Toronto Comicon, presented by FAN EXPO Canada returns on March 15-17, 2024 with a stellar line-up of celebrity guests that are out of this world!

Superheroes, cosmic explorers, and supernatural beings will assemble for three days of unparalleled entertainment from the frontiers of sci-fi, fantasy, comic, anime, gaming and horror. Fans of all ages can enjoy a variety of attractions with over 400 exhibitors, celebrity Q & A’s, autograph and photo opportunities, Community Zone fan meet-ups, cosplay competitions and special family programming to keep those little Grogus busy.

“From beloved icons to spine-tingling villains, and heroes even the tiniest fans adore, this year’s Toronto Comicon line-up is truly exceptional,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ. “We’re proud to spotlight our local industry, showcasing the incredible creative talent right here in our city and those currently filming locally. This year’s Toronto Comicon promises an unforgettable experience for everyone this March break.”

Special guests appearing at Toronto Comicon 2024 include, Canadian Golden Globe nominee and speed force enthusiast Tom Cavanagh (The Flash, Ed), two-time Oscar® nominated actor Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica), the ultimate wingman, ‘Rogue Leader’ Denis Lawson (Star Wars Trilogy), stunt woman and martial arts legend Diana Lee Inosanto (Ahsoka), actor and Jedi rebel Eman Esfandi (Ahsoka), 2024 Critic Choice Awards nominee Harvey Guilen (What We Do in the Shadows), comedian Natasia Demetriou (What We Do in the Shadows), actor/pirate captain Jeff Ward (One Piece, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) and Wolverine himself, Canadian Cal Dodd along with several members of the original cast of the X-Men animated series.

Toronto Comicon will converge again this year in the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street during March 15-17, 2024.

Information and pricing for the Toronto Comicon are available at fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto.

TORONTO COMICON 2022 HIGHLIGHTED GUESTS INCLUDE:

TOM CAVANAGH (The Flash, Ed)

DENIS LAWSON (Star Wars Trilogy)

MARY MCDONNELL (Battlestar Galactica, The Fall of the House of Usher)

EMAN ESFANDI (Ahsoka)

DIANA LEE INOSANTO (Ahsoka)

JEFF WARD (One Piece, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D)

HARVEY GUILLEN (What We Do in the Shadows)

NATASIA DEMETRIOU (What We Do in the Shadows)

ANSON MOUNT (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)

CHRISTINA CHONG (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)

ETHAN PECK (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Discovery)

CAST FROM THE X-MEN ORIGINAL ANIMATED SERIES

For a complete list of guests, info and tickets, visit: fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMMING INCLUDE:

CELEBRITY PRESENTATIONS

AUTOGRAPHS & PHOTO OPS

SKETCH DUELS

COMIC CREATOR PANELS

ARTIST ALLEY

COSPLAY

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING

Follow @FANEXPOCanada for more guest and programming updates over the coming weeks.

Charli XCX today releases ‘Von dutch’ – the first single taken from her highly anticipated forthcoming new album ‘BRAT’. You can watch the video HERE.

Produced by EASYFUN, ‘Von dutch’ is a brash and synth heavy return from the avant-pop superstar and an exciting indication of her new era. The accompanying video, directed by Torso, was shot at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport and features Schwarzkopf as the official hair partner.

Charli’s impending sixth studio album ‘BRAT’ is the eagerly awaited follow up to 2022’s ‘CRASH’, which reached number 1 on the UK’s official album chart, and promises to be an exhilarating club record built around high art references and social commentary: a new era both musically and visually.

You can pre-save ‘BRAT’ HERE.

Last week saw Charli throw a momentous Boiler Room in New York’s Brooklyn to launch her new campaign with A. G. Cook, George Daniel, EASYFUN and Doss. The show broke the record for the most ever RSVPs to a Boiler Room event, with over 40k people registering to attend. Featuring special guest appearances from the likes of Addison Rae and Julia Fox, the show has easily become one of the viral moments of the year and found the likes of PAPER Magazine lavishing praise on the “sweaty, floor-rattling rave we’ll be referencing for years to come”.

Alongside her new album, Charli has been working on multiple film & TV projects following the breakout success of her Barbie soundtrack contribution ‘Speed Drive’ last year. She is co-executive producing the score for the A24 film ‘Mother Mary’ with Jack Antonoff and also producing original music for Benito Skinner’s series ‘Overcompensating’ on Prime Video. In addition, Charli will star in the Daniel Goldhaber remake of 1978 cult horror film ‘Faces of Death’.

Avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli XCX has become an iconic figure in the arts, having helped expand the landscape of popular music over the last decade by seamlessly traversing the underground and mainstream with her artistic output. Over the course of a trailblazing career, the multi-hyphenate creative has earned critical acclaim for her innovative style and entrepreneurial spirit and seen her forward-thinking approach reshape pop culture in the process.

Her lasting impact was cemented last year when Charli was honoured with the Visionary Award at the annual Ivor Novellos in London, while she will also receive the Powerhouse Award at Billboard’s Women In Music ceremony next week in Los Angeles.

Paramount+ today announced a new series order for the next chapter in the NCIS franchise, starring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, who will reprise their roles as fan-favorite characters Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo. Slated to start production later this year, the 10-episode order of the all-new NCIS spinoff – the title of which will be announced at a later date – reunites de Pablo and Weatherly on screen for the first time in 10 years. The two also will serve as executive producers alongside John McNamara (Trumbo, The Magicians), who wrote the premiere episode and will serve as showrunner. Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain and Shelley Meals also will executive produce and the series will be distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

After Ziva’s supposed death, Tony left the NCIS team to go raise their daughter. Years later, Ziva was discovered alive, leading her to complete one final mission with NCIS before she was reunited with Tony and their daughter in Paris. Since then – and where we find them in the new Paramount+ original series – Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter, Tali, together. When Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, try to figure out who is after them and maybe even learn to trust each other again so that they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after.

“We’ve been talking about this story for many years, and now with John McNamara at the helm, we are ready,” said Weatherly and de Pablo. “The world of Tony and Ziva (and daughter Tali) promises to be an action-packed roller coaster fueled by love, danger, tears and laughter. We also want to acknowledge and thank the fans from around the world who supported the ‘TIVA’ movement for years. To this day, they say hello in grocery stores and on the street to tell us how much these characters mean to them and ask what Tony and Ziva are up to now. This is for you!”

“I’m incredibly excited to step into the NCIS universe with Cote and Michael and thrilled to explore it from a few new angles,” said showrunner and executive producer John McNamara. “Given that the franchise is such a global sensation, I think it’s phenomenal that CBS Studios and Paramount+ have given us the greenlight to shoot in Europe. As to the title of this series, if I told you what it is, I’d be violating the Espionage Act.”

NCIS is the world’s most successful television franchise; in the 2022-2023 TV season, it’s estimated that the franchise had more than 300 million viewers around the world across all platforms, including broadcast, cable, streaming and syndication (according to Nielsen and internal data). Since the launch of Paramount+, the NCIS Franchise consistently has ranked among the top-five franchises on the service, in terms of hours consumed. In spring 2024, NCIS will celebrate its 1,000th episode across the franchise.

Quebec native and award-winning visionary director Denis Villeneuve brought the highly anticipated Dune: Part Two celebrations home to Montreal on February 28, 2024, delighting fans with an exclusive red-carpet screening event of the epic sci-fi adventure!

Hundreds of fans gathered in anticipation at the downtown Cineplex Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal for the Canadian stop of the global publicity tour for Dune: Part Two. Presented by Audi Canada and The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, the evening was a grandiose heartwarming homecoming for Denis as well as fellow filmmakers Producer Tanya Lapointe and Academy Award® Winning Production Designer Patrice Vermette.

The screening was introduced by one of Quebec’s top comedians and television personalities, Jay Du Temple. Jay and Denis thrilled audiences by awarding multiple trips to Hollywood as exclusive prizing to celebrate the night.

Beyond early access to watch the film in IMAX®, fans were treated to immersive photo moments, gift bags, and spice-infused takeaways courtesy of David’s Tea and Kanel.

Dune: Part Two hits theatres across Canada on March 1. Tickets are on sale now!

Celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is permanently moving its fall festival to June just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Month. Postponing the 2024 event, the new dates run from June 3-8, 2025 in Toronto and June 9-15, 2025 for the online festival.

“Our goal at imagineNATIVE is to better serve our community and deliver a better festival every year,” said Naomi Johnson, Executive Director of imagineNATIVE. “From fresh programming ideas and themes to expanding our programming to outdoor events, the June 2025 date gives us more time to support our festival’s growth.”

Leading up to the festival, imagineNATIVE will host events including extending the imagineNATIVE Tour to the end of November 2024 to help strengthen the organization and enhance the festival experience for creators and guests next year. Further programming will be announced later in the year.

This new date will also allow film submissions from 2023-2025 productions that are looking to be included in the largest Indigenous film festival in North America.

“A festival in June means we’re in a month of increased awareness about Indigenous stories, allowing us to put our filmmakers front and centre,” said Lindsay Monture, Festival Director at imagineNATIVE. “We couldn’t be more excited to see what organizations and talent imagineNATIVE gets the chance to elevate to a bigger audience in our 25th year.”

imagineNATIVE looks forward to hosting festival-goers in Toronto June 3-8, 2025, for the milestone 25th anniversary of the Film + Media Arts Festival. For additional information, please visit: imagineNATIVE.org/faq

Netflix has just released a new Trailer for ULTRAMAN: RISING! Premieres globally on Netflix June 14, 2024.

Director: Shannon Tindle
Co-director: John Aoshima
Written by: Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes
Produced by: Tom Knott, Lisa M. Poole
Cast: Christopher Sean (You, Hawaii Five-O), Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles), Tamlyn Tomita (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Keone Young (Men in Black 3, Star Wars Rebels), Julia Harriman (Camp Rock)

Director Shannon Tindle and Co-Director John Aoshima state:”Our team has worked hard to craft a story that fans and non-fans of this iconic character can enjoy. ULTRAMAN: RISING is a film for everyone. It’s a funny, action-packed, popcorn movie that tackles family, identity, and the struggle to maintain balance in an insane world. This June, we hope you’ll gather ‘round with the folks you love to see what happens when a titanic superhero rediscovers the power of family thanks to an unlikely ally- a sweet, 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju.”

Synopsis:
With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he is forced to adopt a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju. Sato must rise above his ego to balance work and parenthood while protecting the baby from forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans. In partnership with Netflix, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is written by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes, directed by Shannon Tindle, and co-directed by John Aoshima.

Epic movies. Epic series. Epic offer. Disney+ is offering the chance to stream some of the biggest blockbusters and most critically acclaimed movies and series from this year’s awards season with a special, limited-time offer.

From today, February 29, and running through March 14, 2024 new and returning customers can subscribe to Disney+ Standard With Ads for $1.99/month for three months – an $18 saving compared to the regular monthly price for three months. After three months, Disney+ Standard With Ads auto-renews at the then-current monthly retail price (currently $7.99/month) until cancelled.

There’s something for everyone on Disney+, including Searchlight Pictures’ award-winning “Poor Things” streaming March 7, gripping sci-fi action thriller “The Creator” from 20th Century Studios, and Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster “The Marvels”. “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” streams on Disney+ March 15, plus Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” coming soon.

Subscribers can also enjoy the latest epic drama, FX’s “Shōgun”, set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Critically acclaimed, award-winning series FX’s “The Bear”, which was renewed for a third season, and Season 4 of the hit Emmy®-nominated series “Only Murders in the Building”, are scheduled to make their return to Disney+ later this year.

Other titles also coming soon to Disney+ include Season 2 of the award-winning comedy series “Extraordinary” on March 6, Marvel Animation’s “X-Men ‘97” on March 20, the action-adventure fantasy series “Renegade Nell” premiering on March 29, and the upcoming limited series “Under the Bridge” based on the best-selling true-crime book of the same name by the late Rebecca Godfrey.

To redeem the offer, new and eligible returning customers can visit disneyplus.com.

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of FRENCH GIRL in Toronto on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Synopsis: 

French Girl follows Gordon Kinski, a high school teacher from Brooklyn, who goes with his girlfriend and chef Sophie Tremblay to her hometown of Quebec City where she is testing for the Michelin 3-star restaurant of super-chef Ruby Collins.

Starring: Zach Braff, Vanessa Hudgens, Evelyne Brochu, William Fichtner 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Share this Post from our IG or X account for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release FRENCH GIRL on March 7, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

After premiering at Sundance, we now get a first look at I SAW THE TV GLOW. VVS Films release this May in theatres.

Synopsis:

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Starring Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Pain

Written & Directed by Jane Schoenbrun

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Paramount+, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & 101 Studios announced that Guy Ritchie will direct and executive produce THE DONOVANS, a new series loosely based on RAY DONOVAN, one of the most watched SHOWTIME series of all time. Irish award-winning screenwriter, producer and novelist Ronan Bennett will pen all ten episodes. The series will debut on Paramount+ in Canada later this year.

With the most powerful clients in Europe, THE DONOVANS will see family fortunes and reputations at risk, odd alliances unfold, and betrayal around every corner; and while the family might be London’s most elite fixers today, the nature of their business means there is no guarantee what’s in store tomorrow.

“Guy Richie and Ronan Bennett are the ideal dream-team to create a new global hit franchise with THE DONOVANS,” said Chris McCarthy, President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Guy’s riveting and stylish directorial approach combined with Ronan’s captivating and brutally authentic writing will transfix audiences into a wild and twisted world full of new adventures.”

“We’re elated to partner with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios to reimagine the Ray Donovan legacy together. Having Guy and Ronan sign on to join us on this incredible journey has been a true blessing,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “We could not be more thrilled to take this huge hit and create a new and exciting show for audiences all over the world.”

From blockbuster success to the creation of instant cult classics, Guy Ritchie established his unique directorial brand in his breakthrough movie Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His work shares a common DNA built around exceptionally witty dialogue, stylized environments, and complex fast-paced plots. He continues to elevate his unique brand, garnering blockbuster success as director of the Sherlock Holmes franchise starring Robert Downey Jr., and Disney’s Aladdin which both grossed over $1B worldwide. He wrote and directed the instant cult classic, The Gentlemen, starring Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, and The Covenant starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. Ritchie’s iconic style goes hand in hand with incredible casting and has proven to transform any project into a Ritchie classic.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Showtime, Paramount+ and 101 Studios. We’re going to deliver a show which provides massive thrills, entertainment and a huge rush of adrenaline for audiences around the world,” said Bennett. “At the same time, I’m totally focused on exploring real characters, in body and in soul, and I’m committed to writing stories with deep dramatic impact. We’re going to get under the skin of the criminal underworld, in a way which will show you the bone-deep truths of how they live and how it sometimes will – inevitably – impact on our own lives.”

Ronan Bennett is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, journalist and novelist, whose early life run-ins with the law underpin his gripping, authentic portrayal of crime and justice. At just 19 years old, Bennett was wrongfully convicted of murder and serving life in a maximum-security prison, until 18 months later when his conviction was overturned, following legal appeals.

Bennett’s harrowing experience influenced his first major work, The Catastrophist, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Whitbread Award for best novel. His distinct point of view on the criminal underworld caught the eye of Michael Mann, who commissioned Bennett to write the screenplay for Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, which became a box office success. In 2011, Bennett created, produced and wrote all episodes of Top Boy, a crime-fueled drama series chronicling drug dealing and gang violence in London – often compared to HBO’s The Wire. The show went on to win multiple awards and ran for 5 seasons. Bennett is also the creator and showrunner of the highly anticipated TV adaptation of The Day of The Jackal, which stars Oscar Winner Eddie Redmayne and has been written by Bennett.

Guy Ritchie is represented by Matt Saver and WME. Ronan Bennett is represented by Charles Collier, Chalcot Square and CAA.

The series is executive produced by Guy Richie, Ronan Bennett, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin and Ivan Atkinson.