By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Yesterday afternoon, Fans around the world were privileged enough to be part of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Global Fan Event at participating cinemas or through Facebook Live and YouTube for those unable to make it out to the sold-out affair. This celebration showed some exclusive new footage as well as questions answered by select cast members of the Film including Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sodul and of course Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne. Director David Yates and Producer David Heyman also joined the fun.

The Event itself offered some interesting insight on what to expect and what we can expect from the newest installment and wizarding world we have all come to fall in love with, but the real excitement came at the very end when David Yates made a very exciting announcement regarding the future of Newt. After Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, we can expect Newt in a new adventure somewhere other than New York.

No Harry Potter universe event would be complete if J.K Rowling did not make an appearance, and the massive bombshell news she dropped made it even more exciting. Rowling announced that there will be FIVE Fantastic Beasts Movies, and no one knew of this news from the Cast. The best reaction to this news came from Newt himself, Eddie Redmayne, who was just over the moon joyous and happy from the news.

Now the real meat of the experience, something that was privileged to the audiences in theatres the new footage from the Film. We saw the first five minutes of the Film then snippets from throughout the Film. Without giving anything away, it looks incredible and possesses the same magic and adventure as the Harry Potter Films have. It is truly going to be an amazing experience. Also after the presentation, audiences for the first time were able to see Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for the first time in IMAX and that was truly something magical. Currently there is a week-long promotion in IMAX showing all eight Harry Potter Films, visit www.cineplex.com for more details on that. As well tickets for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them are currently on-sale!

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM in theatres on Friday November 18, 2016, with special advance previews on Thursday November 17, 2016.

A well-cut new Trailer for ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY surfaced earlier today and it takes us right inside this rebellion based on hope.

Synopsis:
Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) leads a group of unlikely heroes to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction.

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY on Friday, December 16, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/Lucasfilm)

Universal Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see ALMOST CHRISTMAS in Toronto on Monday, November 7, 2016.

Synopsis:
A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series, This Christmas), Almost Christmas tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle. The all-star cast of Almost Christmas is led by Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, JB Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Jessie T. Usher and DC Young Fly.

Artwork:

Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, tell us your Christmas wish!

Universal Pictures Canada release ALMOST CHRISTMAS Friday, November 11, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Unless you really aren’t paying attention, ads for KIM’S CONVENIENCE have taken over the City these past few weeks. Billboards, bus shelters, you name it – CBC wants you to know about this groundbreaking new comedic series led by an Asian-Canadian cast, based on Playwright Ins Choi‘s play of the same name which won rave reviews. The Series, premiering Tuesday, October 11, 2016 9 PM EST hones-in on the inter-generational conflict between a family of Korean immigrants. We had the chance to chat with up-and-coming actor Simu Liu who not only stars in KIM’S CONVENIENCE as Jung, but also appears on upcoming NBC Series, TAKEN – both filmed here in Toronto.

1. Tell us what drew you most to your role on KIM’S CONVENIENCE and tell us about the casting process.

Liu: What drew me to this role is Jung’s troubled relationship with his father. I related a lot to the struggle of growing up with one culture at home and another at school, and I found a lot of catharsis doing scenes between Jung and Appa. My own relationship with my parents is not what’s on the show, but there are some definite similarities. I hope that a lot of children from immigrant families watching this can learn to appreciate their parents’ hard work and sacrifice in coming to Canada.

2. Tell us a bit more about your character Jung.

Liu: Jung is a guy who has a bit of a rebellious past. He ran with the wrong crowd in high school, got kicked out of the house, and ended up getting in a bit of trouble with the law. Jung begins the show doing grunt work at a car rental company. He’s confident, charismatic and a natural leader, and he’s made a commitment to make something better of his life. While he still keeps in contact with his mom and sister, Jung’s relationship to his father is still rocky; in fact, they haven’t spoken in almost ten years.

3. We see your extensive stunt work on your résumé. Tell us about some of the most dangerous work you’ve done thus far.

Liu: Oh jeez – well it would have to be on Heroes Reborn. I was on supposed to do a simple fall in the fight sequence but when we got on set the director wanted something more. So the coordinator asked if I could get clotheslined in the neck, do a backflip and then land on my face. I had practiced the stunt on soft floor before but we were on set already and I hadn’t rehearsed it. I was fairly confident in my abilities and we were able to get the shot!

4. We see you are working on two Toronto productions at once, TAKEN and KIM’S CONVENIENCE. How do you juggle both?

Liu: I gave up sleep for a few weeks! On more than one occasion I would be waking up at 5:30am to do a full 14 hr day on one set, have a car waiting to transport me to the other to work an 8 hr day, go home to shower and then be on set again at 6 the next day. I am eternally grateful to the production managers of both shows as well as my eternally dedicated agent Andrea Britton for making it possible to shoot two shows at once. Looking back it truly was the craziest, most memorable summer I have ever had.

5. Okay, you’re at a convenience store. We give you a $10 budget. What do you buy?

A bag of Jalapeño chips, an ice cream sandwich and a can of Diet Coke!

Follow Liu on Twitter here.

Follow KIM’S CONVENIENCE on Twitter also!

Learn more about KIM’S CONVENIENCE:

(Photo credit: CBC/Caitlin Cronenberg)

Growing up in the ’80s, it was impossible to avoid the massive success story of a young English Popstar with striking good looks and an equally pleasing voice. Rick Astley topped the charts in 25 countries with his smash single Never Gonna Give You Up, followed by a string of successive hits Together Forever, It Would Take a Strong Man and She Wants to Dance With Me.

While musical tastes shifted in North America, Astley still continued to be a huge force in Pop overseas before retiring in the mid-90s to focus on starting a family.  He resurfaced in the early 2000s and now celebrating his milestone 50th birthday earlier this year, he finds himself once again atop the charts once again with his latest disc 50.

While largely Adult Contemporary, the collection released domestically by Warner Music Canada, does not ignore his Dance-Pop roots, remaining soulful and rhythmic. Two singles, Keep Singing and Dance have been met with positive response.

Astley treated Toronto Fans with a rare opportunity to see him at intimate The Phoenix Concert Hall tonight. Other stops include New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville.  The self-admitted fearful flier told the audience that he’ll actually be driving to his next stop in Nashville and just this weekend drove-in directly from New York with a quick stop in Niagara Falls along the way.

Plugging through an almost two-hour set of material combining covers and his extensive catalog of hits, Astley not only looks but sounds just as great as he did when he first emerged.

The enthusiastic crowd was responsive start to finish as he gave us hints of his true musicianship on guitar and drums, while self-deprecating about his own dance ability.

Quite the showman, he entertained the audience with funny, expletive-filled anecdotes and humbly he thanked Fans for showing up in these baseball-obsessed times whilst celebrating Thanksgiving at once.

We met Astley before his Show and he was positively delightful taking a moment to shake hands and take Selfies. He even took off his glasses for the Snap!

See some Snaps:

Total flirt. #RickAstley #RickAstley50

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 9, 2016 at 8:44pm PDT

Still got it. #RickAstley #RickAstley50

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 9, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT

Twinsies. With my idol #RickAstley, here for a show at The Phoenix in support of new album #RickAstley50.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 9, 2016 at 2:04pm PDT

Some Highlights:

It literally was a dream come true seeing #RickAstley live. Something I've been waiting for since 1987! (@officialrickastley)

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

Check out Astley‘s uplifting new Single, DANCE:

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

Happy Thanksgiving!  It’s been a while since we’ve had an installment of Princess Diaries, so we thought we’d check-in on our  sweetheart, A PIC BY MRWILL!

After surprising us with a sharp burst of speed in her last race August 5th, she had us biting our nails in what was her most daring run yet, leading most of the way to tire late at the seven furlong distance.  I guess our biggest dilemma still is figuring just how far Princess wants to go. Her first start showed great late kick and that last race she showed unexpected speed out of the gate. Regardless, she has a lot of learning to do,  but we’ve seen enough potential and brilliance from her to know she’ll get there.

Princess had a couple setbacks this Summer including a virus which had her coughing quite a bit and also a minor injury preventing her from making a scheduled start on Woodbine Mile Day (how cool it would’ve been to run the same card as Tepin!).  While she continues to grow rapidly, Team John Ross is doing the right thing giving her the winter to mature.  We all know she is a special filly and we will give her all our patience as we look forward to her three-year-old season.

For now she continues to gallop on the daily with exercise rider Josh, whom she seems to be gelling quite well with!

Princess + Josh:

 

Good morning from Josh + moi! Thank you to the lovely @kailacola for the snap!

A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on Sep 29, 2016 at 6:20am PDT

Having some Mickey D’s!!!

A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on Sep 30, 2016 at 5:54pm PDT

A lovely portrait by the v. talented Emily Shields:

Thank you so much Ms. Emily for the beautiful portrait! Have fun in Toronto!!

A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on Oct 5, 2016 at 9:38pm PDT

Let’s go #BlueJays!!

A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on Oct 2, 2016 at 3:50pm PDT

Her fave:

Guys! I’m all better and start training again soon!! So proud of Lokinforpursemonee who ran so great today!! Champ!

A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on Sep 25, 2016 at 5:39pm PDT

Decisions still are being made whether she will winter locally or head down to Florida, so we’ll be spending as much time with Princess over the next little while as we’ll miss her!

Along the way we’ve had so much fun cheering on Team John Ross, who have had a phenomenal season so far with triple-winner CLASSYSHADESOFGREY, stakes-placed RAGLAN ROAD and stakes winners R U WATCHINGBUD, ULTRAFLAME and LOKINFORPURSEMONEE, the latter who has stamped himself one of the top two-year-olds in the country.

We thank everyone including jockey Sheena Ryan who has been with Princess  from the start and all of our PICsies/Pritches (however spicy you are!) for all your support.  We are touched by all your encouragement and won’t let you down next year!

 

Julie

 

Sienna

 

Jen, Siobhán, Genevieve and Justin

 

With Great Godpa and Godma:

 
Uncle Joe

 
Princess’ real-life sis Lindsay Ross

#woodbineracetrack kissing the Princess at #jrracing stables

A photo posted by Lindsay Ross (@lindsayross2000) on Sep 25, 2016 at 6:11pm PDT

 

Princess + Vernon:

 

Princess + George:

 

Princess, Chloe + Katya:

 

Princess, Max + Ally:

 

Follow A PIC BY MRWILL on Instagram and Twitter!

 

(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group/Mr. Will Wong)

A PIC BY MRWILL woodbine

Despite mixed reviews, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN is right on-track, taking the top of the Box Office this weekend with $26.7 million across North America. It opens in 3,144 theatres for Universal Pictures garnering 44% on the Tomatometer critically. It gets also a B+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

In second this weekend is MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN with $14.7 million for 20th Century Fox. Over two weeks, it has grossed $50.9 million.

DEEPWATER HORIZON is in third this weekend with $11.6 million, tallying-in at $38.4 million over two weeks for both Elevation Pictures and Lionsgate Films.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is in fourth this weekend with $8.9 million for Sony Pictures, a total $75.7 million.

Debuting in sixth is THE BIRTH OF A NATION for Fox Searchlight with $7.8 million from 3,042 theatres. It gets 79% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS debuts in seventh with $6.6 million from 2,822 theatres for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. It gets a 59% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

QUEEN OF KATWE rounds-out the Top Ten for Disney with $1.6 million in its third week out.

Since surfacing in 2007, Adele‘s rise has been meteoric in every sense becoming of the best selling artists in the world with over 100 million albums sold.

The English Singer/Songwriter played four sold-out shows at Air Canada Centre as part of her Adele Live 2016 Tour. Without the necessity of dancers, an opening act, an elaborate stage setup, costume changes or pyrotechnics, Adele possesses that rare special quality where for almost two hours straight, your eyes are focused strictly on her and the music only.

The personable entertainer at once had the audience mesmerized by her heartbreaking balladry, but also cackling at her personal anecdotes ranging from breastfeeding to the odd irony of singing about her ex-boyfriends on-stage still while at once being in a very happy relationship.

With her final Toronto show being her 91st, Adele explained that due to delays with her pregnancy, heartbreak and vocal cord surgery, the Tour had been five years in the making. It however was well worth it for the self-admitted “homebody”, whom she says would “rather be at home ordering Chinese food with friends, watching Sex and the City“.

Despite not loving touring, Adele admitted to having a wonderful time this time around, balancing her time with son Angelo and her work. The two were spotted Wednesday in Etobicoke at a costume and party supply store getting ready for Halloween.  His birthday also is coming up on the 21st, so perhaps a little planning for that too?

Running through a catalog of hits from three albums 19, 21 and 25, Adele had the audience hanging to her every note and word, effortlessly churning-out classics like Hello, Rumour Has It, Rolling in the Deep, Hometown Glory, Skyfall, Chasing Pavements, Fire to the Rain, When We Were Young and Someone Like You.

At one point she invited an entire family onstage for a Family Selfie (or an “Adelfie” she calls it) as it was one teen fan’s birthday.  Not to be outdone by a man who after flashing a sign, was brought onstage to propose to his girlfriend!

See some Snaps:

Adele. #Adele25 #AdeleLive2016

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT

Adele brings a young fan celebrating her birthday, on stage for a family photo! #Adele25 #AdeleLive2016

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:04pm PDT

Adele grants wish for man proposing to girlfriend on-stage. #Adele25 #AdeleLive2016

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:05pm PDT

Adele rushes into crowd, thrilling fans. #Adele25 #AdeleLive2016

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:06pm PDT

The stunning Adele. #AdeleLive2016 #Adele25

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:07pm PDT

Adele takes a final bow. #Adele25 #AdeleLive2016

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

See some Highlights:

(Photo/video/audio credit: Mr. Will Wong/XL Recordings)

Bruno‘s back. The good thing is if you love UPTOWN FUNK, new single 24K MAGIC is right up your alley. The 80s Funk-Pop jam is dancefloor-ready indeed. Fans of “romantic/sensitive Bruno”  may have a thing or two to say about this flaunty throwback Track and Video though….

Watch below:

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

It’s back to basics for Lady Gaga and that’s a good thing. She currently together with Bud Light is partnering together on her Dive Bar Tour in support of new Disc JOANNE, which contains three stops at undisclosed locations for contest winners. The first stop already took place in Nashville and she also just premiered her new single MILLION REASONS last night. “But if you could do me this favour”, she tells the audience, “Tonight if you could just call me Joanne.”.

Million Reasons:

The Dive Bar Tour:

Universal Music Canada release JOANNE on Friday, October 21, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)