By Mr. Will Wong

Toronto’s Will Arnett got a big welcome home last night – Sankofa Square billboard and all – as he premiered his latest, IS THIS THING ON? at a special TIFF Lightbox screening, attended by media, friends and family.

Arnett, known best for voicing his unforgettable work as Gob Bluth on Arrested Development, Batman in the LEGO franchise, and the titular role in Bojack Horseman, makes a slight pivot in this upcoming Dramedy from longtime friend Bradley Cooper, exercising his dramatic muscles and also trying Standup Comedy as well for the first time. The Film centers on Alex (Arnett), who is grappling with divorce form his wife of twenty years, Tess (Laura Dern). He stumbles into the world of Standup Comedy and quickly finds himself consumed in the world, forming friendships and finding confidence again.

Despite dividing his time between New York and Los Angeles, Toronto will always be home for Arnett after leaving here about 30 years ago to pursue his acting dreams and this latest effort actually is the type of complex role he always wanted to perform, even with life handing him several comedic gigs.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Arnett about what inspired him and Cooper to team-up to adapt what actually is a true story based on English Funnyman John Bishop‘s life. We ask him about what informs his memorable character, Alex Novak, and also the burning question, whether The SmartLess Podcast (which he co-hosts with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes) at long last will be making a Toronto tour stop.

Some highlights from our Chat with Arnett:

The Film really features some fantastic career-best work by Arnett and Laura Dern, as a couple finding themselves later in life and revisiting their relationship through a current lens. With a smart Script (co-written by Arnett, Cooper and Mark Chappell), Bradley Cooper once again delivers some fantastic, thoughtful storytelling, bringing the best out of his talent time and again. Cooper also reunites with Cinematographer Matthew Libatique to craft a unique, up-close and intimate watch.

Searchlight Pictures release IS THIS THING ON? December 19, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Searchlight Pictures)

IS THIS THING ON? A new film from Bradley Cooper, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. The #NYFF63 closing night selection, only in theaters this December. In select theatres arri

As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family—forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

Directed by: Bradley Cooper
Screenplay by: Bradley Cooper, Will Arnett, Mark Chappell
Produced by: Bradley Cooper, Weston Middleton, Will Arnett, Kris Thykier
Cast: Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Bradley Cooper, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Scott Icenogle

Will Arnett is Toronto’s FIFA Ambassador and Destination Toronto have shared a video making the announcement!

The FIFA World Cup 26 site is now live —as is an ambassador video featuring Will Arnett, hyping the city with a sense of humour that can only be Toronto-born. The video will be played alongside Toronto b-roll footage and a city sizzle reel through rights-holding broadcasters to the billions of fans who tune in to catch the games.

See the hilarious and heartfelt video here, with Arnett reflecting on growing-up in Toronto and all its charms and nuances, plus all the anticipating to come with the World Cup taking place right here next year!

The FIFA WORLD CUP 26 takes place Thu, Jun 11, 2026 – Sun, Jul 19, 2026.

Toronto’s beloved Will Arnett is back in new Netflix series MURDERVILLE! The Series will feature appearances by Annie Murphy, Ken Jeong, Conan O’Brien, Kumail Nanjiani and more!

Synopsis:

Meet Senior Detective Terry Seattle (Will Arnett), Homicide Division. For Terry, every day means a new murder case and a new celebrity guest star as his partner. But here’s the catch: each episode’s guest star isn’t being given the script. They have no idea what’s about to happen to them. Together, the guest star and Terry Seattle will have to improvise their way through the case… but it will be up to each celebrity guest alone to name the killer. Join them as they punch a one-way ticket to Murderville. The six-episode procedural crime comedy premieres globally on Netflix on February 3. Based off the BAFTA award winning BBC3 series Murder in Successville by Tiger Aspect Productions and Shiny Button Productions.

MURDERVILLE arrives February 3, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Check-out this first look at RUMBLE featuring an amazing Voice Cast!

SYNOPSIS:
In a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes, teenage Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps by coaching a loveable underdog monster into a champion.

Cast: Will Arnett, Terry Crews, Geraldine Viswanathan, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, Tony Danza, Becky Lynch, Susan Kelechi Watson, Stephen A. Smith, Jimmy Tatro, Ben Schwartz and Michael Buffer

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release RUMBLE Friday, January 21, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

This is all sorts of yasss! The new Trailer for SHOW DOGS which before today we didn’t realize we needed! 🐶🐕🐩

Synopsis:
Starring Will Arnett, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Natasha Lyonne, Jordin Sparks, Gabriel Iglesias, Shaquille O’Neal, Alan Cumming, and Stanley Tucci, SHOW DOGS is a family comedy about the unlikely pairing of a human detective (Arnett) and his canine partner (voice of Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), who has to go undercover at the world’s most exclusive dog show to solve his biggest case yet.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release SHOW DOGS Friday, May 18, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

The third Laughter is the Best Medicine Gala, presented by BMO, was held last night at the Canadian National Exhibition‘s Automotive Building, the previous bash held September 2014.  Sure to be a star-studded affair with blockbuster names like Jerry Seinfeld (2012) and Chris Rock (2014) having graced the stage in previous years, comedic icons Jim Gaffigan and Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live) headlined this edition of the black-tie affair.

Over 1,200 guests, who dined on culinary delights by restaurant mogul Susur Lee, filled the venue with proceeds of the Gala supporting the Michael Garron Hospital, known formerly as the Toronto East General Hospital. The Hospital received an historic gift of $50 million by Berna and Myron Garron in honour of their late son Michael.

In addition to the headliners in attendance, the likes of Ben & Jessica Mulroney, Sylvia & Robert Mantella, Connie & Bill Stavro, Gala Co-Chair and Invictus Games CEO Michael Burns, plus Mayor John Tory graced the red carpet.

Will Arnett hails from Toronto and still is at the top of his game with a leading role in this year’s Box Office smash The Lego Batman Movie and was named the Hospital’s first ever Honourary Doctor. Once again he filled hosting duties as Master of Ceremonies at the Gala. His father Jim, who also attended on a timely note with his mother Alix this Mother’s Day weekend, served on the Board for the Toronto East General Hospital between 2002 to 2009, serving as Chairman between 2006 to 2008.

Our Justin Waldman had the pleasure of chatting with Arnett on the Carpet and tells us about how he came to be involved with the affair. “Five years ago, they asked me to be a part of it. My dad worked with them so I was familiar with the hospital and they do such great things.”.  “It started kinda small and has managed to expand over the years into the Michael Garron Hospital.”. “I’m really excited to be a part of this.”.

Among the super-rare items and experiences up for auction were a chance to have an intimate dinner with Arnett himself, the lucky bidders topping all with a $25k winning bid. Trips to anywhere on the Air Canada network with luxurious accommodations in the south of France also were up for grabs, a top bid rising eventually to $30k.

See some Snaps from the evening below. Hover cursor over left and right of album to navigate slideshow:

Our Justin Waldman and Siobhán Rich at the star-studded Laughter is the Best Medicine III Gala last night with #WillArnett, #JimGaffigan + #KevinNealon. #MGHLaughter

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 14, 2017 at 9:14am PDT

Check out highlights from previous editions of the Gala:

Laughter is the Best Medicine I

Laughter is the Best Medicine II

More on the #MGHLaughter Gala here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Siobhán Rich/Justin Waldman)

Toronto’s own Michael Cera is back in town. While on a break filming Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin‘s directorial debut Molly’s Game, alongside the likes of Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner, he made time today to promote his work in upcoming Animated Feature THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. The Blockbuster has him voicing the titular character’s sidekick Robin.

The 28-year-old known best for his acclaimed work on Series Arrested Development and Films like Superbad, Juno, This is the End, Sausage Party and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, did the rounds in the City pretaping several interviews in advance of the Film’s release next week.

See a Trailer below:

While we’ve met Cera a few times before, we never got the Selfie until today. He was more than nice to stop in the cold and check-in to see how I was doing.

See our Snap:

I 😍 #MichaelCera. The Toronto actor is currently promoting #LegoBatmanMovie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 30, 2017 at 9:23am PST

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Friday, February 10, 2017.

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

The turtles return for a crazy adventure, this time out of the shadows. Did you catch the Super Bowl TV Spot for TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS?

Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Laura Linney, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Stephen Farrelly, Johnny Knoxville and more star.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS on Friday, June 3, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Celebrating the completion of an ambitious $60 million capital campaign towards the $360 million redevelopment of Toronto East General Hospital, the Laughter is the Best Medicine II Gala took place this evening at Allstream Centre. With soon-to-be-completed Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre being a primary point of focus, Stars came out to show their support for the fantastic Cause. Spotted were the likes of Comedian Gerry Dee and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jonas Siegel, Joffrey Lupul and more.

Emceeing the Black Tie Affair a second year, Toronto Funnyman Will Arnett continues to show his commitment to the Cause, while the likes of Comedian Mario Joyner, Cancer-surviving Singer Joseph Neale and Headliner Chris Rock took to the stage.  The Party moved over to Muzik Nightclub after midnight.

Arriving shortly after 9:00 PM, Rock graced an intimate Red Carpet before entertaining the Crowd, certainly not holding back with several of his bold yet daringly-funny political observations.  Any Fan of Chris Rock would certainly have known exactly what to expect and he delivered the laughs.

Tonight’s visit actually was the Emmy and Grammy Award Winner’s second visit to the City this month.  He received tons of acclaim for his latest Film Top Five at TIFF ’14 a couple weeks back, the Comedy sparking a bidding war before ultimately Paramount Pictures secured distribution rights in North America.

Guests tonight  had the opportunity to bid on a multitude of elaborate auction items, one including a Will Arnett-signed Rob Ford Bobblehead fetching $9k. Other auctions included a trip for two to Paris with a cooking course at prestigious Le Cordon Bleu.

To learn more about the Laughter is the Best Medicine II Gala, visit here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)