Celebrated Thespian COURTNEY B. VANCE is a legend. The TONY and Primetime EMMY Award (twice) winner was in town promoting his latest film, a big one, the live-action adaptation of Disney’s LILO & STITCH. The tale of a young Hawaiian girl who befriends a cuddly alien has won the hearts of fans of all ages around the world, and will be enjoyed by a new generation when this latest version by Director Dean Fleischer Camp, arrives in theatres this weekend, Friday, May 23, 2024. Vance stars as Cobra Bubbles.
Vance continues to have a flourishing career, having starred in acclaimed titles in recent years, like BEN IS BACK, THE PEOPLE v. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY, ISLE OF DOGS, GROTESQUERIE and he next can be seen in PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS.
Along with Vance, iconic Tia Carrere whom has had a long, successful career, known for her work in the WAYNE’S WORLD franchise, RELIC HUNTER, and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, has also starred as Nani Pelekai in the franchise. This time around she plays Ms. Kekoa. The duo did a full two days of promotion in the City with several appearances including eTalk, Breakfast Television, The Morning Show, The Social, Sirius XM Canada Talks, CP24 Breakfast, and more! We miss the days when talent came and did all this. A real throwback.
Despite it being pouring out (some spring we’re having!), Vance was so gracious to stop for a quick snap, all smiles. We adore him! Carrere, who understandably wanted to get in and out of the rain quickly, looked amazing and we are thrilled having met her years ago when she came for Fan Expo.
Some snaps:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Walt Disney Studios Canada)
By SiobhĂĄn Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Peter Hedges’ latest film, Ben is Back, premiered at this yearâs Toronto International Film Festival and we were lucky enough to sit down with one of the Filmâs stars, Courtney B. Vance. The Film explores the many ways drug use effects not just the addict but also their family which prompted Mr. Vance to open-up about not only his preparation for the Film but also his views on parenting and family.
SIOBHĂN: Youâve worked on Stage, Television, Film. How does your preparation differ depending on the medium?
VANCE: It does. I remember for Lucky Guy I tried to do a lot of research but there was nothing to be found on him so I had to back into him by listening to everything the Director, George C. Wolfe, was saying about him. With Johnny Cochrane and OJ Simpson – I could have looked at all the footage but I thought that would put me in my head too much. So I chose to read the book a couple times and I found a kernel in there and I said âIâm going to trust that thatâs enough to propel me in.â So really it depends – a play is different than film and film is slower, and you have more time than with television. It depends but ultimately it really comes down to knowing just enough we we can get in there and play and see what the other actor or actors and the director and the production designer and what everybodyâs bringing. Then to be able to be – thatâs where potentially the magic – you have to leave room for the magic to happen. But with a play you actually have the play to take you through every night and then to see what happens to people. With Film [and Television] you have to depend on the directors,âOk where am I now and whatâs happening here and whatâs coming up? Okay got it! Letâs go.â So itâs a little different.
SIOBHĂN: In the Film, your character is the hard nosed realist whereas Juliaâs character is very much about the unconditional love – tough love – but still unconditional love. Where do you fall on that and which do you think is more realistic?
VANCE: I think they both have to be there. I think there are instances – and my wife [Angela Bassett) and I deal with this in our lives with our children – sometimes you have to be there as a soft cushion for them to fall into and sometimes⊠âYou fall in here but letâs look after weâve done this [âŠ] letâs talk it through. âYou did this. What are some other options you could have done so that the next time it comes up – and it will come up again – a different colour, a different height, a different depth.â To be able to be discerning because eventually you need to be able to do this yourself. You have to be able navigate and thatâs what we are really about raising children and young people to be fully functioning – to eventually be able to take over.
My mother passed away last year of ALS and they saw me take over for her because she couldnât anymore. I had to make decisions for my mother with my sister and they saw that as children. They saw daddy, they saw Grandma is not as⊠She used to talk and now sheâs not talking but you still had to go in. They still had to say good morning to Grandma, tell her what your day was like. And so that process, that circle of life, everything goes around in a circle and some days it may not be your best day youâve had but it is a day and weâll get through this to the other side. Knowing that with help – with the village – we can push through this and get through just about anything. Itâs really about children knowing at base core theyâre loved and based on that we gotta deal with this issue. If they know itâs done in a loving situation then we can ride through any storm.
Elevation Pictures release BEN IS BACKÂ Friday, December 14, 2018.
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of THE MUMMY! Screenings take place Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY, VANCOUVER, EDMONTON, WINNIPEG and OTTAWA.
Synopsis:
Tom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy. Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters. Cruise is joined by a cast including Annabelle Wallis (upcoming King Arthur, televisionâs Peaky Blinders), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Courtney B. Vance (TVâs American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson) and OscarÂź winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator).
Trailer:
Artwork:
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Universal Pictures Canada release THE MUMMY Friday, June 9, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)
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