Marvel‘s First Family have long been overdue for their big moment and Marvel‘s THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS soon will re-introduce audiences to Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) in a way never seen before!

Directed by Matt Shakman, this long-awaited Blockbuster sees the Family in a retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired world. They must balance their families privately, with their public personas as heroes, as they must defend the universe from the imminent threat of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

We are delighted to sit in on the global press conference with the Creators and Cast of Marvel‘s THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS with:

Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman)
Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing)
Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch)
Julia Garner (Silver Surfer)
Ralph Ineson (Galactus)
Matt Shakman (Director)

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige tells us about the time being right bringing Marvel’s First Family to the big screen in a new way.

Feige: I’m incredibly excited. Now is time to do it because we finally got the rights to it. And the other reason is that we’ve assembled an incredible Cast. It’s very exciting that people are now seeing the Movie. We and Matt have been working very hard for years to bring Marvel’s First Family to life in a way that we felt would fit within the world we created, even though the Film very much stands alone and apart. Even though everyone in this Film is very tired, having already shot half of their next appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.

Shakman talks about what went behind this Film’s very unique timeline.

Shakman: I’m a huge Fantastic Four fan and have been since I was a kid, so it was a huge honour getting to bring these characters to the MCU. We knew they were such public figures and leading lights of their age and era, that we would’ve heard about them by now, so we had to put them in a different era, a different universe, different earth. This meant we had chance to build a different retro-future 1960s. The same energy and effort we put into Wandavision to build all these sitcom realities, we put into this retro-future world here that is a combination of Jack Kirby and Stanley Kubrick‘s 2001.

Vanessa Kirby talks about bringing Sue Storm to the screen in this latest iteration of her.

Kirby: I mean, it’s already there in the Comics over the decades, it always seemed to me kinda revolutionary to have a mother at the center of this family, but absolutely part of the team and never left on her own. When I met Matt and Kevin for the first time and we started talking about Sue, they were so passionate about her. It was so exciting to me the idea of this pregnant superhero, a working mother. Even during shooting, it was surreal, really, because of this pregnancy bump. I was so included in everything. Matt and Kevin were such huge champions of having her be in it and as complex, fierce, loving and warm – all the things they think ‘feminine’ is. It was very daunting and a great honour to play her. I’m just one of many who have gotten to know her over years.

Pedro Pascal talks about navigating Reed Richards‘ grief, new fatherhood and how Shankman (and his daughter) helped.

Pascal: My favourite thing about it is actually that this person who is so brilliant and so comfortable with figuring out the most complex science equations to create solutions for everything, or to continue understanding how the world and beyond functions. But without really knowing how to understand the much more complex equation of relationships, family and love and growing in a relationship as a friend, partner, and then of course, as a father. He handles it by ‘babyproofing’ the world rather than just being present for the experience. This is definitely something Matt guided me through – the emotional arc and details, as I’m not a father and can only imagine what it is. Matt’s daughter got me the part. She sold me some Lemonade and that was it. Look it up!

Conversations with Matt about Reed were my entry point into the character.

Joseph Quinn talks about becoming Johnny Storm.

Quinn: There’s something quite aspirational about this Johnny and they way he uses space. He’s a bit of searcher, looking for answers. All of these four characters are sentenced to this idea of responsibility and superpower and having this public-facing life. He’s looking for answers outside of it. There was something inherently in the Script – someone that was fully grounded and not two-dimensional. I was just very fortunate. It was a delight diving-in and having a laugh.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach reflects upon his experience working with this brilliant Ensemble.

Moss–Bachrach: There is a limit to how much you can build, but we were incredibly-blessed. Matt was wise to put us four together. They say you can know in first ten seconds and we all hit if off in the beginning and through the five-to-six months of making this Movie. This was not a ‘trauma-bonder’, but it’s like you’re pushing a boat over a mountain. We spent many days and hours together, all pleasurable. I’m grateful to still be hanging out with family.

I’ve never done Performance-Capture work and that attracted me to the Movie. I wanted to explore this method of acting and to get to play this incredible, strong, heavy character. I had some anxiety and nerves as it was a dim departure, but melted away in a couple days. It was really freeing.

Ralph Ineson discusses the gargantuan task of becoming Galactus.

Ineson: It happened over few months. Every few weeks I got to stand in front of a three-way mirror and look at the character. It was art and engineering, a 350 lb huge, muscular thing. It was wearable design, incredible.

Shakman: Ralph has one of most amazing voices in the world, but he lowered it an octave for this. The first time he debuted on the mic, it took my breath away.

Ineson: It takes a lot of breath to get your voice that way, and to get a growl. It takes a lot of working out to do that. I’m quite pleased with it.

Julia Garner tells us about how there were a lot of firsts for her starring as Silver Surfer.

Garner: My first day on-set, they were welcoming, warm and comforting. It was the craziest first day on a job I’ve ever had. I was 30 feet in the air, there was a construction crane, it was at night, I had an earpiece and was hearing directions. Matt and Vanessa were there and it was wild, but I had so much fun!

Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in theatres July 25, 2025.  

In one month, Marvel’s first family flies into theatres around the globe. Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing are joined by H.E.R.B.I.E., the Silver Surfer and planet-eating cosmic being Galactus in a retro-fururistic thrill-ride! A new trailer and poster are available now to download and share.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis.

Showcasing Marvel’s First Family, Silver Surfer, H.E.R.B.I.E. and the retro-futuristic, 1960s vibe of Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a new trailer, poster and film stills are now available to download and share.

Opening in theatres July 25, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis.

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Passes to an Advance Screening of eagerly-awaited MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE!

Screenings take place July 6, 2023 in

TORONTO

MONTREAL (ENGLISH) 

MONTREAL (FRENCH)

EDMONTON

VANCOUVER 

Synopsis:

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments tell us which City you’re in. Re-Tweet this Tweet or click “share” on this Post on Facebook for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Paramount Pictures Canada release MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE July 12, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

By David Baldwin

Peter (Hugh Jackman) has it all. He is a big shot attorney being courted by D.C. for a Senator’s election bid and his new wife Beth (Vanessa Kirby) has just given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Peter’s older son Nicholas (Zen McGrath) is not doing great though – he is not getting along with his Mom, Peter’s ex Kate (Laura Dern), is not going to school and is suffering from severe depression and anxiety. Hearing this, Peter agrees to let Nicholas live with him and his new family in the hopes that his mental health will improve. Except it does not, it just gets worse.

THE SON is easily the most divisive movie I have seen at TIFF ’22. The discourse, anger and debate this Movie has already sparked is not quite at the level of The Whale, but it is going to get so much more heated after its theatrical release this Fall. Your “enjoyment” (I used the term loosely because THE SON is not very fun to watch) will entirely hinge on your feelings around Mental Health, specifically when it involves a child. I do not want to spoil where the Film goes – the foreshadowing motifs sprinkled throughout are about as subtle as a fire alarm – rather, I want to note that it careens into bleak and unsettling territory.

What also works against the Film is the inevitable comparisons to The Father. That film, like THE SON, was adapted by Zeller and Christopher Hampton from Zeller’s play and both feature tremendously intricate Production Design and a tortured character at its centre. Whereas that film focused on Anthony Hopkins’ towering, extraordinary performance, this Film spends more time with Jackman than it does McGrath’s titular character. And when McGrath does show up, he is whiny, annoying, cold, distant, melodramatic and unrefined. Some have punched down and have suggested it as being laughably bad. While I myself did not think it is a great performance, I would caution before saying it was bad. McGrath plays Nicholas as a scared, anxious and confused teenager who does not understand the feelings he is experiencing nor the ability to process them, so it makes perfect sense why he is so melodramatic and all over the place.

Elsewhere, both Dern and Kirby are sidelined through far too much of the Film (though the latter still slays every time she appears) and an explosive two-scene cameo from Hopkins is so incendiary that the Film is never able to match its energy afterwards. Which is all to say, Jackman has a lot of heavy lifting to do. He is up to the task and delivers a very good, albeit aggravating performance. You will just want to reach out and shake him violently for his character’s arrogance and callousness towards his son’s precarious situation. Worse, his spectacular “Oscar” scene comes in the form of a 10-minute epilogue that does not really need to be there. Which is a hell of a shame.

THE SON screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 9:00pm

Tue, Sep 13 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 12:00pm

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

In eighteenth-century upstate New York, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) is grieving the loss of her daughter. She begins keeping track of her mundane rural life and interactions with her husband, Dyer (Casey Affleck), by journaling. Her grief slowly begins to alleviate when Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) and her husband Finney (Christopher Abbott) move into a neighbouring cabin.

Director Mona Fastvold creates a beautiful film that depicts grief and love. She works from the Script, written by Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard, that shows life as a settler in the eighteenth-century. Through these four characters, the Film is filled with the knowledge of the oppression and expectations of women during the time. Fastvold perfectly captures this life with stunning shots of candlelit cabins and breathtaking landscapes.

A lot of the speech in The World to Come is from the narration of Abigail. As she keeps her journal, the audience hears her hidden emotions and desires. It’s difficult to execute heavy narration on-screen but Fastvold, Hansen, Shepard and the powerful voice work from Waterston make it an asset. It’s used as a way to get exposition across swiftly and it’s delivered emotionally by Waterston.

This sweeping romance is a captivating watch due to the stellar performances from its ensemble. Waterston is brilliant as the restrained Abigail. She has the ability to show both Abigail’s sorrow alleviating and her love blossoming for Tallie through each interaction. Kirby gives a commanding performance as the confident and direct Tallie. The use of her stature and voice is captivating. Waterston and Kirby work perfectly together and have powerful chemistry.

Additionally, The World to Come takes a look male fragility during the eighteenth-century. They do this primarily through the character of Finney. His anger is targeted towards Tallie due to her not doing household ‘duties’ and producing a child. As this was expected of women at the time, Finney becomes enraged by Tallie. And furthermore, when Tallie desires to spend more time with Abigail than him. Abbott is brilliant in this dislikable role.

The World to Come screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: February 2 at 3 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 3 at 10 AM (EST)

We had nothing but raves for Martin Scorcese-produced PIECES OF A WOMAN coming out of TIFF ’20 and we’re so excited to share with you this Trailer! Witness Vanessa Kirby’s Best Actress-winning performance from the Venice Film Festival.

Synopsis:

Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf) are a Boston couple on the verge of parenthood whose lives change irrevocably when a home birth ends in unimaginable tragedy. Thus begins a yearlong odyssey for Martha, who must navigate her grief while working through fractious relationships with Sean and her domineering mother (Ellen Burstyn), along with the publicly vilified midwife (Molly Parker), whom she must face in court. Directed by Kornél Mundruczó (WHITE GOD, winner of the 2014 Prix Un Certain Regard Award), written by Kata Wéber, and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, PIECES OF A WOMAN is a deeply personal, searing, and ultimately transcendent story of a woman learning to live alongside her loss.

Trailer:

PIECES OF A WOMAN arrives in theatres December 30, 2020 and on Netflix January 7, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Pieces of a Woman is an intimate portrait of a couple who experience the greatest loss. Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Shawn (Shia LaBeouf) are passionately in love and eagerly expecting the birth of their daughter. When the night arrives, they learn their Midwife is busy with another client and a different one is sent. Unfortunately, complications arise with their home birth and the couple is sent spiralling into heart-wrenching tragedy.

Director Kornél Mundruczó shoots this outstanding Film with unflinching honesty. He is known for putting his characters under immense pressure. His use of long, continuous takes in pivotal scenes creates a real authenticity, us watching as scenes unfold in real-time and the result is both agonizing and gut-wrenching for the viewer.

The Film’s opening sequence lasts for 30 minutes. It consists of long takes following Martha, Shawn and their Midwife (Molly Parker) around their house — spanning from her first contractions to her delivery. This scene perfectly shows the love which Martha and Shawn share, and their desire to welcome their baby girl. We are immersed into the pressure cooker that becomes their house and in witnessing Martha‘s extreme difficulty, we get the unsettling sense that something isn’t right. Under Mundruczó’s masterful direction, this scene becomes a sweeping emotional journey and the sets the stage for what are some truly powerful performances.

Kirby is magnificent as a woman grappling with grief, while her body and family constantly remind her of what she lost. She commands each scene with powerful actions and controlled expressions. Most impressive, she finds that delicate balance in Martha’s newly hardened heart and her vulnerability. LaBeouf gives one of the greatest performances of his career. He is at his best drowning in Shawn’s grief and is desperate for Martha‘s love and affection again. While often we see this from a woman’s perspective, the Film gives us a genuine snapshot of what it might be like for a man.

Kirby and LaBeouf even though their characters are so different, have a palpable chemistry that makes us fall in love with them. They’re portraying a couple who are facing the biggest challenge in their relationship. Thanks to their strong chemistry we are invested in their love and are devastated when we see it crumbling. They are joined by a talented Supporting Cast. Parker is great portraying the anxiety of a Mmidwife during the home birth and expresses her unspoken guilt so well in the Third Act, within the courtroom. Ellen Burstyn is superb as Martha’s overbearing mother, always making her presence felt but especially in a confrontation between her and Kirby.

Pieces of a Woman is difficult watch, but it’s one that will change you after seeing it. Screenwriter Kata Wéber has written a beautiful, heartbreaking Script that’s about surviving after the most horrifying loss. She does this by allowing us to check-in with her characters once a month, fall to spring. This shows us the changes happening within and outside them as we watch them grow in their own ways. Time heals the pain and the Film captures this process so beautifully. And Wéber reminds us that a woman is comprised of infinite pieces which only she is able to break and rebuild again.

Pieces of a Woman screens at TIFF ’20:

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW!

Screenings take place Wednesday, July 31 @ 7:00PM
TORONTO // Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
MONTREAL // Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
VANCOUVER // Cineplex International Village
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
CALGARY // Cineplex Eau Claire Market Cinemas

Synopsis:
After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the FAST & FURIOUS franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s FURIOUS 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves.

HOBBS & SHAW blasts open a new door in the FAST universe as it hurtles action across the globe, from Los Angeles to London and from the toxic wasteland of Chernobyl to the lush beauty of Samoa.

Directed by David Leitch (DEADPOOL 2) from a story by longtime FAST & FURIOUS narrative architect Chris Morgan and a screenplay by Morgan and Drew Pearce (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE NATION, IRON MAN 3), the film is produced by Johnson, Statham, Morgan and Hiram Garcia. The executive producers are Kelly McCormick, Dany Garcia, Steven Chasman and Ethan Smith.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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Universal Pictures Canada release FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW Friday, August 2, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT! Screenings take place in Toronto and Ottawa as follows:

Toronto Screening is Monday, July 23rd, Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre, Time: 7:00pm
Ottawa Screening is Monday, July 23rd, Cineplex Scotiabank Ottawa, Time: 7:00pm

Synopsis:
The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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Official Channels:
Hashtag: #MissionImpossible
Facebook: /MissionImpossibleMovie
Twitter: @MissionFilm
Instagram: @MissionImpossible

Paramount Pictures Canada release MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT Friday, July 27, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)