Lupita Nyong’o
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “THE WILD ROBOT”
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of THE WILD ROBOT!
Advance screenings for THE WILD ROBOT will be held Monday, September 23 at 7 pm in:
· Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre
· Montreal (EN): Cinema Banque Scotia
· Montreal (FR): StarCite
· Vancouver: Scotiabank Theatre
Synopsis:
From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot.
The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.
The Wild Robot stars Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (Us, TheBlack Panther franchise) as robot Roz; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as fox Fink; Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Best in Show) as opossum Pinktail; Oscar® nominee Bill Nighy (Living, Love Actually) as goose Longneck; Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Rocketman) as gosling Brightbill and Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once, this summer’s The Fall Guy) as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island.
The film also features the voice talents of Emmy winning pop-culture icon Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise, The Boy and the Heron), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, The SpongeBob Movie franchise) and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible films, Pulp Fiction).
A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of thebridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things, The Wild Robot is written and directed by three-time Oscar® nominee Chris Sanders—thewriter-director of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, TheCroods, and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch—and is produced by Jeff Hermann (DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby 2: Family Business; co-producer, Kung Fu Panda franchise).
Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot, an illustrated middle-grade novel first published in 2016, became a phenomenon, rocketing to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The book has since inspired a trilogy that now includes The Wild Robot Escapes and The Wild Robot Protects. Brown’s work on the Wild Robot series and his other bestselling books have earned him a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Awards, two E.B. White Honors, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, a Golden Kite Award and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award.
Genre: Animated Drama
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor and Stephanie Hsu, with Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames
Based on: The Wild Robot novel by Peter Brown
Written and directed by: Chris Sanders
Producer: Jeff Hermann
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, tell us which city you’re in. Click “like” on this Post on our X or IG accounts for an extra chance. Tag a friend you’d bring with you!
Rules and regulations here.
THE WILD ROBOT is only in theatres September 27, 2024.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE 355”
We’ve waited forever for this and the new Trailer for THE 355 finally has surfaced!
Synopsis:
When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Oscar®-nominated actress Jessica Chastain) will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie (Diane Kruger, In the Fade), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Oscar® winner Penélope Cruz) on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying one-step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan, X-Men: Days of Future Past), who is tracking their every move.
As the action rockets around the globe from the cafes of Paris to the markets of Morocco to the opulent auction houses of Shanghai, the quartet of women will forge a tenuous loyalty that could protect the world—or get them killed.
The film also stars Édgar Ramirez (The Girl on the Train) and Sebastian Stan (Avengers: Endgame).
THE 355 is in theatres January 7, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE 355”
Check-out this Trailer for THE 355 which boasts a phenomenal female Cast!
Synopsis:
A dream team of formidable female stars come together in a hard-driving original approach to the globe-trotting espionage genre in The 355.
When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Oscar®-nominated actress Jessica Chastain) will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie (Diane Kruger, In the Fade), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Oscar® winner Penélope Cruz) on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying one-step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan, X-Men: Days of Future Past), who is tracking their every move.
As the action rockets around the globe from the cafes of Paris to the markets of Morocco to the wealth and glamour of Shanghai, the quartet of women will forge a tenuous loyalty that could protect the world—or get them killed.
See the Trailer:
eOne Films release THE 355 is in theatres January 15, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW HI-RES POSTERS FROM “STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER”
Some new Character Posters from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to get excited about!
Synopsis:
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.
See them all:
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in theatres on December 19, 2020.
(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN “US” ON BLU-RAY
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of US on Blu-ray!
Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.
Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.
After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.
Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance to win!
US is in stores Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment/Universal Pictures)
#SXSW: “US” REVIEW
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Us follows a family on vacation who soon realize they are being hunted by a family, who look exactly like them.
Writer-Director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the spectacular Get Out is a suspenseful, frightening and at once stylish piece. Once again Peele has crafted an entirely unique Film, for the second time in a row, that will shock and stick with viewers long after the credits roll.
His phenomenal Cast, who are playing two characters each, are a mix of seasoned Actors and those who are just getting their start. Lupita Nyong’o has reached new heights as the unrelenting Adeline and her doppelganger. Winston Duke gets to show his range with a comedic and layered performance. Elisabeth Moss is a standout as the liquor-infused family friend. And the two Actors who steal the show are Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as the children and their twisted doppelgangers. The many twists and beautiful dual imagery that’s displayed throughout proves that Peele is an undeniable talent.
Us only has one screening at SXSW and that is on March 8 at 6:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “US”
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to see US at an advance screening!
Screenings take place in Toronto + Montreal on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.
Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.
After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.
Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance to win!
US is in theatres Friday, March 22, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: “US” SUPER BOWL TV SPOT
The buzz for US continues to build feverishly. If you missed last night’s Super Bowl TV Spot, you must check it out here!
Synopsis:
Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us, from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.
Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family.
After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers (Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Cali Sheldon, Noelle Sheldon), Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home to discover the silhouettes of four figures standing in their driveway. Us pits an ordinary American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.
See the Trailer:
Universal Pictures Canada release US Friday, March 22, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
#SUNDANCE: “LITTLE MONSTERS”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Little Monsters follows Kindergarten Teacher Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o) and her class on a trip to a local Australian zoo. What the class, herself and unenthused chaperon Dave (Alexander England) soon realize, is that they are trapped there and being hunted by zombies.
Writer-Director Abe Forsythe has created a Genre-Comedy that could be an instant hit. The comedic timing of everyone involved, both behind and in-front of the camera, is perfect. The Script is tightly-written and offers ample amounts of wit. Nyong’o excels and we get a range we haven’t seen prior from the Oscar winner. England is unbelievably-funny in his cluelessness as an uncle of one of the the kids. Josh Gad also is fantastic as a popular child TV Programme Host, who isn’t so kid-friendly in person.
Little Monsters screens at Sundance on Jan 27 at 11:59PM at Library PC, Jan 29 at 2:30PM at The MARC PC, Jan 30 at 11:45PM at Egyptian PC, Jan 31 at 12:30PM at The Ray PC, and Feb 2 at 11:59PM at Tower SLC.
#INTERVIEW: DANAI GURIRA ON “BLACK PANTHER”
Huge things are expected of Marvel’s long-awaited BLACK PANTHER and with just another week to go till release, Toronto Fans were treated to a celebratory Canadian Premiere for the Ryan Coogler-directed Film. Fans queued hours for a chance at rush tickets to the event graced by none other than star Danai Gurira, known best for her work on AMC’s acclaimed series The Walking Dead as Michonne.
The groundbreaking Blockbuster comes with raves based on its Los Angeles Premiere last week and members of the Cast were just in South Korea to promote the Film too.
BLACK PANTHER is set in a technologically-advanced African nation called Wakanda, where upon the death of his father, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) rises to the throne as a successor king. He summons the help of the warriors Dora Milaje led by Okoye (Danai Gurira), his estranged wife Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), among others to defend what he is due by birthright. Unexpected challengers surface suddenly to overthrow him, also threatening to cause chaos in the world with weapons made from a precious element native to Wakanda called Vibranium.
We ask a dazzling Gurira dressed in black and gold, about being approached by Coogler who admittedly had never seen The Walking Dead when reaching out to her.
Gurira: “He had seen me in a Movie that was same time as Fruitvale Station at Sundance and that Movie was called The Mother of George. So it was from that quiet Indie he became interested in working with me. This came to pass and he wrote a role with me in mind. As an Actor, nothing really tops that because I had so much respect for him. I was just so proud of him, this young man who came out of grad school and made this type of an impact. He’s so humble, so sweet, such a good guy.”.
One of the greatest things about BLACK PANTHER is its element of humour and often we see its characters are aware of the world beyond Wakanda. Likewise, Gurira’s Okoye keeps Boseman‘s T’Challa in-check when he struggles. We ask her about her experience working with the Film’s leading man.
Gurira: “He’s such a fantastic quintessential leading man. He really helms things with a quiet, calm energy that just allows everyone to feel valued and connected to him. He’s an astounding collaborator and he respects people’s thoughts and opinions. He’s a deep thinker and a great writer and storyteller himself. Working with him is really easy.”
Gurira tells us the toughest part about getting into Okoye‘s headspace.
Gurira: “I’m not as much a traditionalist as she is, I’m more a modernist. I loved that about her and I understood it, but it wasn’t where I come from. But really this let me connect more deeply with the essence to really what Wakanda speaks to, which is African self-determination. That to me is something I totally can latch-on to, this idea of a nation that has never been colonized and a need to protect that. That I could connect to.”.
Hover left and right to see photos of Gurira on tonight’s Carpet:
The Canadian Premiere saw local talent like Kardinal Offishall, Jazz Cartier, Pree and Arkells come out to show their support. We had the pleasure of speaking to Kardinal Offishall, Priya and Arkells about what BLACK PANTHER means to them.
Kardinal Offishall: “I think since the time I was a kid, the possibility that there could be something that took place – even though it’s fictional – in a world dominated by people of colour, used to be unbelievable. It’s not a Movie that is going to be limited to people of colour as the story is universal. It’s just going to be amazing for everyone to watch this Movie. I think positive imagery that shows people who look like me in a different light, these are all things that are super-necessary, especially for the time we’re living in.”.
Offishall admits he has heard Soundtrack (out Friday, February 9, 2018 via Universal Music Canada) single All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, thus far and gives a vote of confidence, stating “Kendrick having a hand in forming what it’s gonna sound like, I’m sure sonically it’s gonna be incredible.”.
Arkells: “Normally when we’re invited to these things, we’re on the road. On Twitter I saw last week people were going nuts about this Movie.”.
On their four JUNO nominations today, lead singer Max Kerman admits, “We planned on getting no JUNO nominations.”. The Band does plan to be in Vancouver for the Awards on Sunday, March 25, 2018 airing on CBC at 8:00 PM ET.
Also don’t forget to check-out the BLACK PANTHER EXPERIENCE as it tours Southern Ontario. It allows you to connect BLACK PANTHER to upcoming release AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and witness Black Panther in marvelous AR Technology. Stops are as follows:
OTTAWA
Winterlude Festival – February 9-11
TORONTO
Cineplex Cinemas Queensway and VIP – February 13
CN Tower – February 17 & 18
Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough – February 20
Hover left and right to navigate slideshow:
See our Chats with Kardinal Offishall, The Arkells and Gurira:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Photography taken on the NIKON D3300.
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