Bell Media rolled out the Red Carpet and took over Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in a big way, welcoming seventy eight Stars to preview their forthcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup.

Balancing Canadian content with some major renewals – like a third season of Saving Hope and second seasons of Bitten and Spun Out – a focus also is placed on several of its new and proven American titles, CTV (and CTV 2!) – Canada’s number one Network for 13 consecutive years – looks to take a chance on some high-profile new releases.

New major Titles seeing a release in the forthcoming Fall and Mid-Season include:

GOTHAM

THE MILLERS

THE MCCARTHYS

SECRETS AND LIES

THE ODD COUPLE

MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER

AMERICAN CRIME

CSI: CYBER

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

RESURRECTION

SUNDAY NFL 

THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA

FOREVER

BUZZYS

THE FLASH

Among the several Stars walking the Red Carpet today were Beau Bridges (The Millers), Judd Hirsch (Forever), Alana De La Garza (Forever), Ben McKenzie (Gotham), Donal Logue (Gotham), Robin Taylor (Gotham), Anthony Lemke (19-2), Tyler Ritter (The McCarthys), Kelen Coleman (The McCarthys), Jimmy Dunn (The McCarthys), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Alfie Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder), Matt McGorry (How to Get Away with Murder),  Caitlin Gerard (American Crime), Elvis Nolasco (American Crime), Jack Falahee (How to Get Away with Murder), Aja Naomi King (How to Get Away with Murder),  Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds), William Moseley (The Royals – he came with Actress Girlfriend Kelsey Chow!), Alexandra Park (The Royals), Chloe Bennet (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), George Wendt (Buzzys), Elizabeth Henstridge (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Stephen Amell (Arrow), David Ramsey (Arrow), Candice Patton (The Flash), Danielle Panabaker (The Flash), Jared Keeso (19-2), Laura Vandervoort (Bitten), Steven Lund (Bitten), Michael Xavier (Bitten), Greg Bryk (Bitten), Greyston Holt (Bitten), Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs), Kristin Lehman (Motive), Brendan Penney (Motive), Louis Ferreira (Motive), Erica Durance (Saving Hope), Daniel Gillies (Saving Hope) and several more. Newcomer Grant Gustin, formerly of Glee, drew the most anticipation on the Fan-filled Red Carpet, many predicting that new CW Series The Flash will propel his Career to the stratosphere.

For more on CTV‘s upcoming Lineup, click here.

And now for the fun stuff!  We snagged a few Autographs from some of today’s CTV Upfront Stars including Laura Vandervoort, Ben McKenzie, Matt McGorry, Elizabeth Henstridge and Chloe Bennet!  To enter to win, specify at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook under this Post whose Autograph you’d like to win and click “like” also.  You may enter for multiple Autographs!

Good luck, Wongsters!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 2014 Canadian Upfronts are in full swing and Shaw Media truly upped their game this year unveiling their upcoming Fall and 2015 Mid-Season Lineups.  Heavy on its focus on new American programming for its Global Television, over 50 new Programs also were picked-up on their Specialty Networks (i.e. Showcase, History, HGTV, Food, Slice, DTour and Lifetime).

A litany of Talent representing a wide array of Shaw Media programming, appeared at Elgin Theatre today to celebrate the occasion.

Among the new Series being acquired were:

Partners

Mulaney

Madam Secretary

Border Security

Constantine

Stalker

A to Z

Bad Judge

Gracepoint

State of Affairs

Outlander

Dominion

Satisfaction

The Red Tent

The Hunt

Down East Dickering

Pawnography

Biker Battleground Phoenix

Houdini

UFO X-Files

Mummies Alive

Dino Hunt

Texas Rising

Reno Rookies

Mike’s Ultimate Garage

House Hunters International Renovation

Sold on the Spot

The Jennie Garth Project

My Big Family Renovation

Lakefront Bargain Hunt

Vacation House for Free

Ellen’s Design Challenge

Custom Built

The Expendables

Carnival Eats

Food Truck Face Off

Farmhouse Rules

Chopped: Ultimate Chopped Champions Tournament

Chopped Teens

Great Canadian Cookbook

The Singles Project

Extreme Guide to Parenting

Handsome Devils

Ladies of London

Million Dollar Listing Miami

Online Dating Rituals of the American Male

See No Evil

Southern Charm

Ghost Adventures: Aftershock

Border Security Australia

Hotel Secrets & Legends

Resort Rescue

Little Women: LA

Deliverance Creek

Un-Real

In attendance today were: Kevin Zegers, Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Megan Boone (The Blacklist), Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Charles Barnett (Chicago Fire), Jesse Lee Soffer (Chicago P.D.), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Sara Canning (Remedy), Enrico Colantoni (Remedy), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue), Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Susur Lee (Chopped Canada), Leslie Odom Jr. (State of Affairs), in addition Shaw‘s fine roster of Talent including personalities like Cheryl Hickey, John Catucci, Leslie Roberts, Antony Robart, Roz Weston and several more.

For more information on Shaw‘s upcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Based on the TONY Award-winning Musical, Clint Eastwood‘s JERSEY BOYS is primed and ready for release. The Musical about four boys from New Jersey who would go on to be known as wildly popular Group The Four Seasons, continues to win hearts around the Globe. The Story is narrated from each of their perspectives and includes their eventual breakup.

Three of the Film’s Stars John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda, are in Toronto promoting the Film and have been doing it in style, dapper in suits and riding around in a luxury Mercedes Coach!

In addition to visits to CITY‘s Breakfast Television earlier today, the Actors head over to The Morning Show (National Edition) to promote the Movie. Also slated on their schedule are an appearance on The Marilyn Denis Show. They will be at TIFF Bell Lightbox also for a special Screening of the Film tonight!

The Boys were awesome to greet Fans on one of their morning stops and may have had a chance to enjoy some cool selections from Starbucks at the Hudson’s Bay Centre!

Watch the Trailer below:

See our Snaps:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release JERSEY BOYS on Friday, June 20, 2014.

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

We’ve had our eye on this one for a while.  After getting lots of love at TIFF ’13 and a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Picture to boot, Director Michael Dowse (Goon) returns with the charming Romantic Comedy, THE F WORD.   The Title decidedly will be known as What If in other territories.

The Film, made in Toronto, centers around Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), who becomes infatuated with a Girl named Chantry (Zoe Kazan), only to discover that she’s already dating another Man, causing their relationship to be put in the doomed “friend zone”. We’ve all been there, right?

Rafe Spall, Megan Park, Mackenzie Davis and Adam Driver also star.

Watch the official Trailer, which just surfaced this past weekend:

Mr. Will and The Cast of The F Word:

eOne Films release The F Word on Friday, August 1, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)

Singer/Songwriter Sean Lennon made a rare appearance in Toronto today in support of his and Partner, former-Model Charlotte Muhl Kemp‘s latest Album, Midnight Sun. The Disc released under the Duo, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, is their third Album together since 2010’s Acoustic Sessions. Critics are calling the acclaimed release, “trippy”. Lennon jokes, “It’s Wizard and Witch Music – Harry Potter Music.”.

After flying in last night, the Duo were round-up early for press at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) making it just in time for their interview.

Lennon despite garnering acclaim in his own right as a Musician most widely is recognized as the only Son of The Beatles Legend John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Lennon and Kemp despite a rushed arrival, were more than kind to take a few minutes out to stop for Photos and Autographs before heading to their Cadillac and  continue a day’s worth of interviews!

See our Snaps:

Midnight Sun is available now on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Chimera Music)

If there was any doubt that the second season of Netflix‘s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK lives-up to the promise, then let those fears be alleviated.  Black certainly is back and with days left till the release of its new Season, here’s a friendly reminder that you can cancel your weekend plans right now because you will be hooked right from the get-go.

Attending a Screening of the first two episodes of Season Two tonight atop TIFF Bell Lightbox, my jaw dropped to learn that Academy Award-winning Actress Jodie Foster helmed the first episode.  Without giving anything away, you will be floored by the performances which many would agree were stepped-up a notch.  Taylor Schilling continues to wow and those of us who fell in love with breakout actress Danielle Brooks will find plenty to love about Taystee‘s new character developments.

Some Snaps from the night, including some Series-inspired Cocktails, which were phenomenal:

We all grew-up in the ’80s adoring ANNIE, so I must admit I had my doubts hearing of an upcoming Remake. I’m sorry, but Cameron Diaz just makes this entire Trailer. I’d never imagine her as Miss Hannigan, but it would appear to work!  And although Willow Smith originally was cast in the iconic titular role, adorable Quvenzhané Wallis does just fine here.  We’re actually excited to see this!

Official Synopsis:
Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

Watch the Trailer:

Mr. Will Wong and Paramount Pictures want you to enter for a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see one of this Summer’s most awaited Blockbusters, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION!   Screenings take place Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Toronto and Montreal.

Official Synopsis:

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved.  As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs.

With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet.  In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

Watch the mindblowing Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter for a chance to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Also state your City and tell me who is your favourite Transformer under the comments of this Facebook Post.  You can increase your shot at winning by Re-Tweeting the below or sharing this Post with your Friends on Facebook!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/transformers4 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Passes in Toronto + Montreal to see #TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION!  Out 6/27!

Contest deadline is Friday, June 20, 2014.

Good luck, Wongsters!

Mark Wahlberg & I in Toronto:

Paramount Pictures release TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION on Friday, June 27, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Not that there was ever any doubt, but Maleficent has a magnificent bow at the Box Office, pulling-in $70 million for Disney from 3,948 theatres.  The spin on the tale of Sleeping Beauty has Angelina Jolie front and centre proving v. well that she still undeniably is a massively bankable Star after some time away from the Big Screen.   Made for $180 million, it looks well on its way to earning back its bill,  thanks to an A CinemaScore from Audiences. Critics however gave it a less than stellar 47% on the Tomatometer but nonetheless, Fans are flocking to the theatres.

X-Men: Days of Future Past after a phenomenal opening last weekend for 20th Century Fox, continues to go strong in its second week with $32.6 million from 4,001 theatre.  It has already exceeded the $160 million-mark.

A Million Ways to Die in the West debuts in third this weekend for Universal Pictures with $17.1 million from 3,158 theatres.  Starring, produced and directed by Seth MacFarlane, the star-studded (Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried star also) Western-Comedy opens below expectations, made for $40 million. Critics gave it 33% on the Tomatometer and Audiences responded with a B CinemaScore.

Godzilla in its third week out brings-in $12.2 million for Warner Bros., good enough for fourth spot.  The Blockbuster thus far has made $173 million across North America.

The Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore re-teaming Blended, lands in fifth spot with $8.3 million for Warner Bros. in its second week out.

Chef continues to do well in limited release with $1.8 million from only 624 theatres for Open Road Films.  It opens next weekend in Canada.

The Other Woman surpasses the $80-million mark for 20th Century Fox in its sixth week out, rounding-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million.

The third edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival takes place across Toronto (TIFF Bell Lightbox, Isabel Bader Theatre), Vaughan and Hamilton between Thursday, June 12 through Friday, June 20, 2014! Taking place during Italian Heritage Month, the Festival celebrates Contemporary Italian Cinema from around the World!

Mr. Will wants to take a Reader and their Guest to experience the prestigious Opening Night Party and Film THE BEST OFFER ($85 value) on Thursday, June 12, 2014! The Party includes a sumptuous Buffet at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel!

Several Italian Stars like Carlo Verdone, Enrico Brignano, Vittoria Puccini and several more are expected to attend the Festival this year!

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You’re encouraged to share with your Friends on Facebook too!

Good luck.

Click here for the latest updates about the ICFF!

(Photo credit: ICFF)