#TORONTOBOUND: GUILLERMO dEL TORO TO FILM “THE STRAIN” AND “CRIMSON PEAK” IN TORONTO

We all know Guillermo del Toro loves Toronto, but he really walks the walk in a recent Chat with Collider where he confirms that his next couple Projects are slated to Film in Toronto. Call this City del Toronto if you will. With his epic Pacific Rim, filmed here last Winter, recently greenlit for a Sequel we learned that both his upcoming FX TV Series, based upon his and Chuck Hogan‘s Trilogy of the same name The Strain, begins filming later this year throughout early next year. It is set in a World where Vampires rule and Humans are enslaved. Following that, the likes of Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone Mia Wasikowska, Benedict Cumberbatch Tom Hiddleston and again Charlie Hunnam (who stars in Pacific Rim also) may be here as early as next Spring to begin Production on Crimson Peak.

del Toro tells Collider:

“We’re shooting The Strain in Toronto, Crimson Peak in Toronto, and I love Toronto so much. We’re basically moving there for a couple of years at least. It also has the best cinematheque in the world, the Lightbox. TIFF is amazing, and I’m doing a Hitchcock series every December there. We’re going to do it every December for films by Hitchcock, talking to the audience about them, and doing a little class if you would. It’s a great community.”.

About Crimson Peak, del Toro is v. vague, but does reveal to Total Film:

“It’s the turn of the century. So it’s at the turn of the century and half of the movie takes place in America, and the other half takes place in a crumbling mansion in Cumbria (Northwest England). And basically it’s a ghost story and gothic romance, trying to subvert the rules of the usual gothic romance.”.

Not only did I get to work on Pacific Rim for a week last year doing Background Work, I caught-up with del Toro last Winter as he hosted one of those mentioned Alfred Hitchock Master Classes at TIFF Bell Lightbox.  Here’s a  hint, he quite literally loves that Building and adores Luma, dining there frequently.

Although some finishing touches were applied early March in Toronto with Re-shoots, Warner Bros. at long last releases Pacific Rim on July 12, 2013. I’ll be posting a Post about my week on-set following the release – stay tuned!

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)