Andy Serkis
#FIRSTLOOK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2023 TORONTO COMICON
Taking place this weekend between March 17-19, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto Comicon once again is back drawing big crowds in a celebration of Fandom! Taking place in the Cente’s North Building, fans came out in a year that saw even more focus on family activities at the event which coincides with March Break.
New this year were events like Poké-Sunday, a full day dedicated to the love of Pokémon; the Great Toronto Comicon Baby Race, pitting youngsters on the cosplay red carpet in a race for speed; The Mandalorian star Emily Swallow hosting a Celeb Karaoke Party. There was even a Toronto Comicon Lightsaber Battle! An unapologetic geek-out.
In addition to giving fans a chance to meet their favourite Artists in the Artist Alley, getting a chance to obtain rare commissions, and a chance to buy cool memorabilia from vendors, Toronto Comicon is about starpower. Attending the festivities this year were the likes of Andy Serkis, Scott Patterson, Sean Gunn, Robbie Amell, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell and several more.
One of the hottest tickets at Toronto Comicon this year was the Panel by the Cast of Prime Video‘s THE BOYS – the streaming service’s #1 show. Our George Kozera was lucky enough to attend and gives us the scoop!
“The exuberance from THE BOYS Cast (Jack Quaid, Claudia Doumit, Karen Fukuhara, Laz Alonso) during the panel interview was infectious. Whether it was their favourite places to eat in Toronto while shooting the wildly-popular Series, with shout-outs to North of Brooklyn for pizza, Burger Drops in Liberty Village and Otto’s Berlin Doner in Kensington Market to name a few, Fukuhara’s lament was the inability to buy Mott’s Clamato in the U.S.. They gave away no secrets about the upcoming season four of this Emmy Award television show. We even heard Quaid reminding himself out loud before hopping on-stage, to not reveal anything about Season Four! He did however, admit that one scene was so particularly gruesome that he had to turn his head away while watching. That should get everyone’s motor running at full speed!”.
A Reel of Highlights:
Some Snaps:
You haven’t missed-out! Toronto Comicon is on for one more day and this is chance to put August’s Fan Expo Toronto on your map as well. That event promises to be an even bigger bash. More details on Toronto Comicon here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/George Kozera)
#FIRSTLOOK: ANDY SERKIS AMONG STARS TO APPEAR AT TORONTO COMICON 2023
Andy Serkis, one of the greatest actors of this generation, will make his very first Toronto Comicon appearance this March. The prolific performer will appear on the Saturday of the three-day convention for autograph signings, photo ops and a Q&A panel. This year, Toronto Comicon will be moving into the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre right off of Front Street during March Break weekend, March 17-19, 2023. Information and pricing for Toronto Comicon is available at fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto.
Serkis is an award-winning actor who is beloved around the world for his memorable performance capture roles including masterfully portraying dual characters Sméagol/Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, delivering a heart-breaking performance as the title character in King Kong, giving a full range of emotions to Cesar in the Planet of the Apes franchise and sending darkness through the screen as the enigmatic Supreme Leader Snoke in the most recent Star Wars trilogy.
In human form, Serkis has been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe portraying Ulysses Klaue in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Black Panther (2018) as well as the Disney+ series What If…? (2021). Most recently he portrayed Alfred Pennyworth in The Batman (2022) and Kino Loy in the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story spinoff, Andor (2022). These are just a few of the hundreds of credits to Serkis’s name.
The multi-talented artist has also found success behind the camera making his directorial debut in 2017 with Breathe, followed by Netflix’s Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2019) and the second installment in the Venom trilogy, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021).
Previously announced Toronto Comicon 2023 celebrity guests include Emily Swallow (The Mandalorian), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls) and Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy). Follow @FANEXPOCanada for more guest and programming updates over the coming weeks.
Toronto Comicon presented by FAN EXPO Canada™ is a pop culture convention for fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming. The annual three-day convention is jam-packed with family-friendly activities and celebrities. This year’s show takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from March 17-19, 2023. fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW POSTER FOR “VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE”
Despite a few shifts in release date, VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE comes at us with a new Poster!
Synopsis:
Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of MARVEL’s greatest and most complex characters. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film also stars Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris and Woody Harrelson, in the role of the villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage.
In case you’ve missed the Trailer, see it below:
Sony Pictures Canada release VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE October 15, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: TOM HARDY IN “VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE”
Here’s your first look at the new Trailer for Tom Hardy in VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE.
Synopsis:
Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of MARVEL’s greatest and most complex characters. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film also stars Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris and Woody Harrelson, in the role of the villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage.
See the Trailer:
Sony Pictures Canada release VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE September 24, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI” POP-UP IN TORONTO
Right in time for one this year’s biggest cinematic events, an Exhibit for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is about to land in Toronto. The Pop-Up takes place at Bell Media Headquarters on 277 Queen Street West from DECEMBER 8 – 17, 2017 11-7 PM. The Exhibit closes 3:00 PM on the 13th. There is no charge to attend.
Including life-size replicas of Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, BB-8, The Praetorian Guard and the Executioner First Order Stormtrooper, the experience gives fans also a chance to purchase a special limited edition T-Shirt. A special Photo-Op will be available for Fans with the X-Wing Ship.
A first look at the Pop-Up. Hover cursor over left and right to navigate slideshow.
Special guests, giveaways and more will be announced daily.
Remember to follow WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES CANADA for daily updates.
Official Hashtag: #THELASTJEDITO
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, Friday, December 15, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “BREATHE”
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see TIFF ’17 selection BREATHE, the directorial debut of Andy Serkis. Screenings take place: Toronto (10/18), Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria (all 10/23).
Synopsis:
Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) spots a beautiful young woman named Diana (Claire Foy) at a cricket match and even though his friends tell him he doesn’t stand a chance, they fall in love and get married.
In 1959, the Cavendishes are in Kenya with their first child on the way when Robin is struck down by polio. The doctors say he’s paralyzed and only has a few months to live. They return to Britain, where Robin is confined to a hospital bed day in and day out, staying alive only thanks to a ventilator that keeps him breathing.
Although Robin would rather die than lie in a hospital bed for the rest of his life, Diana refuses to listen, saying their son needs his father. In order to bring back Robin’s will to live, Diana has to figure out how to get him out of the hospital and home, where she plans to care for him herself.
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 Tweet at @mrwillw for an extra chance.
Elevation Pictures release BREATHE in select cities Friday, October 20, 2017 and wide Friday, November 3, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#TIFF17: “BREATHE”
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Following in the tradition of other Oscar hopefuls, motion-capture pioneer Andy Serkis brings his directorial debut to TIFF. Written by Oscar-nominated Screenwriter William Nicholson, Breathe, tells the true story of a man stricken with Polio and a woman who refuses to lose hope.
While in Kenya, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) became paralyzed from the neck down after contracting Polio. When he and his pregnant wife Diana return to England they are faced with a lifetime spent in cold, restrictive hospitals. Unwilling to accept the doctors’ dire prognosis, Robin and Diana decide to move home so he can be with his family. With the help of his friend Teddy (Hugh Bonneville), Robin is able to escape the prison of his bed through a wheelchair with a built-in respirator.
Although Breathe is about Robin, the Movie truly belongs to the remarkable Claire Foy who portrays Diana as more than a naïve girl in love but rather a woman with strong beliefs who is not prepared to give-up. Strong performances overcome Nitin Sawhney’s dreadful Score are sure to help drive the Festival popularity of this by-the-numbers Biography.
Elevation Pictures will screen Breathe at TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Monday, September 11 6:00 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Tuesday, September 12 10:00 a.m. Winter Garden Theatre
#TIFF17: DAY FIVE SIGHTINGS – CHRISTIAN BALE, ANDREW GARFIELD, JAMES FRANCO, ALISON BRIE, DAVE FRANCO, LIAM NEESON, CLAIRE FOY, ANDY SERKIS + MORE
TIFF ’17 continues to go amazingly-well for us, but even being at the half-way mark we’re still not done! Check out some of the amazing sightings we had today!
MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE has all the pedigree of a winner. The Drama centers on “Deep Throat“, the man who as an anonymous source led to the Watergate Scandal investigation. Its stars Liam Neeson, Diane Lane and Tony Goldwyn and premieres tonight at Ryerson Theatre. We spotted Neeson and Lane out earlier and they were both amazingly- nice, taking a quick moment to stop. We’re in love with our Selfie with Neeson and Lane has starred in two of our faves, Secretariat and Unfaithful!
#TIFF17: #DianeLane at #TIFF2017 with #MarkFelt. #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #TIFF
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BREATHE is coming into TIFF ’17 with lots of buzz. The Tearjerker marks Andy Serkis‘ directorial debut and is based on its Producer Jonathan Cavendish‘s parents’ story. Robin Cavendish, his father, is known for breaking ground in helping the severely-disabled gain freedom with mobility chairs. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, long with Serkis were out and about today doing Press and it was a pure joy seeing them interact with their fans!
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HOSTILES also premieres tonight at Princess of Wales Theatre and stars Academy Award winner Christian Bale and Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike. The Duo were out and about earlier promoting the Film and while they were private largely most of the day we were lucky to spot them amidst their hectic schedule. The Drama is about a US Cavalry Officer who accompanies reluctantly, a Cheyenne War Chief and his family back to their tribal lands. Bale is sporting a new look for his role as Dick Cheney, hence if you couldn’t recognize him, someone’s done their job good!
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We loved chatting with Ari Graynor, Dave Franco and Paul Scheer about their new Film THE DISASTER ARTIST, premiering at Midnight Madness. While James Franco was to be a part of the chat, alas he was behind schedule. We did find him on the Red Carpet though where he was really giving to Media and fans! And even Rachel McAdams and Cult Icon Tommy Wiseau whom James Franco portrays, came out! You will LOVE this Film. It is hilarious! Check back towards the Holidays as our chat goes live.
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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