After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.
Wicked is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar® nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster Wicked stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.
Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
A new Trailer is up for Disney’s Pinocchio, coming to us on Disney+ Day!
Synopsis:
Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana and Jaquita Ta’Le as her marionette Sabina, Giuseppe Battiston as Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.
Disney’s PINOCCHIO arrives September 8, 2022 on Disney+.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
Disney’s PINOCCHO will be celebrated on Disney+ Day September 8, 2022, leading into the D23 Expo! A new Teaser Trailer has been released to get us excited!
Synopsis:
Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.
DIsney’s PINOCCHIO arrives September 8, 2022 on Disney+.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
HBO x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of HBO‘s acclaimed Series, THE OUTSIDER on Blu-ray™.
Synopsis:
Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Outsider is a new drama series that follows a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy. When 11-year-old Frankie Peterson’s body is found mutilated in the Georgia woods, police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) sets out to investigate – with eyewitnesses and physical evidence pointing to Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a popular high school teacher, Little League coach, doting husband and father. While the case appears ironclad, Ralph is baffled by the emergence of contradictory evidence that places his suspect in a neighboring city at the time of the murder. The mysterious set of circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, a seasoned cop still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable.
BONUS FEATURES:
10 ONE-HOUR EPISODES
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You can click “share” on this Post from there or Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance. Contest open to Readers in U.S. and Canada. You must be following on Facebook and Twitter.
Enter for a chance to #win HBO’s acclaimed Series THE OUTSIDER on Blu-ray™.
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) July 22, 2020
How: https://t.co/9AiwCQmfnI pic.twitter.com/pL5MKBCqdM
Rules and regulations here.
HBO‘S THE OUTSIDER is out now digitally and on DVD/Blu-ray™.
order now:
(Photo credit: HBO)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The Film follows the story of Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) in her quest to not only claim her own freedom but the freedom of all slaves.
This Film documents the pivotal moments in Harriet Tubman’s adult life, with a focus on her efforts in transporting those enslaved to freedom areas. For those who know this empowering and inspiring Story, the Film won’t tell you anything you didn’t already know. It that has been brought to the big screen through beautiful Cinematography, an excellent Score and a powerful performance from Erivo.
Harriet screens at TIFF on Tue, Sep 10 at Roy Thompson Hall at 6 PM, Tue, Sep 10 at Elgin Theatre at 8 PM, Wed, Sep 11 at Winter Garden Theatre at 3 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at Scotiabank Theatre at 2:45 PM.
As if our TIFF ’19 couldn’t be any more explosive, it just did! A bit saddened we missed Leonardo DiCaprio at the Premiere of ICE ON FIRE amidst all the bustle, but we can’t complain!
Ladies and gentlemen, I died when I met Leonardo Dicaprio today! I had my #OnceUponATimeInHollywood Rick Dalton shirt on and he loved it (there he is checking it out in the pic) #Tiff19 pic.twitter.com/DHu7zYmN8R
— MeLiSsA dACrUz ‼TIFF‼ (@MelissaDacruzz) September 8, 2019
Congrats Tina, Cindy + Melissa!
See our day three sightings!
Hover cursor right to navigate each album.
HARRIET – Press Stop
OUR ZOE – Press Stop
BEGINNINGS, ENDINGS – Press Stop
View this post on Instagram
#TIFF19: #JamieDornan x #ShaileneWoodley at #TIFF for #EndingsBeginnings. #HuaweiP30Pro
AMERICAN SON – Press Stop
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME – Press Stop
View this post on Instagram
#TIFF19: Comedy legend #EddieMurphy at #TIFF with #DolemiteismyName! #HuaweiP30Pro
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – Press Stop
HUSTLERS – Press Stop
FORD v. FERRARI – Press Stop
THE GOLDFINCH – Afterparty/strong>
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to see BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE! The Screening takes place:
TORONTO
Monday, October 1
7:30PM
Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond St W)
MONTREAL ENGLISH
Monday, October 1
7:00PM
Cinema Banque Scotia
MONTREAL FRENCH
Wednesday, October 10
7:00PM
Starcite Montreal
VANCOUVER
Monday, October 1
7:00PM
Scotiabank Vancouver
SYNOPSIS:
Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption… before everything goes to hell. Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson and Cynthia Erivo lead an all-star cast in BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
20th Century Fox Canada release BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE Friday, October 12, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Widows follows four women who take up their deceased husbands’ next heist. It will have its World Premiere at TIFF ‘18 in the Galas Programme and is the follow-up Film to Director Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.
This Film is different from McQueen‘s previous Films, however it still hits all those important messages and has complex, layered characters that have made his Films so special. His Script, which he co-wrote with Gillian Flynn, has four rich female leads that are all unforgettable. Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Erivo as spectacular fireworks that explode on the screen. This one is not to be missed.
Widows screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall, Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 PM at Princess Of Wales and Sunday, September 16 at 6 PM at Elgin Theatre.
Words and Photo by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The highly anticipated Film Widows held its Press Conference today at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Director Steve McQueen, Writer Gillian Flynn, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debiki, Michelle Rodriguez, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya, Brian Tyree Henry and Composer Hans Zimmer were all on hand to talk their new heist Film.
Widows takes place in the south side of Chicago and follows four women who take up their deceased husbands’ next heist. The hot topic of the conference was the female empowerment and race relation messages. “This Film shows what happens in public and private,” McQueen said about the depiction of race relations in America.
Colin Farrell spoke more on the topic of how the female characters are much better than the males when it comes to their moral compasses. “The men are fighting for scrapes and the women are fighting for their souls,” he passionately stated.
It comes as no surprise that Davis loves to delve deep into complicated and powerful female characters, and her role in Widows is no different. “I love kicking ass,” she laughed.
Widows screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall, Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 PM at Princess Of Wales and Sunday, September 16 at 6 PM at Elgin Theatre.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com