Alexander Skarsgard
#INTERVIEW: ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD, BRANDON CRONENBERG, AMANDA BRUGEL AND JOHN RALSTON ON “INFINITY POOL”
Following on the critical acclaim of 2020’s POSSESSOR, Toronto Filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg, son of legendary David Cronenberg, follows-up with INFINITY POOL. The Sci-Fi Horror which he writes and directs just premiered at Sundance to warm reception.
Starring Alexander Skarsgård (who also serves as Executive Producer) as James Foster, who ventures to a resort with his partner Em (Cleopatra Coleman). They then discover a culture of brutality, greed and violence. James is seduced by an unhinged woman named Gabi (Mia Goth) and he is faced with a choice to be executed or watch himself die.
We’ve never seen anything like this. You’ve been warned.
A tremendous privilege getting to chat with Cronenberg, Skarsgård, along with Toronto screen veterans Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale) and John Ralston (Ginny & Georgia) as the Red Carpet was rolled-out for the shocker’s Toronto Premiere. Our Amanda Gilmore joined them for a chat.
Amanda Brugel describes her character Jennifer for us.
Brugel: “I play Jennifer, I’m one of the people at the resort who takes full advantage of what it’s like to have a lot of money, doing a lot of bad deeds. I go there with my husband a lot. It’s wealthy people behaving badly and privilege without having respect for anyone else. I usually play people who are a little more grounded, more kind or altruistic. I really wanted to go the other direction and get paid to be a jerk.”.
John Ralston, supported at the Premiere by his family, sheds some light on his Dr. Modan.
Ralston: “My character is Dr. Modan. There’s a group of six of us who move through this Film and provide a great foundation for Mia Goth‘s character, who lures Alexander Skarsgård‘s character James Foster into this group and embarks on this wild introduction to this no-holds-barred, hedonistic journey that this group takes him on. This group comes back year after year and when you watch the Movie, you’ll see why.”.
Brandon Cronenberg takes us through his Sundance experience, where he also premiered Possessor.
Cronenberg: “We went to Sundance, nothing weird happened at all, and then we went to Sundance again! It felt really good to be back at a live festival with people again after the Pandemic. I’m a hermit and don’t like being surrounded by people even, but being around people who love films and presenting it to a warm crowd was pretty exciting.”.
Cronenberg is asked about the first thought that inspired INFINITY POOL.
Cronenberg: “The scene early on that’s kinda an execution scene where someone’s been doubled and the double is standing in for them in this execution. Stop here if you don’t want any Spoilers. That was actually the beginning of it. It was actually a short story I was working on, it was that scene where someone was watching themself. The resort and stuff came after as I was developing it.”.
Alexander Skarsgård just made it into Toronto amidst our snowstorm, from New York, landing on the tarmac and onto the Red Carpet at Scotiabank Theatre. He signed-on to star in and produce the Film while he was working on The Northman. This role is what he calls a perfect follow-up after prepping two years for that Film.
Skarsgård tells us about his magical experience at Sundance.
Skarsgård: “It was an experience I’ll never forget. It was 48 crazy hours, non-stop. We did the Midnight Madness screening, which I hadn’t done before, where you screen it at midnight and do a Q&A at 2:30 in the morning. It was the first time I’d watched the Movie on a big screen with an audience. I couldn’t sleep when I got back. The room was vibrating. It was a very memorable experience.”.
He explains what it is about INFINITY POOL that made him want to sign-on also as an Executive Producer.
Skarsgård: “From the moment I read the Script and met with Brandon, I really believed in the project. And I really love Brandon and wanted to do whatever I could to help promote the project and push it. It’s rare to come across such a unique talent like Brandon and a crazy, wild story. Sometimes there’s such a conformity when you read a Script and it’s derivative. This Film’s so crazy, unique and anarchistic in a fun way.”.
Everybody is talking about Mia Goth‘s spellbinding performance as Gabi. Skarsgård has nothing but raves for the star of the X Trilogy.
Skarsgård: “Mia‘s the best. She’s so lovely and sweet, a real dream to work with and obviously supremely-talented. And a perfect Gabi because she has such a sweet, innocent demeanour. And then the character’s so fucked-up – pardon my French – and goes unhinged in such a crazy direction. That’s really, really interesting in this Movie.”.
A Gallery of Snaps:
See our Chat (11-minute version):
6-minute version:
Elevation Pictures release INFINITY POOL January 27, 2023.
Our Review here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO THE TORONTO PREMIERE OF “INIFINITY POOL”
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to the Toronto Premiere of INFINITY POOL on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 7pm, Scotiabank Theatre. The screening will include a special Q&A with Brandon Cronenberg & Alexander Skarsgård.
Synopsis:
While staying at an isolated island resort, James (Alexander Skarsgård) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) are enjoying a perfect vacation of pristine beaches, exceptional staff, and soaking up the sun. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi (Mia Goth), they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism, and untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you’ll be executed, or, if you’re rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Please indicate your City in the comments. Re-Tweet the below also for another chance!
Toronto! We want to give you a chance to win passes to the Toronto Premiere of Brandon Cronenberg's INFINITY POOL with a Special Q&A!https://t.co/jTXLrXp3er pic.twitter.com/BiMAlSpJF4
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 16, 2023
Rules and regulations here.
Note: Winners will only be contact via a direct message from our official account. Do not respond to third-party comments or messages asking you for your personal information.
Elevation Pictures release INFINITY POOL January 27, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW POSTER + TRAILER FOR “THE NORTHMAN”
Robert Eggers who brought us THE LIGHTHOUSE and THE WITCH, is back with THE NORTHMAN! See the new Trailer.
Story:
From visionary director Robert Eggers comes THE NORTHMAN, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father’s murder. With an all-star cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe.
New Poster:
Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada release THE NORTHMAN April 22, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “GODZILLA vs. KONG”
Adam Wingard (You’re Next) directs GODZILLA VS. KONG, which sees to two legends in a long-awaited face-off!
SYNOPSIS:
Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.
The Film stars Alexander Skarsgård (“Big Little Lies,” “The Little Drummer Girl”), Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”), Rebecca Hall (“Christine,” “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”), Brian Tyree Henry (“Joker,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), Shun Oguri (“Weathering with You”), Eiza González (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”), Julian Dennison (“Deadpool 2”), with Kyle Chandler (“Godzilla: King of the Monsters”) and Demián Bichir (“The Nun,” “The Hateful Eight”).
See the Trailer:
Warner Bros. Canada release GODZILLA VS. KONG in theatres (subject to change) Friday, March 26, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE AFTERMATH”
Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to see THE AFTERMATH Monday, March 18, 2019.
Synopsis:
THE AFTERMATH is set in postwar Germany in 1946. Rachael Morgan (Keira Knightley) arrives in the ruins of Hamburg in the bitter winter, to be reunited with her husband Lewis (Jason Clarke), a British colonel charged with rebuilding the shattered city. But as they set off for their new home, Rachael is stunned to discover that Lewis has made an unexpected decision: They will be sharing the grand house with its previous owners, a German widower (Alexander Skarsgård) and his troubled daughter. In this charged atmosphere, enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Post from @@mrwillw for an extra chance.
Fox Searchlight release THE AFTERMATH Friday, March 22, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT”
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT. Screenings take place as follows:
Ottawa:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa (2385 City Park Dr, Gloucester, ON K1J 1G1)
Winnipeg:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Polo Park (1485 Portage Ave #100, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0W4)
Edmonton:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton (8882 170 St NW #3030, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2)
Synopsis:
In this modern epic, Kim Nguyen exposes the ruthless edge of our increasingly digital world. Cousins from New York, Vincent (Jesse Eisenberg) and Anton (Alexander Skarsgård) are players in the high-stakes game of High-Frequency Trading, where winning is measured in milliseconds. Their dream? To build a fiber-optic cable straight line between Kansas and New Jersey, making them millions. But nothing is straightforward for this flawed pair. Anton is the brains, Vincent is the hustler, and together they push each other and everyone around them to breaking point on their quixotic adventure. Constantly breathing down their necks is their old boss Eva Torres (Salma Hayek) a powerful, intoxicating and manipulative trader who will stop at nothing to come between them and beat them at their own game.
See the Trailer:
#TIFF18: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
By Mr. Will Wong
And in a blink of an eye, another TIFF has passed and this one had us working right to the finish line! It’s only after the fact that we have a moment to take it all in how much we went through. We estimate double our average in Celebrity Snaps this year. That’s how star-studded TIFF ’18 was. It was that kind of a year!
We had the pleasure of previewing several of this year’s Awards Season contenders and we are waiting with baited breath to see A STAR IS BORN and GREEN BOOK, both outstanding, duke it out for Oscars glory in coming months. We loved both, are thrilled the latter was honoured with the People’s Choice Award at the Festival, but something about the former makes our heart sing. We cannot stop thinking about it or its Soundtrack. It takes a magical Film to do that.
Let’s relive some of my favourite star-studded moments of the Festival, as lensed through the Nikon D3400. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without this amazing camera which worked amazingly-well with our Blackberry Key 2 in terms of file transmission to ensure we were able to get our photos uploaded and edited within moments for you all to enjoy! The clarity of these snaps speak for themselves.
A STAR IS BORN Press Conference
Lady Gaga
We will never stop taking our signature Celebrity Selfies and TIFF ’18 was unforgettable even if we saw many returning faces. We wouldn’t have been camera-ready without the right gear and depending on each scenario, sometimes the Blackberry Key 2 worked best for those Selfies, sometimes the Nikon D3400 worked better. What matters is that more often than not, we got the snap! And many we did.
Here’s some of our faves!
Alexander Skarsgård
Amandla Stenberg
Amber Heard
Anthony Ramos
Boyd Holbrook
Cara Delevingne
Chris Pine
Claire Foy
Daniel Kaluuya
Elizabeth Debicki
Gwendoline Christie
Hari Nef
Jacob Tremblay
Jamie Dornan
Jamie Lee Curtis
John David Washington
Julianne Moore
Kelly Marie Tran
Lady Gaga
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Margaret Qualley
Olivia Munn
Parker Sevak
Peter Sarsgaard
Quincy Jones
Riz Ahmed
Ryan Gosling
Steve Carell
Steven Yeun
Timothée Chalamet
Trevante Rhodes
Troye Sivan
Zhang Yimou
In case you missed our Television appearances during TIFF ’18 this is our first year hitting-up the three big media giants: Global, CITY and CP24 (Bell Media). Thrilled! Our brand continues to thrive as a Festival go-to and we are so happy for the recognition.
CP24 with George Lagogianes
Breakfast Television with Winston Sih
Until next year. We’re already ready!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF18: “HOLD THE DARK” REVIEW
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Medora Slone’s (Riley Keough) son has gone missing in the Alaskan wilderness. She presumes wolves have taken him, and calls in expert Russell Core (Jeffrey Wright) to help track down the body and kill the wolf who did it. But Russell suspects something is not quite right, and when her husband Vernon (Alexander Skarsgård) returns home from a tour in the Middle East, things only become more violent.
Hold the Dark is Director Jeremy Saulnier’s most ambitious and sprawling film. The Alaskan landscapes (which were actually shot in Alberta) are absolutely gorgeous, even as the Film’s atmosphere becomes progressively darker and bleaker. The performances are all very good and Saulnier’s penchant for brutally graphic violence is amped-up considerably, with a vicious shootout scene ranking as some of the grisliest moments of the Festival. And while the Film is a slow-burn Thriller, it becomes glacially paced all too often. The second half of the Film especially feels dragged-out and overly enigmatic – which may benefit Netflix viewers but will genuinely frustrate some TIFF audiences.
Hold the Dark screens on Wednesday, September 12 at 6:00 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre [World Premiere], Thursday, September 13 at 1:00PM at Elgin Theatre, Friday, September 14 at 9:45 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Saturday, September 15 at 2:00PM at Ryerson Theatre.
#TIFF18: DAY THREE – LADY GAGA, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, JULIANNE MOORE, VIOLA DAVIS, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, AMANDLA STENBERG + MORE
By Mr. Will Wong
We don’t recall a more explosive first Saturday at TIFF in recent memory! Several stars were out and about on Day Three of the Festival and your jaw will drop who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT – Alexander Skarsgård and Jesse Eisenberg
GLORIA BELL – John Turturro and Julianne Moore
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THE FRONT RUNNER – Hugh Jackman and Jason Reitman
HALLOWEEN – Jamie Lee Curtis
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🤞🖖#JamieLeeCurtis at #TIFF18 for #Halloween! #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
LIFE ITSELF – Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke and Mandy Patinkin
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Stephan James, Kiki Layne and Barry Jenkins
PAPI CHULO – Matt Bomer
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#MattBomer at #TIFF18 for #PapiChulo. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
WILD ROSE – Jessie Buckley and Mary Steenburgen
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER – Maggie Gyllenhaal
THE SISTERS BROTHERS – Riz Ahmed
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#RizAhmed at #TIFF18 for #TheSistersBrothers. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF
WIDOWS – Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya
INSTYLE MAGAZINE PARTY – traditionally the hottest party at the Festival!
THE HATE U GIVE – Amandla Stenberg
BEAUTIFUL BOY – Timothée Chalamet
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Kelly Marie Tran
(Photo credit: David Baldwin/Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “MUTE” STARRING ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD
Hot off his Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards, Alexander Skarsgård stars in Netflix Original Film MUTE from Duncan Jones, the man who brought us Source Code, MOON and Warcraft.
Synopsis:
Berlin, the future, but close enough to feel familiar: In this loud, often brutal city, Leo (Alexander Skarsgård) – unable to speak from a childhood accident – searches for his missing girlfriend, the love of his life, his salvation, through dark streets, frenzied plazas, and the full spectrum of the cities shadow-dwellers. As he seeks answers, Leo finds himself mixed up with Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux), a pair of irreverent US army surgeons on a mission all their own. This soulful sci-fi journey from filmmaker Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft) imagines a world of strange currencies in which echoes of love and humanity are still worth listening to.
See the Teaser:
MUTE streams on Netflix Friday, February 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
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