After garnering much acclaim out of TIFF ’19, Destin Daniel Cretton‘s JUST MERCY is soon to hit theatres. The powerful Drama based on a true story about one man’s wrongful conviction and the lawyer who went to battle for him in a history-making fight for justice. The Film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson.

See the Trailer:

For a limited time only, Toronto will get a chance to witness the #JustMercyNOW Experience courtesy of Warner Bros. Canada and Innocence Canada. The latter since its inception has successfully exonerated 23 innocent people put who were imprisoned.

The installation gives us a peak what it’s like to be in an inmate visitation area, while hearing true stories of wrongful conviction told by the brilliant Cast of Just Mercy and advocate George Stroumboulopoulos.

WHEN: Open to the public from January 7 to 9 from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Brookfield Place (concourse level)

See some Snaps of the #JustMercyNOW Experience:

Can’t make it out? Listen to some of these powerful stories:

Michael B. Jordan

Brie Larson

Jamie Foxx

JUST MERCY is in theatres everywhere Friday, January 10, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros. Canada)

We are thrilled to give our Readers a chance to see acclaimed TIFF ’19 selection JUST MERCY!

VANCOUVER
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex Cinemas Marine Gateway and VIP
452 SW Marine Dr

Vancouver BC, V5X 0C3

MONTREAL EN
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex Odeon Forum Cinemas

2313 St. Catherine St. W. Suite 101

Montreal Quebec, H3H 1N2

MONTREAL FR
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex Quartier Latin
350 Rue Emery
Montreal QC, H2X 1J1

EDMONTON
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2

OTTAWA
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Drive
Ottawa ON, K1J 1G1

CALGARY
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary AB, T2H 0K4

WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St. James Street
Winnipeg MB, R3G 3L3

HALIFAX
Screening details:
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5

Synopsis:
Michael B. Jordan and Oscar winners Jamie Foxx (“Ray,” “Baby Driver,” “Django: Unchained”) and Brie Larson (“Room,” “Short Term 12,” “Captain Marvel”) star in “Just Mercy,” an inspiring drama that brings one of the most important stories of our time to the big screen.

Award-winning filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton (“The Glass Castle,” “Short Term 12”) directed the film from a screenplay he co-wrote, based on Bryan Stevenson’s bestselling memoir.

“Just Mercy” is based on the powerful and thought-provoking true story of young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Larson). One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the main testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings, as well as overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds—and the system— stacked against them.

The main cast also includes Rob Morgan (“Mudbound”) as Herbert Richardson, a fellow prisoner who also sits on death row awaiting his fate; Tim Blake Nelson (“Wormwood”) as Ralph Myers, whose pivotal testimony against Walter McMillian is called into question; Rafe Spall (“The Big Short”) as Tommy Chapman, the DA who is fighting to uphold Walter’s conviction and sentence; O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Straight Outta Compton”) as Anthony Ray Hinton, another wrongly convicted death row inmate whose cause is taken up by Bryan; and Karan Kendrick (“The Hate U Give”) as Walter’s wife, Minnie McMillian, who stands by her husband.

The film was produced by two-time Oscar nominee Gil Netter (“Life of Pi,” “The Blind Side”), Asher Goldstein (“Short Term 12”) and Michael B. Jordan. Bryan Stevenson, Mike Drake, Niija Kuykendall, Gabriel Hammond, Daniel Hammond, Scott Budnick, Jeff Skoll and Charles D. King served as executive producers.

Cretton co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Lanham (“The Glass Castle”), based on Stevenson’s book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Published in 2014 by Spiegel & Grau, the book has spent more than 180 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers List and counting. It was also named one of the year’s best books by a number of top publications, including TIME Magazine. For the book, Stevenson also won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence, an NAACP Image Award, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Nonfiction.\

Cretton’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Brett Pawlak, production designer Sharon Seymour, editor Nat Sanders and composer Joel P West, all of whom previously collaborated with the director on “The Glass Castle.” They are joined by costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (“Detroit,” “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in Association with Endeavor Content/One Community/Participant Media/Macro, a Gil Netter Production, an Outlier Society Production,

“Just Mercy.” The film is slated for limited release on December 25, 2019 and will go wide on January 10, 2020. “Just Mercy” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and has been rated PG-13 for thematic content, including some racial epithets.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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JUST MERCY is in theatres Friday, January 12, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

The path to stardom has been meteoric for Michael B. Jordan. After an acclaimed breakout role in 2013’s Fruitvale Station, the Los Angeles-based Actor quickly has risen to Hollywood’s top-tier of talent with high-profile roles in critical and commercial successes Creed and Black Panther.  In addition to a surprise visit to Toronto to promote his latest effort Creed II, in which he reprises the titular role of boxer Adonis Creed, he also made time to do good for our community. Jordan returns to the City after having filmed HBO‘s Fahrenheit 451 here last year and also having promoted Creed here back in 2015.

MLSE LaunchPad is situated in Toronto’s Moss Park, a collaborative workspace designed to help youth realize their fullest potential through discipline, goal setting and athletic excellence. The 42,000sq ft space just launched its first ever boxing program. Jordan presented a special group of high-achievers who were hyped-up prior by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Carlton the Bear and the Toronto Raptors’ Raptor, not only a chance to see Creed II first last night courtesy of Warner Bros. Canada, but also a large volume of boxing equipment empowering them to fortify their life and boxing skills.  The Venue’s Director of Sports Programming Justin Bobb unveiled the generous donation behind a curtain, from which Jordan appeared as a surprise.  He came out, greeted to a room of cheers surrounded by youth rushing to his side for a Photo Op.

See the Trailer for Creed II:

Our David Baldwin had the chance to chat with Jordan about the eagerly-awaited followup to 2015’s Oscar-winning Creed.  Jordan, in town for a quick minute met a line of select local Media before heading off to his next destination on the Film’s Press Tour.  He was asked what drew him to make such a charitable donation for Toronto’s youth and also about leaving behind his own mark.

Jordan tells us, “I feel awesome doing it. It’s not hard to get me here, they are the future. You invest positivity in them and if we really raise them the right way, we can really change the world. Anything to do with kids, I’m always showing up for.”.

We ask about Jordan and his part in the Rocky legacy. He states, “My and Ryan (Coogler) really wanted to focus on creating Creed’s legacy, we really wanted to focus on him and to have his own franchise. Lucky enough for us we were able to have two movies and hopefully we’ll see more.”.

See the Chat below and highlights from Jordan‘s appearance:

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:

(Swipe left!) The dazzling #DanaiGurira at tonight’s Canadian Premiere of #BlackPanther. Opens 2.16.18. She’s in #Valentino. #BlackPantherTO #Michonne #TheWalkingDead #BlackPantherCA

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 6, 2018 at 10:09pm PST

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:

(Swipe left!) Do not forget to check-out the #BlackPanther Experience as it tours Southern Ontario! You can get a snap with him in amazing AR Technology and connect the Film to #AvengersInfinityWar! Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER hits theatres 2.16.18. Dates: OTTAWA Winterlude Festival – February 9-11 TORONTO Cineplex Cinemas Queensway and VIP – February 13CN Tower – February 17 & 18Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough – February 20

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 6, 2018 at 9:06pm PST

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.

Los Angeles got lit last night as the World Premiere of BLACK PANTHER took place. The starpower was incredible with several A-List names came out to show support for what is looking to be a smash hit for Marvel/Disney. Initial reviews coming-out are incredible and we’re super-excited for this Film.  Names like Jon Voigt, Elizabeth Banks, Usher, Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, Kendrick Lamar, Donald Glover and several more attended the night.

See some Pics of the Cast and notable guests:

If you’re in Quebec City or Southern Ontario, don’t forget to check-out the BLACK PANTHER EXPERIENCE as it tours these regions and experience AR Technology and connect Black Panther to Avengers: Infinity War!

Dates:

BLUE MOUNTAIN
• Winter Fest, Blue Mountain Village – January 27 & 28

QUEBEC CITY
• Carnaval De Quebec – February 2-4

OTTAWA
• Winterlude Festival – February 9-11

TORONTO
• Cineplex Cinemas Queensway and VIP – February 13
• CN Tower – February 17 & 18
• Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough – February 20

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Hey Daddy! Michael Shannon has been in town for the past month or so filming HBO‘s Ray Bradbury Adaptation FAHRENHEIT 451 and while we saw him a few times on-set, it was nice to see him out enjoying what’s left of our Summer with his Family today!  We hear that he’s been burning the midnight oil in recent weeks as the Production films overnight and it should be wrapping in the next few days before the TIFF ’17 madness ensues. We’ll be seeing this brilliant actor in two Films at the Festival, THE CURRENT WAR and and Toronto-made THE SHAPE OF WATER.

See the Snap. We honestly didn’t even know he was married with kids!

Hey Daddy! Spotted this brilliant actor out and about with his family. #MichaelShannon enters the home stretch for HBO Film #Fahrenheit451. 🔥

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 1, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Few stars are rising faster than Sofia Boutella’s. The Algerian-French Actress/Dancer has been in Toronto for just over a week and today began work on HBO‘s dystopian Ray Bradbury Novel Adaptation, FAHRENHEIT 451. The Film, which she tells us will be released next September, stars also Michael B. Jordan  (who also produces) and Michael Shannon.

Seen recently in KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, STAR TREK BEYOND, THE MUMMY and currently in ATOMIC BLONDE, Boutella‘s streak isn’t stopping any time soon. Taking an unconventional path to Hollywood, once a dancer for Madonna, Boutella finally is ready for her close-up.

Since arriving in Toronto, Boutella has enjoyed a bit of downtime with her partner, actor Robert Sheehan (The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones…also made in Toronto!) and found time to discover Kensington Market and see Kendrick Lamar in concert. She even stopped by the set in the City’s east end to say “hi” on her day off yesterday.

Boutella wrapping late on her first day on set, was amazing to stop for autographs and selfies at 2:00 AM wrapping a day in the west end. We loved meeting her and she had nothing but praise for Charlize Theron working with her on Atomic Blonde.

Production moves to Hamilton and Brampton shortly.

See our Selfie:

Hollywood’s new incredibly-sweet “It Girl”. #SofiaBoutella in #Toronto filming HBO’s #Fahrenheit451. She currently can be seen in #AtomicBlonde alongside Charlize Theron and recently in #TheMummy and #StarTrekBeyond.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2017 at 6:15am PDT

Fahrenheit 451 wraps in September.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Pictures)

Production is well under way for HBO‘s FAHRENHEIT 451, based on the Ray Bradbury Novel set in a dystopian world where media is an opiate, history is outlawed and where Firemen burn books.

In addition to serving as Executive Producer, the Film stars Michael B. Jordan (Creed, Black Panther) in its lead role. The Film stars also Michael Shannon as his mentor, whom he is at odds with trying to find greater humanity. Toronto’s Lilly Singh was just added to the Cast and Atomic Blonde star Sofia Boutella also stars.

While Shannon was in character, opting not to stop for photos, we spotted Jordan on a break filming on a campus in the east end into the late hours of the night. Very cautious not to be seen in wardrobe, Jordan stopped for a couple Selfies. He’s just as nice as we remember! Jordan, who next can be seen in Marvel‘s Black Panther as Erik Killmonger, last visited Toronto in 2015 for Creed.

See our Snap:

Loved seeing again #MichaelBJordan, in town filming #Fahrenheit451 for HBO. He next can be seen in 2018’s #BlackPanther from Marvel.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 29, 2017 at 4:23am PDT

FAHRENHEIT 451 wraps production in September.

(Photo credit: HBO/Mr. Will Wong)

While it isn’t in theatres till early next year, we finally get this new tease for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER!

Synopsis:
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

See the Trailer:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

The Rocky franchise is one of those film series that might go down at times but can never be counted out. Everyone had thought that the storied franchise was done after 2006’s Rocky Balboa but new life was breathed into the franchise with last fall’s surprise blockbuster, Creed.

Creed was a massive critical and financial success that helped to successfully reboot the rapidly aging franchise for a new generation. The film grossed $173.6 million on a measly $35 million budget and made newcomer Michael B. Jordan into a bona fide star. It even helped to earn Sylvester Stallone an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Creed actually managed to revive Rocky in the video game world, too. It brought about a mobile fighting game for smart devices, Real Boxing 2, as well as new a licensed casino title based on the franchise at large. This site called the latter a “heavyweight slot” that “packs a punch,” as players are encouraged to step into the ring against some of the most famous adversaries of the Italian Stallion from throughout the series. With this level of success in the theatres and even in gaming, it comes as no surprise that there’s already talk of a sequel to Creed. And we have the low down on some of the most enticing rumours for the upcoming film, including several seriously big cameos.

Much of Creed‘s success came from the unflinching realism of the film. One of the reasons the fights looked so real is these largely weren’t actors in the ring. Creed starred several real-life fighters as the opponents of the titular character; former super-middleweight champion Andre Ward played Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler and former light-middleweight champion Gabriel Rosado played another of Creed’s challengers. In fact, Creed’s opponent in the final bout was none other than current EBU cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, so naturally we’re already thinking ahead of which fighters might make an appearance in the sequel.

Few fighters are more popular (or as talented) as Irishman Conor McGregor and according to one blog, director Ryan Coogler had hinted that he’d love to have McGregor at least make a cameo in the next film in the series. Unfortunately, it might be a long shot for fans of “The Notorious” as it definitely won’t be happening with Coogler at the helm. The director has been forced to drop out of the project due to his commitment for the upcoming Marvel film, Black Panther.

Thankfully, rising star Michael B. Jordan is still completely on board and he has big ideas for what to expect from a sequel. This article states that the actor feels the sequel needs a proper villain, not dissimilar to Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. He was actually responsible for the death of Creed‘s father, Apollo, and as close to a true villain the series has ever gotten. If Creed 2 ends up looking more like Rocky IV, we’re more than OK with that. It’s one of the best films in the franchise and it’d be great to see Jordan fight up against an honest-to-goodness bad guy. Who knows, maybe Conor McGregor might be just the man for the job.