#INTERVIEW: THE CAST AND DIRECTOR OF “GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY”

After premiering at TIFF ’22 to rousing reception including a second-runner-up placing for the coveted People’s Choice Award, the release of the follow-up to 2019’s KNIVES OUT is before us. Sweeping us away to scenic Greece, this latest installment GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY promises all the style, charm and delight of its predecessor but yet a completely new experience and characters.

While star Daniel Craig who reprises the role of Detective Benoit Blanc once again here, was unwell for today’s international Press Conference, we had the pleasure of hearing Writer/Director Rian Johnson and the Cast speak about this exciting release arriving on Netflix in time for the Holidays. Joining us were:

Edward Norton – Miles Bron
Janelle Monáe – Cassandra Bran
Kathryn Hahn – Claire Debella 
Kate Hudson – Birdie Jay
Leslie Odom Jr. – Lionel Toussaint
Jessica Henwick – Peg
Madelyn Cline – Whiskey
Rian Johnson (Writer-Director)
Ram Bergman (Producer)

Rian Johnson talks about the wonderful experience of creating 2019’s KNIVES OUT and the task of creating an equally-brilliant followup.

Johnson: “It was challenging, but also when Daniel and I were making the first one – we were on-set having such a great time. Even if it does moderately well, it will be fun to keep making these.  But the mode we were working in, was not to continue the story of the first one, but to treat them like Agatha Christie treated her books. To do an entirely new mystery every time, a new location, a new Rogues’ Gallery of characters. Anyone who really knows her work, knows she really shook it up book to book, it’s not just a change of Whodunit, it was a change of genre and throwing crazy narrative spins that had never been done before. She was really keeping the audience on their toes. Let’s come up wth something truly different and make audiences say, ‘Wow! I’m getting the same pleasure as the first one but I’ve never seen this before!'”.

We learned from the Cast that the first ever table read took place at Daniel Craig‘s house where he greeted the Cast in a salmon-coloured shirt and Espadrilles! Johnson tells us about creating magic through his talented Ensemble.

Johnson: “It’s as simple as getting the best Actors you possibly can get. My head spins when I think we were able to get this group together. There’s also the added element of it’s a little bit like throwing a dinner party. It is an Ensemble, we know we’re going to be on-location together and kind of be stuck together for a while. You’re also trying to cast cool people who are hopefully going to get along and have a good time together.”.

Kate Hudson, who plays former Supermodel-turned Fashion Designer Birdie Jay, tells us about chasing the much-sought-after chance to work with Johnson.

Hudson: “I chased Rian. I was slipped the Script and we knew the part was to be cast. I was like, ‘Get me in the room. Rian said ‘Come and let’s see what you can do with Birdie’, and I did my best and that best seemed to find me here.”.

Kathryn Hahn plays Claire Debella, Governor of Connecticut and equates the experience of working on this Sequel, to being in a theatre ensemble.

Hahn: “It goes back to a sense of egolessness among these humans. We did get to and have to spend every single day really together. It felt like there was a backstage and an onstage. We had these holding areas where we were all together and ate our lunches together for the most part. It felt very much like we were in a theatre ensemble. It did have that kind of grace. Rian was able to find a group of humans who had that – and that is really rare. A group of people who were able to just be there for the thing. And also starting with Daniel who had been through the experience before and was there with such a welcoming generosity of spirit for every single person. There were so many shots where the camera was on one person but I wish you could turn it around to see everyone crowded around for someone’s reaction shot, which was pretty remarkable and hilarious.”.

Leslie Odom Jr. having starred on Broadway’s “Hamilton” is no stranger to working with a tight-knit Ensemble and also speaks highly of the experience working on GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. He stars as Lionel Toussaint, a Scientist who works for Edward Norton‘s Billionaire Miles Bron.

Odom: “This is one of the best Ensembles. It’s really an impossible thing to achieve without leadership. It happens from top-down. You can’t lead from the bottom or middle of all sheet. It’s really Rian, Daniel and Ram making it creative, persmissive and fun.”.

Norton also has fond memories working with the Cast.

Norton: “When someone like Rian calls and says ‘I’m basically gonna run a summer camp for deeply-unserious people, I need people willing to ham it up’ – it was printed in the invite. I do think when you’re with a group of people and it becomes apparent the words ‘repetitive’ and ‘boring’ have never applied to any of them, it’s a lot of fun. I do think the experience of a summer theatre troupe is for a lot of us who came into this from theatre or the idea of being from a repertory company or an Ensemble, it has a special pleasure. It reminds you have your high school drama club for those of us who were dorky enough. There’s a funny irony to making films or doing theatre, it’s a bunch of adults playing dress-up pretending to be other people and it’s amazing how much seriousness we layer over that. When you liberate yourself from any pretention to be doing anything other than entertaining the audience and yourselves, it’s incredibly wonderful. And after a year and half in your pyjamas, it’s especially great.”.

Janelle Monáe dazzles as Cassandra “Andi” Brand, unlike any other role she’s ever played before. Her character is on the outs with her old group of friends and she tells us about preparing for the role.

Monáe: “I am a fan of everybody on this stage. Being able to work with Rian is a dream. I literally told myself if I ever had the opportunity, it’s a ‘yes’. After reading the Script, it was a ‘hell yes!’. This is a character you get to play with. So many layers, so mysterious. It took a lot of focus and there were moments where the Cast was out having a blast after they did their scenes and maybe I was in a corner upset, jealous, mad! No, no, no, I wasn’t! We’re in a murder mystery parties outside of filming a murder mystery and we’re in Greece, what can I complain about? I got an opportunity to grow as an Actor and also gained what I like to say is family.”.

Jessica Henwick stars as Peg, Birdie‘s Assistant and comments on Monáe‘s incredible fashion at said murder mystery parties and dinners.

Henwick: “It was amazing. It was a guaranteed serve. If Janelle was coming to dinner, it was gonna be a look and everyone else was underdressed.”.

Madelyn Cline who plays Whiskey, recalls finding-out she was joining this star-studded Ensemble.

Cline: “I was landing in New York – you know when you get close enough to the ground and everyone’s phone starts pinging, and got a message from Rian, ‘Would you have time for a call?’. I panic. He’s gonna tell me I didn’t get it. So I said, ‘In an hour’ and had to prepare myself. I was huddled in a corner at baggage claim when Rian asked if I wanted to be a part of it. Is that even a question? Of course I do! I proceeded to have best weekend of my life. So cheers to that!”.  

The Cast also comment on Craig‘s phenomenal work.

Hudson: “For me, just watching Daniel work was a privilege. He is a consummate professional. He shows-up ready to deliver every line. He honours Rian‘s word. Just to be a part of that and learn from that was really something”.

Hahn: “His Physical Comedy I’m just floored by. His control of his body and how he throws himself into this part physically is something I was so excited to watch. He really is a gamer in that department.”.

The Cast also comment on the fashion and whom they thought had the best costumes in the Film.

Norton: “Definitely Kathryn.”.

Hudson: “That beige rack was solid”.

Norton: “In the wardrobe room, they often have Polaroids of those who have been in before you. I hadn’t met anybody and I looked at the Polaroid wall and thought this Movie is gonna be really funny. I saw Dave Bautista in the crocodile skin bikini and thought there will be at least one good laugh in this Film!”.

Hudson: “Every time Kathryn walked in with a new beige, it was so deeply funny. That is the genius of Rian‘s writing. But Jenny (Eagan) creating each iconic look was so dreamy and the fittings I think for all of us after talking about it so much, when we walked into Jenny‘s fitting, immediately you saw your character come to life, stepping right into the character.  Everyone had that and Jenny was a real dream to work with.”.

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY is in select theatres November 23, 2022 and arrives December 23, 2022 on Netflix.

#FIRSTLOOK: “GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY” DETAILS ANNOUNCED

We LOVED KNIVES OUT and are so thrilled a follow-up will be out this Holiday Season! Details have been unpeeled about GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. 🧅

Logline: 
In the follow up to Rian Johnson‘s KNIVES OUT, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista

More to come.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#TIFF20: “ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI”

By Mr. Will Wong

Following-up on her Oscar-winning work in If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King makes her Feature directorial debut at TIFF ‘ 20 with ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, which though set in the past, still asks very timely questions facing the world today.

The Film is set one night in February 1964 uniting real-life friends and icons Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) as they celebrate the former’s win in the boxing ring, crowning him Heavyweight Champion of the World. What ensues is hard-hitting dialogue which digs deep into some of the issues facing their community and where they stand in the big picture as important figures.

Based on Kemp Powers‘ Play of the same name, King is working with some tremendous talent with this Ensemble and with these great minds within the confines of a swanky hotel room, discussions get intense, heated and at once humorous. Clay is about to be renamed Muhammad Ali and is about the announce to the world that he has converting to Islam, but not without some hesitation. Brown after a successful career in Football, is about to accept a role in a Western film which would lead to a successful acting career with high-paying roles. Cooke navigates his world as a Pop Star, but is longing to sing about something more meaningful. Malcolm X as a prominent figure of the Civil Rights movement and Spokesman for the Nation of Islam, is about to get assassinated.

The Film poses some thought-provoking discussion within the Black community about how the world is perceived differently between those who are light-skinned versus dark-skinned; what it means for a Black Entertainer to be paid well when it comes at the cost of their dignity and their community; or what it means to be revered publicly, but not to be welcome into someone’s home because of the colour of one’s skin.

One poignant scene in particular has Ben-Adir‘s Malcolm X in a chilling plea to his brothers that still resonates to this day amidst the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. He states that there is no more room for standing on the fence anymore with black people dying on the streets every day. “Either you stand on this side with us or that side against us”, he says. Another moment in the Film talks to White Privilege and how a black person is expected to feel indebted to a white person who wasn’t horrible to them. This falls in-line with the current thought that it isn’t enough to be “nice” and that what is required is that we be actively be Anti-Racist.

King succeeds largely in this superb first Feature, giving us a tightly-written and directed Film which while set almost 60 years ago today, has some uncannily-relevant messaging that needs to be revisited today.

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI screens TIFF ’20 as follows:

Fri, Sep 11
Visa Skyline Drive-In at CityView
7:45pm

Sun, Sep 13
Online at Bell Digital Cinema
Streaming in Canada. Available from:
6:00pm

Wed, Sep 16
TIFF Bell Lightbox
4K

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “HAMILTON”

Here’s your first look at HAMILTON, coming soon to Disney+!

Synopsis:

An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” combines the best elements of live theatre, film and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. Filming was produced by RadicalMedia. The 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Award®-, Olivier Award– and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.

See the Trailer:

HAMILTON arrives on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#NEWMUSIC: SIA – “TOGETHER” FROM “MUSIC”

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Sia, who just released the first single from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to MUSIC, which she wrote and directed! The Film starring Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom, Jr. The Film centers on an autistic teen cared for by her drug-dealing older sister.

 

Check-out TOGETHER below:

 

MUSIC is in theatres this September via Universal Pictures.

 

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#FIRSTLOOK: “HAMILTON” THE FILM OF THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION

For the many of us who still haven’t see HAMILTON, Disney will be releasing a Film version of the 11-time TONY Award-winning Musical.

The live-capture Film breaks new ground, transporting its audience into the world of a Broadway show in a new way. The Cast in the Film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

 

The Film was shot in June 2016 at at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.

HAMILTON will stream on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

 

(Photo credit: Joan Marcus)

#SPOTTED: STARS IN TORONTO FOR FALL 2014/MID-SEASON 2015 SHAW MEDIA UPFRONTS

The 2014 Canadian Upfronts are in full swing and Shaw Media truly upped their game this year unveiling their upcoming Fall and 2015 Mid-Season Lineups.  Heavy on its focus on new American programming for its Global Television, over 50 new Programs also were picked-up on their Specialty Networks (i.e. Showcase, History, HGTV, Food, Slice, DTour and Lifetime).

A litany of Talent representing a wide array of Shaw Media programming, appeared at Elgin Theatre today to celebrate the occasion.

 

Among the new Series being acquired were:

Partners

Mulaney

Madam Secretary

Border Security

Constantine

Stalker

A to Z

Bad Judge

Gracepoint

State of Affairs

Outlander

Dominion

Satisfaction

The Red Tent

The Hunt

Down East Dickering

Pawnography

Biker Battleground Phoenix

Houdini

UFO X-Files

Mummies Alive

Dino Hunt

Texas Rising

Reno Rookies

Mike’s Ultimate Garage

House Hunters International Renovation

Sold on the Spot

The Jennie Garth Project

My Big Family Renovation

Lakefront Bargain Hunt

Vacation House for Free

Ellen’s Design Challenge

Custom Built

The Expendables

Carnival Eats

Food Truck Face Off

Farmhouse Rules

Chopped: Ultimate Chopped Champions Tournament

Chopped Teens

Great Canadian Cookbook

The Singles Project

Extreme Guide to Parenting

Handsome Devils

Ladies of London

Million Dollar Listing Miami

Online Dating Rituals of the American Male

See No Evil

Southern Charm

Ghost Adventures: Aftershock

Border Security Australia

Hotel Secrets & Legends

Resort Rescue

Little Women: LA

Deliverance Creek

Un-Real

In attendance today were: Kevin Zegers, Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Megan Boone (The Blacklist), Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Charles Barnett (Chicago Fire), Jesse Lee Soffer (Chicago P.D.), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Sara Canning (Remedy), Enrico Colantoni (Remedy), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue), Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Susur Lee (Chopped Canada), Leslie Odom Jr. (State of Affairs), in addition Shaw‘s fine roster of Talent including personalities like Cheryl Hickey, John Catucci, Leslie Roberts, Antony Robart, Roz Weston and several more.

For more information on Shaw‘s upcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)