & I, ROSEANNE (a revival!), FOR THE PEOPLE, THE CROSSING, DECEPTION, plus an untitled GREY’S ANATOMY spinoff!

The Upfronts wouldn’t be without that dazzle and in-town for the Bell Media Upfront were the likes of: Lea Michele (The Mayor), JoAnna Garcia  (The Gospel of Kevin), Bobby Moynihan (Me, Myself and I), Vanessa Williams (Daytime Divas), Stephen Moyer (The Gifted),  Jack Cutmorr-Scott (Deception), Cameron Cuffe (Krypton), Zoe Perry (Young Sheldon) and several more!

See the Snaps!  Hover left or right on post below to navigate slideshow:

(Swipe left!) More #CTVUpfront goodness! #LeaMichele #StephenMoyer #BobbyMoynihan #VanessaWilliams #JasonRitter and more here for Bell Media’s 2017/2018 programming unveiling! #CTVUpfronts

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 7, 2017 at 11:26am PDT

Legendary songstress, actress and host of upcoming talk show #DaytimeDivas, #VanessaWilliams. #CTVUpfront

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 7, 2017 at 11:02am PDT

(Swipe left!) More fresh faces at the #CTVUpfront! #CameronCuffe as Clark Kent in #Superman prequel, #Krypton, #JoAnnaGarcia from #GospelofKevin and #ZoePerry of #BigBangTheory spinoff #YoungSheldon.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 7, 2017 at 11:09am PDT

Yeah she did. #LeaMichele at the #CTVUpfront for #TheMayor. #Glee #RachelBerry

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 7, 2017 at 10:56am PDT

#StephenMoyer at #CTVUpfront for #TheGifted. #TrueBlood

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT

#JackCutmoreScott at #CTVUpfront for #Deception.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT

#LeaMichele (#TheMayor) and #JoAnnaGarcia (#TheGospelofKevin) arrive in #Toronto for #CTVUpfront.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT

#BobbyMoynihan at the #CTVUpfront with new Series #MeMyselfandI. #SNL #SaturdayNightLive

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT

For the complete 2017/2018 Bell Media line-up, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Bell Media)

It’s one of our favourite times of the year. The Upfronts are here in Toronto this week and first to go is Rogers Media, unveiling their new 2017/2018 programming lineup.  The unveiling, presented at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, brought-in some fresh and exciting new talent to the city. Colette Watson, SVP at Rogers Media says that their line-up has “something for everyone every night of the week.”.

Highlighting the schedule are five new comedies, four new dramas, three new Canadian titles, two live musical events and one fan-favourite competition series!

Rogers Media is number one targetting the 18-49 demographic with their programming and Rogers Media remains Canada’s #1 sports brand.

BAD BLOOD, GHOSTED, LA>VEGAS, THE ORVILLE and THE RESIDENT are brand new and returning or debuting on Rogers Media are SPEECHLESS, THE BLACKLIST, DANCING WITH THE STARS and VERSAILLES.

Among the series and specials returning to Rogers Media‘s lineup are LETHAL WEAPON, HELL’S KITCHEN, THE MICK, MODERN FAMILY, THE MIDDLE, MOM, THE BACHELOR, BLACK-ISH, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, FAMILY GUY, LIFE IN PIECES, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, SCORPION and NEW GIRL.

Live Musicals RENT and A CHRISTMAS STORY also will be marquee events to air.

Stars in attendance were Manish Dayal (The Resident), Edward Weeks (LA>Vegas),  Kim Matula (LA>Vegas) and Diego Klattenhoff (The Blacklist).

See some Snaps. Hover over left and right of post to navigate slideshow!

(Swipe left) So much fun ringing in Rogers’ 2017/2018 programming line-up at the #RogersUpfronts! #DiegoKlattenhoff #KimMatula #EdWeeks #ManishDayal #DinaPugliese #RogersUpfront

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT

(Swipe left!) More #RogersUpfront fun with Rogers Media’s finest!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 6, 2017 at 2:32pm PDT

For more on the complete 2017/2018 line-up and schedule, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)