Bjorgvin Arnarson
#FIRSTLOOK: “CHUCKY”
Following the events of 2017’s CULT OF CHUCKY, Toronto-filmed CHUCKY is winning over Critics and audiences, becoming one of the top-rated TV Series of 2021.
Jake (Zackary Arthur) finds a Chucky doll at a yard sale but what ensues shortly after are a spree killings throughout the town of Hackensack, which uncover a trail of dark secrets. The Series works on multiple levels as we witness Jake‘s coming-of-age and he begins to understand his own sexuality, but we also get a glimpse also of Chucky‘s untold past. He is depicted as a normal child and the Series will trace retroactively his path to becoming a psychotic killer.
We know the Series is packed with appearances from several stars from the Franchise including Brad Dourif who returns to voice the titular character, plus Jennifer Tilly and Alex Vincent, reprising their roles as Tiffany and Andy. The latter two surface a bit later.
The focus however is on the new generation. In addition to Jake, we meet his cousin Junior (Teo Briones) and the two completely do not get along. Lexy (Alyvia Alyn Lind) is Jake‘s arch-enemy and love interest to Junior. Devon (Björgvin Arnarson) is Jake‘s crush.
We love that the Franchise has pivoted to adapt to issues of the now and does so successfully, but it still manages to maintain that beloved spirit of Horror and a dash of camp, while still managing to tell a story well and suspensefully. The credit goes to Creator Don Mancini, who oversees some of the writing and direction here, staying true to original vision, knowing best what fans want to see.
The tension is felt right away between characters on the Series and you get a sense of their back stories and complicated histories. We can see these relationships taking turns over the course of this first season, which will keep viewers invested at all twists and turns. But more importantly, we need to know who Chucky will off next!
CHUCKY airs Tuesday nights 10 PM ET on Showcase in Canada. More here.
We were so lucky to have the Cast film literally a few minutes from where we live this Summer.
Catch-up on our experience here meeting the Cast here.
(Photo/video credit: SyFy/Showcase)
#SPOTTED: THE CAST OF “CHUCKY” SERIES IN TORONTO
We’ve been really rusty on the starspotting front, but we’ve always been of the opinion that health comes first. And we weren’t about to get Covid-19 for a Selfie!
Now that our numbers have been under control again, it’s empowered me with the sense of security that I can go out and have a little fun again, while being super-careful. And as luck would have it, the stars came to me this time. We haven’t been on a Red Carpet or out spotting stars literally since the Pandemic hit us in Ontario, so it was a little gift from above that new Syfy/USA Network series CHUCKY came to film in my neck of the woods in the east end, or what star Jennifer Tilly would call “a small town just outside of Toronto”!
For many of us who grew-up in the ’80s, it was impossible to avoid the scary legacy of CHILD’S PLAY. That creepy sinister doll who took on the soul of a serial killer escaping death, going on to terrorize the world in what has become an iconic Horror franchise. While there were high hopes for the 2019 reboot starring Aubrey Plaza, fans still turn back to the nostalgia of the earlier films in the Series.
CHUCKY The TV Series is set to debut this October, created, written and directed in part by Don Mancini who has written all films in the Child’s Play franchise. Production began back in March amidst lockdown setbacks and just wrapped in the east end, with a stint all the way out in Hamilton.
This new Series continues on the events of 2017’s Cult of Chucky and Brad Dourif once again reprises his role as the voice of the titular character. Academy Award nominee and Poker player extraordinaire Jennifer Tilly also reprises her role as Tiffany Valentine, Chucky‘s love interest and murderous counterpart. It focuses on a new generation led by Zackary Arthur, Teo Briones (son of stage star Jon Jon Briones), Emmy Award nominee Alyvia Alyn Lind and Björgvin Arnarson. Devon Sawa also stars in the Series and wrapped a couple weeks back.
The Trailer for CHUCKY just premiered at Comic-Con@Home. Check it out!
The Series looks to maintain the elements its Franchise known for, while being darkly-comedic and bloody whimsical.
We are so delighted to have met most of the Cast, including Arthur who plays the lead role of Jake, plus his best friend in the Series Devon, played by Arnarson, and also Briones who plays his brother Junior. Emmy-nominated Actress Lind (Young & The Restless) and her real-life mother Barbara Alyn Woods (One Tree Hill) also were on-set. All of them were lovely!
Our greatest thrill was meeting Tilly, who secured a time for us to come back and say “hi” after rushing off to set, and she wowed us by how beautiful she looked in a shimmery red dress, always looking exquisite on and off camera. She was seen filming a Red Carpet scene earlier in the day. Tilly was incredibly personable, taking the time to chat about her plans to head home right after her wrap, to see boyfriend Phil Laak, also a Poker star. She tells me her sister, Academy Award-nominated Actress and Author Meg Tilly, has a dog named Anna which our beanie reminded her of. And she even complimented me on my style. High-praise! Love her. Seeing her thrive as an Actress, earning a spot in The Academy as someone of part-Chinese descent, is a feat. Tilly is a trailblazer and whether or not she knows it, she paved the way for Lesbian characters on Film through her work in BOUND, and also Asian-American Artists being included in the conversation today. She exudes class and is everything a Movie Star should be. It is little wonder why her career has spanned decades, including her latest in new Disney+ series MONSTERS AT WORK, reprising the role of Celia Mae. She is someone people are drawn to and she also embraces her celebrity, which is refreshing. And she has Canadian citizenship too to boot! She truly is one of us.
We also got to meet the very striking Mancini who also was gracious to make time to chat. Like us, he’s stoked to see House of Gucci and while this isn’t his first time filming in Toronto, we appreciate him coming back here with this production as we needed this!
See our Snaps, scroll right to navigate the carousel.
Here’s a blast from the past. Getting intimate with Chucky!
It’s been a tough run, and it was so nice to have this treat. We don’t anticipate going out much for Selfies till this Covid thing is on its way out for good, but this reminded us how much fun we used to have doing this!
CHUCKY arrives October 12, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/SyFy)
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