#TIFF23: NEW TRAILER FOR “BARGAIN”

Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for the upcoming festival-award-winning South Korean dystopian thriller series BARGAIN. All six episodes will premiere on Thursday, October 5, 2023 on Paramount+ in the U.S, the UK, Canada, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

In BARGAIN, men are lured to a remote hotel under the guise of sexual encounters only to be caught in a trafficking ring where their organs are auctioned off to the highest bidder. After a catastrophic earthquake, the victims, traffickers and buyers all are trapped inside the crumbling building. Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive the aftermath at any cost.

BARGAIN stars actors Jin Sun-kyu (Extreme Job), Jun Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) and Chang Ryul (My Name) and is an adaptation of director Lee Chung-hyun’s award-winning short film of the same name that was released in 2015. Director and writer Jeon Woo-sung, who was part of the production team of the original short film, picked up the story and developed it into a six-part series. The series is co-written by Choi Byeong-yun and Kwak Jae-min and executive produced by showrunner and creator Byun Seungmin and Bang Jin Ho.

BARGAIN was developed by Paramount+ and TVING through a partnership between Paramount and the Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM. In Korea, Paramount+ is a branded zone within TVING, a CJ ENM-controlled streaming platform with current operations in Korea. The deal also allows Korean content to flow to Paramount’s overseas streaming operations. BARGAIN is licensed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

BARGAIN was awarded the Critics’ Choice Award at Seriencamp Festival in Cologne in June and won Best Screenplay at Canneseries Festival earlier this year. BARGAIN also is an official 2023 Toronto International Film Festival selection, where it will have its North American premiere on September 9.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and South Korea.

#TIFF23: “SWAN SONG” TRAILER

Premiering at TIFF ’23, SWAN SONG gets a new Trailer premiere today! The Film saw Actress Neve Campbell sign-on as Executive Producer recently.

An expanded four-part limited series will premiere on
CBC Gem and CBC TV November 22, 2023

Synopsis:

SWAN SONG immerses viewers inside one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. With full access granted to the filmmakers, the verité-driven documentary closely follows Karen Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from across The National Ballet of Canada’s ranks, weaving Swan Lake’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant nights in their company’s history. The film’s intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance.

Directed by: Chelsea McMullan
Produced by: Sean O’Neill
Written by: Chelsea McMullan & Sean O’Neill
Executive Producers: Sean O’Neill, Chelsea McMullan, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Anna Godas, Oli Harbottle, Neve Campbel
Producer: Christina Carvalho
Directors of Photography: Tess Girard & Shady Hanna
Edited by: Brendan Mills
Additional Editing: Sabrina Budiman, John Gallagher
Original Score by: Katie Stelmanis

(Photo/video credit: Visitor Media)

#NEWMUSIC: KARAN AUJLA’S “MAKING MEMORIES” DEBUTS AT #5 MAKING HISTORY

Trailblazing Punjabi lyricist, rapper and singer Karan Aujla makes history as his album Making Memories debuted at #5 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, the highest charting Punjabi album debut ever. In its first week, Making Memories earned 7.5 million streams in Canada alone, while globally it garnered over 24 million streams. What’s more, each of the eight songs from Making Memories charted in the Top 200 in both India and Canada.

Making Memories was executive produced by Ikky, and debuted at #3 on the Spotify Global Top Albums chart and hit #1 on the Apple Music charts in India and Canada.

The album’s lead single “Admirin’ You” welcomed another historic moment as Aujla became the first Indian artist to cover Apple Music’s New Music Daily global playlist with an exclusive interview on the Zane Lowe show. Aujla also became the first artist to get a #1 track placement and cover simultaneously on Spotify’s biggest Punjabi playlist Punjabi 101 on day of release.The single became the #1 trending track on Instagram Reels globally within the first week; inspiring over one million creations on Snapchat in less than two weeks. The success expanded to TikTok and landed on the platform’s viral charts. The official music video surpassed 11.3 million views in 24 hours, reaching #1 trending on YouTube in Canada and Australia and hit the top 20 trending chart in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the UAE.

Making Memories is available as a special limited-edition, orchid purple vinyl now on sale here.

Next up for Aujla is his Making Memories headlining tour in October with eight stops across the United States – get your tickets here.

Making Memories Tour

Oct 13 – New York , NY
Oct 15 – Washington , DC
Oct 20 – San Francisco , CA
Oct 22 – Los Angeles , CA
Oct 24 – Houston , TX
Oct 26 – Atlanta , GA
Oct 27 – Indianapolis, IN
Oct 29 – Chicago , IL

About Karan Aujla

Karan Aujla was born and raised in the village of Ghurala in Northern Punjab amidst the rural and farm lifestyle. At a young age, both of Aujla’s parents passed away and creating rhymes and writing was a pacifier and escape for Karan. When he discovered Punjabi folk music after his parent’s death, he was ultimately inspired to delve into the world of songwriting and realized that he had a unique talent with the pen. Karan Aujla relocated to British Columbia, Canada and during his high school years, he was sought out by many Punjabi artists as a songwriter and would go on to write several singles for the most prominent Punjabi artists at the time. With fate at work, one of Karan’s songs as a full-fledged artist rather than writer garnered international buzz in the Punjabi community worldwide. His debut album, BacTHAfuKUP (B.T.F.U.), released in 2021, highlights his vocal prowess in unison with trance-like Punjabi folk production. This album solidified his place as a global ambassador of Punjabi music worldwide, with a hundred million streams across streaming platforms, and #6 placement on Spotify’s Global Chart. That same year, Karan was dubbed India’s most prominent artist as he was ranked #38 on the Global Digital Artist Ranking. Karan has over 3 billion official video views, has garnered over 1 billion audio streams and 13 million followers across his channels. Equipped with a love of traditional folk Punjabi music and an affinity for melodic hip-hop and trap R&B from moving to Canada – Karan’s sonic essence elevated to uncharted heights. His cumulative musical experience has resulted in a fusion of Punjabi and North American sounds, where Karan serves as a cultural bridge.

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE GOLD” COMING TO PARAMOUNT+

Paramount+ today revealed the official key art and trailer for the service’s upcoming drama THE GOLD. Commissioned in partnership with the BBC, the series will debut in the U.S. on Sunday, September 17, with two episodes. Following premiere, new episodes will be available to stream weekly on Sundays, exclusively on Paramount+. In all international markets where Paramount+ is available, THE GOLD will debut on Thursday, September 14, 2023 with all episodes available to stream.

THE GOLD is inspired by the real-life events that took place on November 26, 1983, when six armed men broke into the Brink’s-Mat security depot near London’s Heathrow Airport and inadvertently stumbled across gold bullion worth £26m. According to detectives, what started as a typical Old Kent Road armed robbery became a seminal event in British criminal history that’s remarkable not only for the scale of the theft – at the time the biggest in world history – but for its wider legacy. The disposal of the bullion caused the birth of large-scale international money laundering; provided the dirty money that helped fuel the London Docklands property boom; united blue- and white-collar criminals; and left controversy and murder in its wake. 

Created and written by Neil Forsyth (Guilt), THE GOLD stars Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington 1 and 2), alongside Dominic Cooper (The Preacher, The Devil’s Double), Jack Lowden (Small Axe: Mangrove, Slow Horses), Charlotte Spencer (The Duke, Cinderella), Tom Cullen (Becoming Elizabeth, Black Mirror), Emun Elliott (Guilt, Old), Sean Harris (Southcliffe, Mission: Impossible), Ellora Torchia (Ali and Ava, Midsommar), Stefanie Martini (Prime Suspect, The Last Kingdom), Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, Lovesick) and Adam Nagaitis (Red Rose, Chernobyl). Co-produced by Tannadice Pictures, an Objective Fiction partner, and Paramount Television International Studios, THE GOLD provides a pulsating dramatization of this extraordinary and epic story for the first time. THE GOLD is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of the Paramount+ markets.

THE GOLD first premiered in the UK on the BBC, where it received widespread acclaim and became one of the UK’s biggest new dramas of the year so far.

#TIFF23: TIFF RISING STARS ANNOUNCED

The Toronto International Film Festival® is excited to announce this year’s global cohort of Rising Stars for 2023. The TIFF Rising Stars programme features actors on the verge of making a large impact on the international stage and provides them with an exclusive opportunity to experience and engage in professional development and mentorship sessions and industry events that provide valuable networking opportunities with established creatives at the Festival. All Rising Stars are featured in films and series from TIFF 2023’s Official Selection, and join the Festival from around the world.

“Every year, we see the incredible impact of TIFF’s Rising Stars initiative and are thrilled to announce the new 2023 cohort of the most exciting and up and coming on-screen talent,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “If you don’t know who they are, you will soon.”

TIFF Rising Stars will be celebrated at a special moment during the 2023 TIFF Tribute Awards presented by Bulgari. The annual event, taking place at the Royal York Hotel on Sunday September 10th, celebrates achievements across the film industry. New this year, the TIFF Rising Stars Tribute After Party will follow the dinner and awards ceremony with current and past Rising Stars mingling with film lovers for an evening of glamour and fun in celebration of emerging talent. Sarah Gadon, a former Rising Star from the program’s first cohort, is chairing this fundraising event which also features DJ Karim Olen Ash. Other committee members include: Zubby Achara, Jordyn Benattar, Kyla Doering, Elizabeth Heggie, Sarah Jenkins, Carmen Madonia, Pooja Sihra, Nicole Tapscott, and Jorey Worb. Tickets are available by reaching out to development@tiff.net.

Adwa Bader (Saudi Arabia/USA)
NAGA
(dir. Meshaal Al Jaser)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Adwa Bader is a Saudi American multihyphenate and interdisciplinary artist, actor, poet, and screenwriter. She’s a Riyadh native who landed many roles as a commercial actor and model since 2008, working on short films and campaigns for many local and international brands and outlets such as Harvey Nichols, Destination, FarFetch, and Burberry. Bader published a limited and exclusive compilation of her poetry in 2020, and most recently landed her first lead role to star in director Meshal Al Jasser’s feature film NAGA, which is set to be released in 2023.

Almudena González (Argentina)
The Ravaging Wind
(dir. Paula Hernández)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Almudena González is an actor born in Buenos Aires in 1999. Having graduated from the Vocational Institute of Art in 2016, she also trained with Federico León, Francisca Ure, Juan Onofri Barbato, Laura Sbdar, and Martín Flores Cárdenas. In 2021, she filmed Argentina, 1985, directed by Santiago Mitre; and in 2022, she filmed A Ravaging Wind, her first leading role, directed by Paula Hernández. She is currently studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Acting at UNA, which she entered in 2017. She teaches acting and poetry classes in self-managed, private workshops.

Amrit Kaur (Canada)
The Queen of My Dreams
(dir. Fawzia Mirza)
TIFF Share Her Journey Giving Circle Fellow
Amrit Kaur is an artistic hyphenate: an actor, comedian, director, and writer. She believes in acting as a humanitarian art form with the power to heal, transcend, and empower. Kaur will star in Fawzia Mirza’s The Queen of My Dreams opposite Hamza Haq and Nimra Bucha. The film, premiering at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, follows a Pakistani woman and her Canadian-born daughter as they come of age in two eras. The actor is best known for her breakout role on Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble’s HBO Max hit series, The Sex Lives of College Girls. Amongst myriad raving reviews, The Chicago Sun Times’ Richard Roeper hailed Kaur’s performance, where “in a cast of standouts, Kaur is the superstar… that funny, that clever, that captivating.” Off-screen, Kaur continues to maintain a strong connection to theatre. She is an ensemble member of Gracemoon Arts Company, which is building an off-Broadway theatre opening in Brooklyn, NY later this year.

Aria Mia Loberti (USA)
All The Light We Cannot See
(dir. Shawn Levy)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow

Aria Mia Loberti is an American actress, writer, scholar, and human rights advocate. She plays the lead role in Shawn Levy’s adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel All The Light We Cannot See. Loberti earned the part after a global search of thousands of actresses, despite no formal training; it’s her first-ever acting role and is a leading example of authentic blind representation. A Fulbright Scholar with a master’s degree in ancient rhetoric from Royal Holloway University of London, she is also a PhD candidate at Penn State University. Furthermore, as a supporter of UNICEF, Loberti is actively a passionate advocate for human rights, environmental justice, and educational equity.

Cody Lightning (Canada)
Hey, Viktor!
(dir. Cody Lightning)

Cody Lightning is a world-class, generation-defining actor. Hailing from Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, Lightning began acting at age five in the film Geronimo. Since then, he has become one of Hollywood’s most active Indigenous actors, best known for his roles in Smoke Signals, The Brave, Brick, and many more. In 2023, Lightning will star in Marvel’s upcoming Echo series. His debut feature film as a writer-director, Hey Victor!, sees Lightning revisit his iconic role in Smoke Signals. In recent years, Lightning has taken on greater creative responsibilities, including producing, directing, and writing, focusing on projects that highlight how fucking hilarious Indigenous people are.

Kudakwashe Rutendo (Canada)
Backspot
(dir. D. W. Waterson)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Kudakwashe Rutendo is a fast-rising actor from Fort McMurray, Alberta, currently based in Toronto. She was first introduced to the performing arts through LIVE poetry, and since then her passion for performance has only grown. After graduating high school, she moved to Toronto to attend the University of Toronto and pursue a career in acting. Recently, Rutendo landed a role starring alongside actor Tatyana Ali in the feature film Giving Hope: The Ni’cola Mitchell Story (Lifetime). She is also a theatre actor featured in productions such as Lost Heroes of Oro (Theatre by the Bay), and Vierge (Factory Theatre). Rutendo is expected to have her breakout role in the upcoming feature film Backspot (Page Boy Productions), starring opposite Devery Jacobs (Rising Stars 2018), Thomas Antony Olajide (Rising Stars 2021), and Evan Rachel Wood.

Léah Aubert (France)
Sisterhood
(dir. Nora el Hourch)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Always passionate about cinema, Leah Aubert started acting when she was seven in a musical comedy. Since then, Aubert never stopped acting, going from theatre class in school to acting in front of a camera. Her first step in front of the camera was in a 2021 student film. Recently, she starred in the movie Sisterhood by Nora el Hourch, and has also created her own short movie, which she both acted in and directed.

Mark Clennon (Canada)
I Don’t Know Who You Are
(dir. M.H. Murray)

Mark Clennon is a Jamaican-born artist whose art is expressed through various mediums. As a musician, he has garnered fans worldwide with music that The Recording Academy describes as “mesmerising,” MTV News recently described his art as “intimate and groundbreaking.” In 2022, Clennon made history with the first music video set and shot in Jamaica to depict a same-sex on-screen romance instantly highlighting him as one of Jamaica’s only openly gay performers. Clennon began his career in entertainment as an actor, but took a hiatus to focus on music. I Don’t Know Who You Are marks his triumphant return to acting, with which he is able to marry his love and passion for music.

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (New Zealand)
The Convert
(dir. Lee Tamahori)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne is a Māori Storyteller who is of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent. She grew up on the East Coast attending Te Kohanga Reo o Itinoa and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti. After completing school, Ngatai-Melbourne auditioned and was accepted into New Zealand’s leading drama school, Toi Whakaari, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Acting (BA) in 2020. Ngatai-Melbourne is well known for her roles in feature films such as Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Kahu), Cousins (Adult Makareta), and Whina (Teenage Whina), as well as the TV series We are still here (Te Mauniko), Mystic (Maia), and Kairākau (Ruamahu). Ngatai-Melbourne has also discovered a passion for creating her own work, and most recently wrote, directed, and starred in her debut short film E Rangi Rā (Paea), supported by Māoriland Film. Her hopes and aspirations are to break the stereotypical way Māori are portrayed by decolonizing the screen and spaces, and above all, to make her Māori whanau, hapu, and iwi proud.

TIFF Rising Stars is produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, with the support of Emma Bulpin, Rising Stars Programmer, and, Taelor Lewis-Joseph, Associate Programmer, Industry.

#TIFF23: COLMAN DOMINGO TO RECEIVE TIFF TRIBUTE PERFOMER AWARD

Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Colman Domingo will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. This Award recognizes an overall body of exceptional work, and is one of seven awards being handed out at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala, presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

A prolific actor of the screen and the stage, Domingo’s career spans over 30 years. Domingo will next be seen in Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing premiering at the Festival. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman in 2022; Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.

Sing Sing is about a theatre troupe that finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, the film is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.

“Colman Domingo’s performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,” said Bailey. “Domingo’s presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and we’re excited to honour him this year.”

Domingo joins the recently announced 2023 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Andy Lau, recipient of the Special Tribute Award; Carolina Markowicz, recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios; Łukasz Żal, recipient of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; Shawn Levy, recipient of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award presented by The Budman Family; Pedro Almodóvar, recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant; and Spike Lee, recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator.

The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.

Colman Domingo bio
Colman Domingo is an Emmy Award–winning actor, and has been nominated for a Tony®, Independent Spirit, Gotham, Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Drama League, NAACP Image, and Black Reel Award as an actor, playwright, and producer. He stars in and executive produced Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, which will make its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In June 2023, he appeared in and produced the unscripted AMC travel show You Are Here and was a producer on the Tony-nominated Fat Ham. He is well known for his Spirit Award–nominated role in Janicza Bravo’s Zola as well as his work on stage in The Scottsboro Boys and Broadway’s Passing Strange. Domingo and his husband Raúl Domingo have produced a myriad of work under their Edith Productions banner, including four seasons of the award-winning variety talk show Bottomless Brunch at Colman’s. Domingo co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Academy Award–shortlisted animated short film New Moon, based on his play A Boy and His Soul. He also starred in and executive produced the award-winning short North Star.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR TIFF ’23 SELECTION “RUSTIN”

Today we get a brand-new Trailer for RUSTIN starring Colman Domingo. The Film by George C. Wolfe premieres at TIFF ’23 and arrives November 17, 2023 on Netflix.

Synopsis:
The architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten. Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Rustin shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom. Produced by Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and George C. Wolfe, the film features an all-star cast including Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

Director: George C. Wolfe
Screenplay By: Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black
Story By: Julian Breece
Produced By: Bruce Cohen, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis, George C. Wolfe
Executive Producers: Higher Ground’s Barack & Michelle Obama, Mark R. Wright, Alex G. Scott, David Permut, Daniel Sladek, Chris Taaffe
Cast: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Lilli Kay, Jordan-Amanda Hall, Jakeem Powell, Grantham Coleman, Jamilah Rosemond, Jules Latimer, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Frank Harts, Kevin Mambo, Carra Patterson, Bill Irwin, Cotter Smith, Adrienne Warren, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: FAN EXPO 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

FAN EXPO CANADA returned this weekend in Toronto, running from August 24-27, 2023 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event, known as Canada’s largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event draws fans from all around the world to celebrate their love of genre, a chance to meet their idols and also connect with others who are equally passionate about their fandoms.

The weekend saw large crowds and long queues, making those years impacted by the pandemic seem like a distant memory. While most autograph sessions, photo ops, Tattoo Alley and vendors took-up the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the South Building saw an even larger focus on Artist Alley, an area where Artists were line-up and ready to meet their fans, giving them an opportunity to order commissioned pieces. Cosplay was out of this world and even more next-level than ever before!

Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike putting Hollywood at a standstill right now, many of the celebrity guests at the event observed guidelines that paid respect to the Union, while balancing this still with a chance to not disappoint their eager fans. Names like Zachary Levi, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Harvey Guillén, Anthony Michael Hall, Christie Brinkley, Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Jason Lee, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Christina Ricci and Hayden Christensen, came out to raise the event’s profile doing autograph signings, photo ops and panels. Big draws like Millie Bobby Brown, Chevy Chase, Danny Trejo and Sam Raimi also were among the names originally scheduled but had to cancel in the weeks leading to the event.

And this year there was a more female-led presence more than ever before. Is this the Barbie effect?

A Reel of highlights:

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There were more activations than ever before with several streaming services setting-up fun, interactive experiences for attendees, giving them a chance at photo ops and prizes!

PRIME VIDEO CANADA

Guests at this activation received free Prime Video-branded reusable bags and chances to get photo ops celebrating the launch of GEN V (a spinoff of their top-rated series The Boys), Invincible and The Wheel of Time. Fans were even given a chance to screen the first episode of the latter’s second season this past weekend.

STACKTV

Lots of fun skill-testing activities for a shot at prizes from their Prize Booth at their STACKTV CARNIVAL! Ringing-in the launch of the upcoming new seasons of SURVIVOR, RICK AND MORTY, CHUCKY and original series ROBYN HOOD!

PARAMOUNT+ CANADA

Highlighting current theatrical release TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM, plus popular series like TWISTED METAL, YELLOWSTONE and SPONGEBOB, guests got to enjoy fun photo ops celebrating these titles. There was even an mini refrigerator inspired by TWISTED METAL being given away!

DISNEY+ CANADA

STAR WARS: AHSOKA streams now on the service and some really cool pieces from the Series were put in display, including the very adorable Loth-Cat. Guests also got to put themselves into an interactive 360 cam video.

CRUNCHYROLL

This Anime and Manga streaming giant make their first foray north, debuting at Fan Expo Canada this year! If you love Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Z, this is the service for you!

CINEPLEX PICTURES

With big releases planned ahead, a displays promoting EXPEND4BLES, HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES and SAW X, were seen. Costume pieces from the former designed by Academy Award nominee Trish Summerville, were proudly showcased.

SQUISHMALLOWS

In addition to taking over Summer 2023 with a McFlurry and special limited edition Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s, Squishmallows have us obsessed. An activation with fun games was very popular, people playing for a chance to win one of these treasured toys.

STUDIO GHIBLI

Too much cuteness at this Cat Bus photo op, allowing guests to hop into the busy for photo ops with their loved ones.

In addition to many vendors selling hard-to-find merchandise and memorabilia, some familiar retailers set-up show also in the South Building.

UNIQLO CANADA

Uniqlo Canada currently has a T-Shirt collection inspired by popular Manga “BLEACH” and these were available for purchase.

RETROKID

We love Retrokid and their love for all things nostalgic to us. They even had some pieces on-sale at Fan Expo Canada! Did you know that Scarborough’s Emmy-winning voice chameleon Eric Bauza is a Co-Founder?

Team Mr. Will had the pleasure of sitting-in on some the key panels over the weekend and here are the highlights!

“SCREAM” PANEL

The Cast of this beloved franchise came out to speak at a panel amidst guidelines that paid respect to SAG-AFTRA strike guidelines. Appearing at the Panel were Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich and Jamie Kennedy.

Before the Cast came out on-stage, certain house rules were laid-out:

-During the strike, there will be no questions about any work those on the panel have done. This goes for every panel.

-That means that for the Scream panel, the Cast cannot mention any work they did on the franchise.

-Due to this, they will answer more personal questions and talk about the industry.

-Only fan questions previously selected from social channels would be asked.

Some highlights and quotes from the Panel:

“You know we have a strike going on. It’s lovely to be at this…insurance convention.” — Jamie Kennedy

“It’s really humbling…you have these moments coming out to beautiful groups of people…we really appreciate you guys” — Matthew Lillard (on coming to Fan Expo)

“I love seeing Ghostface out there!” — Neve Campbell (to the one fan cosplaying as Ghostface)

The Cast comment on what makes them scared in real life:
“American politics” — Matthew Lillard
“Religious horror…the exorcist” — Skeet Ulrich
“The original exorcist but also being at home” — Jamie Kennedy
“Anything with kids” — Neve Campbell

On Director Wes Craven, the Cast had nothing by glowing praise about the late Director.

-“He was just so calm. He set a president. A calm beautiful inclusive demeanour…he was like ‘never be scared to ask a director for another take and don’t be scared to ask a question'” – Jamie Kennedy

-“The essence of him. He had a psychological curiosity about all his characters. He was incredibly supportive of not just the actors but everyone around him to being his vision to life” –Skeet Ulrich

-“He had a wonderful twisted sense of humour…you’d do a take this very violent take and all you’d hear after cut was him giggling in glee … he was a wonderful wonderful person and I miss him” -Neve Campbell

-Craven once told Matthew Lillard that he would win an Academy Award one day and he told his mother that on the phone while on set…”I didn’t know how I was going to feed my kids…for me that moment resonates very deeply when I feel the worst” – Matthew Lillard

JON BERNTHAL

Jon Bernthal (Daredevil, The Bear, King Richard) has been to the City prior for TIFF and comments what he thinks of Toronto:
“I’ve come here for the film festival a couple of times and shot something here. I wrote something here and I got a lot of really cool work. I accredit that to really cool people. Good people. Good energy.”

On method acting:
“When you think about there are just sacred seconds between action and cut. For me, being the monkey with the makeup on saying the line…You need to start warding off things that are distractions and keep your energy. I don’t need anyone to call me by a different name. I just need to kneel at the alter of the project and the story.”

On advice he would give himself when he was starting out:
“Don’t feel like you gotta bleed out for this thing. Don’t grind so hard. But the truth is the journey is our journey.”

CHRISTINA RICCI

Ricci (Sleepy Hollow, Wednesday, Yellowjackets) would field only audience questions, navigating strike guidelines with aplomb.

-“I had a difficult childhood home life. There’s a lot of abuse in my family so being an actor for me was an escape. So when people ask me how you survived the industry I’m like how the fuck do you survive life. I’m still a person who struggles and a person who’s finding their way. The best thing is to surround yourself by genuinely good people or no one at all”

On what she’s stolen from sets:

-“I’ve stolen knickknacks. Really comfy warm clothes. I occasionally get really good socks. But nothing anyone else would find impressive.”

On advice to her young self or new actors:

-“Your biggest asset is individuality. There’s no point in being good at what others are really good at. Focus on what you can do that others can’t do.”

Cosplayers at Fan Expo Canada continue to up their game every year and this year was exactly this. See some of the amazing, innovative looks!

Don’t forget to download the Fan Expo App for all updates and to best plan your next experience at Fan Expo!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amanda Gilmore)

#FIRSTLOOK: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS CANADA “WISH” PREVIEW

By George Kozera

Recently, we had the great honour to be invited by Disney to view select scenes from their upcoming cinematic extravaganza WISH, followed by a Q&A from the Movie’s Producer Peter Del Vecho and first-time feature Director Fawn Veerasunthorn (who had worked on Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Zootopia and Frozen in various capacities).

WISH is about a young girl who will meet the King, hoping he will grant her most fervent wish only to discover that all is not what it seems to be.

Oscar winner, Ariana DeBose is the voice of Asha, the young girl with the wish and Chris Pine is the voice of King Magnifico, who may be Disney‘s most fascinating villain to date.

The two songs we had the opportunity to hear and see on the big screen are astonishing (DeBose has pipes!) but it’s the animation that takes your breath away.

Just when you think that Disney movies cannot look better, we are once again floored by what is presented. Veerasunthorn has amalgamated all she had done in previous features and this Movie has Oscar written all over it!

Disney‘s WISH is in theatres November 22, 2023.

#SPOTTED: BEN SCHWARTZ IN TORONTO FOR “BEN SCHWARTZ AND FRIENDS”

We adore Ben Schwartz! The Funnyman brought his Ben Schwartz and Friends to Toronto finally after the show was post-poned last September at Meridian Hall. The venue this time around was Massey Hall and he filled the house, bringing along Comedians Ben Tarver and Jessica McKenna.

Schwartz has a very impressive body of work, including two Sonic the Hedgehog films, The Other Guys, Everybody’s Fine, The Afterparty, House of Lies and Parks and Recreation.

Upon arriving in Toronto, he got to try Matty Matheson’s top-rated Prime Seafood Palace and called the meal “mindblowing”! Matheson returned then support attending Schwartz’s show, along with Actor-turned-Director Finn Wolfhard.

So happy finally to meet Schwartz after missing him on his last visit here back in 2018, playing Danforth Music Hall along with Thomas Middleditch! An incredibly nice guy!

There will be a third Sonic the Hedgehog film. Can’t wait!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)