Ariana DeBose
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “LOVE HURTS”
No matter how hard you try, you can’t break up with your past.
This Valentine’s Day, Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Loki) rockets into his first major leading man role as an unlikely hero, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a dark secret that he is desperate to leave behind. Spoiler alert: He won’t.
From 87North—producers of the groundbreaking action films Nobody, Violent Night, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy—comes a visceral, high-octane story of wrath and revenge.
Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor working the Milwaukee suburbs, where ‘For Sale’ signs bloom. Gable receives a crimson envelope from Rose (Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose; West Side Story, Argylle), a former partner-in-crime that he had left for dead. She’s not happy.
Now, Marvin is thrust back into a world of ruthless hitmen, filled with double-crosses and open houses turned into deadly warzones. With his brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu; Tomb Raider, Warcraft), a volatile crime lord, hunting him, Marvin must confront the choices that haunt him and the history he never truly buried.
The film features a killer soundtrack and impressive and diverse cast that includes former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch (Bottoms, 80 for Brady), Mustafa Shakir (Emancipation, Luke Cage), Lio Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love., Lucy), Rhys Darby (Jumanji: The Next Level, Yes Man), André Eriksen (Violent Night, The Trip) and Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Perry Mason).
Produced by 87North’s Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, Love Hurts is written by Matthew Murray (Sheltered, CloudStreet: Soaring the American West) & Josh Stoddard (Warrior, Kaleidoscope) and Luke Passmore (Archenemy, Slaughterhouse Rulez). Guy Danella (Violent Night) is also producing. The executive producer is Ben Ormand.
Making his feature film directing debut on Love Hurts is acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator and fight coordinator JoJo Eusebio, whose credits include some of the greatest action films of the past decade including Black Panther, The Avengers, the John Wick films, The Matrix Resurrections, Violent Night, The Fall Guy and Deadpool 2. Eusebio also served as the second-unit director on Deadpool 2, Violent Nightand Birds of Prey.
Genre: Action
Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, Marshawn Lynch, André Eriksen
Directed by: JoJo Eusebio
Written by: Matthew Murray & Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore
Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Guy Danella
Executive Producer: Ben Ormand
#FIRSTLOOK: “HOUSE OF SPOILS” COMING TO PRIME VIDEO
Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose stars as “Chef” in this genre-bending thriller that explores the chaos she encounters both in and out of the kitchen. HOUSE OF SPOILS arrives October 3, 2024 on Prime Video Canada.
This is the second feature film from Writers-Directors Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy. They previously co-directed Blow the Man Down.
House of Spoils continues a collaboration forged by Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Television in 2019.
Food stylist Zoe Hegedus consulted on the film. Her previous credits include Midsommar, Poor Things, Dune: Part 1 and Dune: Part 2. She specializes in creating food for movies, TV series, immersive eating experiences, food installations and edible tablescapes.
Written and Directed by Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy
Produced by Greg Gilreath, Adam Hendricks, Drew Houpt, Alex Scharfman, Lucas Joaquin, Jason Blum
Executive Produced by Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold, Chris Dickie
Starring Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Amara Karan, Mikkel Bratt Silset and
Marton Csokas
Genre Horror/Suspense
Run Time 1h 41m
Logline
From Blumhouse, House of Spoils follows an ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) as she opens a restaurant on a remote estate where she battles kitchen chaos, crushing self-doubts… and a haunting presence who threatens to sabotage her at every turn.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “I.S.S.”
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto and Vancouver a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of I.S.S. Screenings take place as follows:
TORONTO – Wednesday, January 17th at 7:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
VANCOUVER – Wednesday, January 17th at 7:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
Synopsis:
Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling from this, the astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, working with Nick Shafir’s Blacklist script, brings together a stellar cast that includes Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova, in a high-stakes thriller set entirely in the confines of the I.S.S. as astronauts are called to duty in fateful and terrifying ways. Only In Theatres January 19, 2024.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.
Rules and regulations here.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#SPOTTED: ALAN TUDYK IN TORONTO FOR “WISH” SPECIAL SCREENING
Alan Tudyk not only is a captivating presence on-screen, he also is a brilliant Voice Actor having voiced characters in Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Encanto and now, WISH which sees a release as part of Disney‘s 100th annivesary celebrations.
Tudyk made a surprise appearance at a special screening of WISH, walking the Blue Carpet with wide Charissa Barton. TV Personality Patricia Jaggernauth hosted. Tudyk plays Valentino, a goat who gets his wish of being able to speak. In crafting this character, he tried a few different things before ultimately landing on his low voice. He stars alongside Oscar winner Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine in this U.S. Thanksgiving release, expected to pull in big numbers. It centers on a teen girl named Asha (DeBose) who senses a darkness none other can and makes a wish upon a star, getting way more than what she bargained for!
More on Tudyk‘s appearance:
One highlight is that Tudyk was presented with a sizzle reel of some of the outstanding work he’s done over the years voicing characters for Disney, Pixar and more!
Disney‘s WISH arrives in theatres November 22, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: George Pimentel/Walt Disney Studios Canada/Mr. Will Wong)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF DISNEY’S “WISH”
Walt Disney Studios Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an advance screening of Disney’s WISH!
Synopsis:
With a nod to Walt Disney’s musical legacy as the company marks 100 years, Walt Disney Animation Studios “Wish” welcomes audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
Disney’s “Wish” opens in theatres November 22, 2023.
Screening Details:
Toronto
Monday, November 20
Pre-screening activities begin: 5:00pm
Showtime: 6:45pm
Scotiabank Theatre
259 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M6, Canada
Calgary
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0K4, Canada
Edmonton
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St NW #3030, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2, Canada
Vancouver
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Cineplex Cinemas Marine Gateway
452 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V5X 0C3, Canada
Ottawa
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Dr, Gloucester, ON K1J 1G1
Winnipeg
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St James St, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3L3
Montreal (ENG)
Monday, November 20
7:00pm
Cinéma Cineplex Forum
2313 Saint-Catherine St W #101, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1N2
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Share this from our X account for another chance:
Enter for a chance to win Advance Passes to see Disney's WISH in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal!https://t.co/rfGuD0KcWV pic.twitter.com/BIFgosmjUR
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) November 9, 2023
Rules and regulations here.
Be following!
Be checking weekly as a new song gets released from Disney’s WISH every Wednesday before its release. Check-out “I’m a Star“:
Disney’s WISH is in theatres November 22, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR DISNEY’S “WISH”
Walt Disney Animation Studios shared a new trailer, poster and images this morning, showcasing the epic new musical comedy “Wish,” which opens in theatres on Nov. 22. Also revealed today are additional members of the film’s voice cast, who join previously announced cast members Ariana DeBose, who voices 17-year-old heroine Asha; Chris Pine, who lends his voice to the formidable King Magnifico; and Alan Tudyk, who provides the memorable voice of Asha’s pet goat, Valentino.
Cast members include:
Angelique Cabral as Queen Amaya, the wife and sounding board of King Magnifico;
Victor Garber as Asha’s grandfather, Sabino, who—at 100 years old—is patiently waiting for his wish to be granted;
and Natasha Rothwell as Asha’s loving and supportive mom, Sakina.
Plus, Asha’s tight-knit group of confidants, protectors and forever friends:
Jennifer Kumiyama as Asha’s dearest friend, Dahlia, who’s an accomplished baker and unofficial leader of their group;
Evan Peters as the strong guy with a big heart and bigger yawn, Simon;
Harvey Guillén as Gabo, who may be cynical, but he has a heart of gold;
Ramy Youseff as Safi, who’s plagued by allergies;
Niko Vargas as Asha’s joyful, always smiling buddy, Hal;
Della Saba as the seemingly shy teenager, Bazeema, who’s full of surprises;
and Jon Rudnitsky as Asha’s rosy-cheeked, wiggly-eared pal, Dario.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones (“Encanto”). Jennifer Lee (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) executive produces—Lee and Allison Moore (“Night Sky,” “Manhunt”) are writers on the project. With original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice, plus score by composer Dave Metzger, “Wish” opens only in theatres on Nov. 22, 2023.
#FIRSTLOOK: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS CANADA “WISH” PREVIEW
By George Kozera
Recently, we had the great honour to be invited by Disney to view select scenes from their upcoming cinematic extravaganza WISH, followed by a Q&A from the Movie’s Producer Peter Del Vecho and first-time feature Director Fawn Veerasunthorn (who had worked on Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Zootopia and Frozen in various capacities).
WISH is about a young girl who will meet the King, hoping he will grant her most fervent wish only to discover that all is not what it seems to be.
Oscar winner, Ariana DeBose is the voice of Asha, the young girl with the wish and Chris Pine is the voice of King Magnifico, who may be Disney‘s most fascinating villain to date.
The two songs we had the opportunity to hear and see on the big screen are astonishing (DeBose has pipes!) but it’s the animation that takes your breath away.
Just when you think that Disney movies cannot look better, we are once again floored by what is presented. Veerasunthorn has amalgamated all she had done in previous features and this Movie has Oscar written all over it!
Disney‘s WISH is in theatres November 22, 2023.
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “WISH”
Hot off the announcement that Chris Pine will star in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” which opens exclusively in theatres on November 22, 2023 we get a new trailer! The trailer introduces 17-year-old Asha, the powerful King Magnifico, Asha’s pet goat Valentino, and Star, a celestial ball of boundless energy that Asha’s wish calls down from the sky. It also features a snippet of the song “This Wish,” performed by Ariana DeBose; it’s one of several new songs written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice for the film.
The all-new musical-comedy welcomes audiences to Rosas, a fantastical land located off the Iberian Peninsula. “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes,” said director Chris Buck, who helms the film with Fawn Veerasunthorn. “People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”
Added Veerasunthorn, “We have been inspired by so many iconic films over Disney Animation’s 100 years, especially stories where we explore the power of someone with a wish, combined with the conviction to make that wish come true. Being able to honour that legacy with this incredible story and these amazing characters has been a joy for our entire team.”
ABOUT THE MOVIE
In “Wish,” Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favourite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes (“Encanto”). Jennifer Lee (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) executive produces—Lee and Allison Moore (“Night Sky,” “Manhunt”) are writers on the project. With original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice, plus score by composer Dave Metzger, “Wish” opens only in theatres on Nov. 22, 2023.
#FIRSTLOOK: BOOKING.COM SPONSORS TIME100 SUMMIT & GALA
BOOKING.COM was an official signature sponsor of the TIME100 Summit and Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, which included stars like Toronto’s own Simu Liu! The site is one of the largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, enabling properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses.
Booking.com aimed to further support getting important topics the increased attention they need and deserve while also providing travel inspiration for Summit & Gala attendees. The events brought together a cast of past and present TIME100 honorees and other influential figures from the worlds of art, culture, politics and entertainment with Booking.com polling the influential attendees on their summer travel plans via a survey at the brand’s dedicated activation space at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Key insights include:
-Sustainability efforts at accommodations play a strong role in TIME100 event attendee’s vacation decisions, with 50% of survey respondents saying they would select one property over another if it had Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge.
-TIME100 event respondents said they prefer to stay at vacation rentals over hotels (62%).
-Trips where travelers get to enjoy the outdoors was the preference for TIME100 attendees with 46% of respondents wanting to take a beach vacation this summer and 41% wanting to take any type of nature trip.
-Experiencing local culture is TIME100 event respondents main motivation to travel this summer (37%), with relaxation not far behind at 32%.
-When asked what destination was top of the list this summer, Greece, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Colorado and Puerto Rico were the most popular among TIME100 event attendee survey respondents.
Some of the A-Listers at the affair:
(Photo credit: Booking.com)
#INTERVIEW: “WEST SIDE STORY”
By Mr. Will Wong
The legacy of WEST SIDE STORY is undeniable. With six TONY Awards and an Academy Award win for Best Picture, following-up on its celebrated 1961 predecessor some 60 years later is a tall ask.
Steven Spielberg takes the reins in the upcoming 2021 retelling of the Film, with a Script by Tony Kushner. This latest rendition takes us back to 1957 New York City as we are placed in the middle of a war between feuding teenage street gangs, and also a compelling story of young love.
Our Justin Waldman had the pleasure of sitting-in on the global press conference for WEST SIDE STORY. In attendance were:
Steven Spielberg – Director
Rita Moreno – “Valentina” and Producer
Tony Kushner – Screenwriter
Rachel Zegler – Maria
Ansel Elgort – Tony
Ariana DeBose – Anita
David Alvarez – Bernardo
Mike Faist – Riff
Brian d’Arcy James – Officer Krupke
Josh Andres Rivera – Chino
Corey Stoll – Lieutenant Schrank
Steven Spielberg talks about getting the legendary late Stephen Sondheim onboard after bumping into each other at the White House receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The iconic Composer/Lyricist had passed away late November.
Spielberg : “Steve (Sondheim) was very involved in commenting about Tony‘s Script. Tony had a very open dialogue with Steve on the Script going from one draft to the next. Where Steve got really involved, which was the best place for his involvement, was when we did the pre-records with all the Vocal Artists. Steve was there for three weeks, five days a week sitting right beside me in the recording studio. It was an honour.”.
Spielberg admits to having known all the lyrics as kid to West Side Story. He comments what it was like working on the Film from rehearsals to filming.
Spielberg: “You know something? I did jump out of my chair and did dance with the Cast, singing off-key and dancing like a I had three left feet, during rehearsal. We had four and a half months of intense rehearsals, both in the City and in Brooklyn at this place called Dumbo. And Rita (Moreno) was there too. Rita was dancing with the Cast. We were so compelled to get up on our feet because there was so much life in the air of song and dance and genius Choreography by Justin Peck. When I filmed the Movie, I would just tap my feet as I was too focused on what images we were capturing. This was the most delightful family affair I’ve had since E.T. In E.T., I felt like I was a dad to all those kids and I wasn’t a dad then. It made me want to be a dad and my first child was born three years after I directed E.T. This was the next time I had that kind of a feeling that I was a part of a very diverse family. I was not at the center of the family, but was a part of the family.”.
Rita Moreno who originated the on-screen role of Anita in the 1961 version of this Film for which she won an Academy Award, plays the newly-created role of Valentina, intended as a cameo. She talks about passing the torch, being a part of the new Film.
Moreno: “It wasn’t easy. I mean I’m not gonna say I wasn’t envious. That would be just a bloody lie. I wished I could be that young again and do it again. Then I got this beautifully-written card from this man, and you don’t say things that easily. I don’t care what they say, I love every scene I’m in. Therefore, I love what I’m doing. And it was difficult, it was absolutely creepy to do that one scene I did with Anita (Ariana DeBose) in the Film and it was strange for her and even more difficult for me. I kept looking at her and had the toughest time getting into the scene because what I was really doing was saving Anita‘s life, because these boys were about to possibly rape her. I had to put a stop to it. It was very strange.”.
Tony Kushner is asked whether or not he considered setting this Film in modern day.
Kushner: “We never discussed transposing it because there’s nothing dated about the Score. It’s lively and great and it feels of any moment and I’m convinced for all time. Whenever you hear that Music, you’re going to feel as though it’s happening just right now. There’s nothing quaint or old-fashioned about it. Sondheim who is one of the greatest Lyricists and Composers, is a master at a kind of specificity that is certainly timeless in the sense his insights into the way people think and feel are never gonna get dated.”.
Brian d’Arcy James and Corey Stoll playing the authority in West Side Story. Both comment on their characters, which still are a very much a part of the discussion today on race relations in America.
Stoll: “Tony Kushner‘s Script is such an incredible addition to telling this story. The understanding of race and of ethnicity and of language that he brings to it, it’s more about these systemic forces and how power instills itself on a community, as opposed to ‘That person is a racist! That’s the bad person and we’re good in relation to that.”. It’s about power and how those in power hold onto it. I represent the authority trying to hold that line, and taking away someone’s language is something you do when trying to instill that power. I had the fewest days on-set and some had been working months before I showed up. I am the closest thing to an audience coming in. I’ve never been on a set like this. Maybe it’s because I come from Downtown Theatre where everyone’s very sullen and I’ve never been in a Musical. Everyone was having so much fun and I’ve never seen this!”.
James: “I felt the same way literally on the outside standing and watching this incredible array of ability and talent and enthusiasm and joy and spirit. After every take, a throng of like 40 dancers would run over to the monitor and watch the scene and go ‘Hurray! That was great!’. To me, that is the lifeblood of this Film. The spirit of this Film is captured by the fact that everybody is so in love with the fact they got to do it.”.
Rachel Zegler makes her big screen debut as Maria and talks about New York being a character in the Film, plus also her preparation process for this role of a lifetime.
Zegler: “It’s a character. New York became a character. The morning after the balcony scene, it’s just shot after shot of New York in the morning. And even if you’re not familiar with 1957 New York, even if you’re just familiar with New York right now, it embraces that so well. And I think the Film became a love letter to New York, not only because of how stunning it is visually, but because of the context Tony Kushner gave it in the Script, understanding the political climate as well. It was really cool stepping onto Adam Stockhausen‘s 1957 set and feeling transported, and I think we were all really able to incorporate it into our performances as well because it’s so immersive”.
The Cast are asked about using the Film’s source material, and balancing staying true to it, with making it their own. DeBose who plays Anita, and is getting a lot of early Awards Season buzz, comments on this, as do Zegler, Elgort and Alvarez.
Zegler: “I made the choice not to. The comparisons are eminent so when I got the part, I was like whether they like it or not, they’re gonna compare, so I’m just gonna distance myself as much as I can.”.
“The Music you have to listen to, to study and understand, but it was retaught to us in a brand new way by Jeanine Tesori, conducted by David Newman of the New York Philharmonic, so I think we were all able to look at it with a fresh perspective inherently through our leadership. I don’t think it was necessarily encouraged to watch or not watch the Film, but Tony Kushner did recommend we look at Romeo & Juliet and its text.”.
Elgort: “No I haven’t seen the Movie since I was a kid but I used to love it, especially the Prologue. I’ve always been told as an Actor not to look at someone else’s performance because you’re supposed to pull it out. But I will say Steven Spielberg obviously loves the source material and it very much is based off of that source material and then reimagined the way that Art is supposed to be.”.
Ariana: “I am well-versed in the Movie, but I did not revisit it. I saw it when I was seven or eight and it was ingrained in my mind. I just let the knowledge of it live with me even though I did not seek it out.
Alvarez: “I definitely didn’t see it. I mean I saw it when I was young, but I didn’t want to see it because I didn’t want my idea of Bernardo to change because of the Movie. But I did look at Romeo & Juliet.”.
20th Century Studios Canada release WEST SIDE STORY December 10, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios Canada)
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