The Mandalorian and Grogu are embarking on a newadventure—to movie theaters. Directed by Jon Favreau, and produced by Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, this new chapter in the Mandalorian and Grogu’s journey will go into production in 2024. 

“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created. The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting,” Favreau shared.  

Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, added, “Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.” 

“The Mandalorian & Grogu” will lead Lucasfilm’s ongoing feature-development slate, which includes films helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold and Dave Filoni, who is also currently developing “Ahsoka” Season 2, among those in the works.

This news was first announced on www.starwars.com.

Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for UK original drama series SEXY BEAST. The new series, starring James McArdle, Emun Elliott, Tamsin Greig, Stephen Moyer and Sarah Greene, will premiere on January 25, 2024 on Paramount+ in the U.K., Canada, U.S. and all international territories where the streaming service is available.

The new trailer for the prequel series gives a first glimpse into the origins of Gal and Don’s complicated relationship as they find themselves descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s, while Gal’s budding relationship with DeeDee threatens everything in their world.

James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, Angels in America) is Gal Dove, and Emun Elliott (The Rig, The Gold) is Don Logan – the duo are best friends and small-town thieves, living the good life in ‘90s East London. Sarah Greene (Bad Sisters, Normal People) is Deedee Harrison, a captivating adult film star whose ambitions to control her own personal destiny and her love affair with Gal Dove put her in danger. Stephen Moyer (Shots Fired, True Blood) is Teddy Bass, a treacherous, rising name in the gangster world, who seduces Gal and Don into his criminal web, and Tamsin Greig (Episodes, Friday Night Dinner) is Don’s pathologically controlling and formidable older sister Cecilia.

Additional cast includes Eliza Bennett (Dynasty), Clea Martin (Hanna), Nicholas Nunn (The Victim), Peter Ferdinando (The Letter For The King), John Dagleish (The Third Day), Robbie Gee (Motherland), Paul Kaye (The Stranger), Lex Shrapnel (Infiniti), Cally Lawrence (Who Is Alice), David Kennedy (Hollyoaks), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Greenwing), Ralph Brown (Godfather of Harlem), Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders) and Alice Bailey Johnson (This Is Going to Hurt).

SEXY BEAST was filmed in Liverpool, and is produced by AC Chapter One and Anonymous Content in association with PTIS, the international studio division of Paramount Global. Michael Caleo, Nicole Clemens, Antony Smith, Michael Scheel, JC Acosta, Alastair Galbraith and David Caffrey are executive producers, along with David Scinto and Louis Mellis, the writers of the original film. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

SEXY BEAST joins the expanding U.K. slate of originals debuting across Paramount+ internationally, with additional series including THE FLATSHARE, NO ESCAPE and THE BURNING GIRLS

The Canadian entertainment industry is gearing up for a momentous celebration, proudly recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of its finest talent at the 75th Annual Emmy Awards. The Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, Zaib Shaikh, alongside Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, will open the doors to Canada’s House on Thursday, January 11 for this year’s Canada at the Emmys® event in LA. This private reception, co-hosted by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and in partnership with the Province of Alberta, the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton, pays tribute to this year’s Emmy nominees, highlighting the exceptional contributions of Canadian artisans and television stars to the global entertainment landscape.

This year’s honorees feature the beloved Canadian comedy icon Martin Short, a seasoned Emmy veteran boasting 15 nominations and two wins. Short continues his impressive streak with yet another nomination for his outstanding leading role in the Disney+ murder-mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building. Accompanying him in the comedy category is Luke Kirby, securing another guest actor nomination for his stellar portrayal of Lenny Bruce in Prime Video’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Additionally, making his Emmy debut is Lamar Johnson, earning a nomination for his compelling guest role in HBO’s dystopian zombie drama, The Last of Us.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I join Consul General Zaib Shaikh in celebrating the outstanding achievements of Canadian talent at the 75th Annual Emmy Awards. We are grateful to the CMF, the Province of Alberta, the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton whose dedication to the screen-based industries in Canada makes today possible,” said Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States. “Congratulations to all the honourees, whose work exemplify the richness and diversity of Canada’s impact within the broader industry. This event emphasizes the significance of spotlighting and championing Canadian talent worldwide, fostering ongoing collaboration between our countries in the dynamic realm of entertainment.”

Canadian nominees also include: composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, recognized for his musical work on the HBO satire The White Lotus Season 2; Montreal’s Antoni Porowski, one of the hosts of Netflix’s Queer Eye, secured his fourth nomination in the Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Competition Program category; Acclaimed writer/actor Susan Coyne, making her Emmy debut, earned a nomination as the Co-Executive Producer of Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & The Six; Award-winning production designer Paul Healy received an Emmy nomination for his work on The Last of Us; and Adam Haisinger who is nominated in the Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program as part of the team behind The Amazing Race.

“We are immensely proud of the Canadian artists and creators who have been recognized at this year’s Emmy Awards,” said Zaib Shaikh, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles. “Their achievements not only reflect the high caliber of talent in Canada but also contribute to the global reputation of our entertainment industry. Alongside our partners on this year’s event. we proudly welcome our nominees to celebrate their outstanding contributions to this past year’s excellence in storytelling.”

Noteworthy documentary nominations include Apple TV’s Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie and Netflix’s Pamela, A Love Story, both nominated in the Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Special category. The Michael J. Fox documentary received nods in multiple categories, including Outstanding Directing for a Documentary and Outstanding Cinematography for a Non-Fiction program.

“It is a privilege to celebrate and showcase the exceptional achievements of Canadian talent at the 75th Annual Emmy Awards,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund. “Our country is brimming with talent in front of and behind the camera and I am proud that the industry and the world is taking note. The Canadian nominees this year reflect the excellence of our entertainment industry and reinforce our standing as a key player in shaping television at home and around the world. A big congrats to everyone!”

Canadian talent also excelled in below-the-line categories this year, showcasing their exceptional contributions behind the camera. Notably, Alberta-shot series The Last of Us and Toronto-shot productions What We Do in the Shadows, Umbrella Academy and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities had numerous Canadian professionals garnering Emmy nominations. These nominations span across critical below-the-line disciplines, including production design, hairstyling, costume design, sound mixing, and visual effects. The recognition of these skilled individuals underscores the depth and breadth of Canada’s impact on the global television industry in both on-screen performances and behind-the-scenes craftsmanship.

In addition to celebrating this year’s Emmy nominees, the Consul General of Canada to Los Angeles will present Keys to the Consulate to this year’s honourees, music icon Robbie Robertson (posthumously) and Kirk Pickersgill, founder of award-winning fashion label Greta Constantine to receive this year’s Keys to the Consulate. Robertson’s wife Janet Zuccarini and Pickersgill will be in attendance and will join Emmy nominees Lamar Johnson, Luke Kirby, Susan Coyne, Paul Healy, Adam Haisinger, previous Key to the Consulate recipients Shamier Anderson and Tantoo Cardinal, alongside numerous other celebrated Canadians as Canada’s House welcomes some of the year’s most exciting talent.

This celebration at the Consul General of Los Angeles House underscores the importance of recognizing and promoting Canadian talent on the international stage. The event will serve as a platform to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of these honourees and to enhance the cultural exchange between Canada and the United States.

MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and producer is partnering once again with My French Film Festival, the world’s first online French-language film festival that is now in its fourteenth year, to bring three films from the festival’s fantastic 2024 lineup to the service in the new year.

The three films will stream exclusively on MUBI from January 19 throughout February. Carefully curated under the From France with Love collection, the partnership aims to highlight the works of a new generation of French-language directors.

JUNKYARD DOG – streaming on MUBI from January 19 

Childhood friends Dog and Mirales live in a village in the South of France with little to do—teasing Dog mercilessly is Mirales’ favorite pastime. But with the arrival of newcomer Elsa, this summer is different. Romance soon blossoms between Elsa and Dog, while jealousy eats away at Mirales. 

NO DOGS OR ITALIANS ALLOWED – streaming on MUBI from January 19 

Luigi and his brothers set out from their native village in the Piedmont to discover “La Merica”, the fabulous land where dollars grow on trees. Finally, instead of crossing the Atlantic, Luigi puts his backpack down in southern France, with hands that could no longer work.

THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE – streaming on MUBI from January 19 

For 25 years, in an enormous nightclub, a man and a woman watch and wait for an unknown event. From 1979 to 2004, we follow the evolution of disco to techno music, the story of a love, the story of an obsession.

FALLEN LEAVES

One of the Best Films of the Year
Associated Press, The Atlantic, Cahiers du Cinéma, Esquire, Film Comment, The Film Stage, Jim Jarmusch, John Waters, Little White Lies, New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Ringer, RogerEbert.com, Sight & Sound, Slant, Vogue

The #1 Film of the Year “A masterpiece… Sometimes small miracles appear in the form of movies… Kaurismäki works magic” TIME

January 9, 2024 – MUBI, the global film distributor, streaming service and production company, has announced today the exclusive streaming date for Aki Kaurismäki’s (Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope) masterful return with his timeless love story Fallen Leaves. The film won the Jury Prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and is also shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards®. Fallen Leaves will stream exclusively on MUBI in Canada from January 19.

Set in modern day Helsinki, Fallen Leaves tells the story of Ansa (Alma Pöysti) and Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), two lonely souls whose chance meeting at a local karaoke bar is beset by numerous hurdles. From lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism and a charming stray dog, the pair’s path to happiness is as bittersweet as it is ultimately delightful.

Shot through with Kaurismäki’s typically playful, idiosyncratic style and deadpan sense of humor, this tender romantic tragicomedy is both a loving tribute to the filmmaker’s beloved contemporaries and a timely

The Trailer for the eighth season of Netflix’s QUEER EYE is now available!

Series Premiere Date: January 24, 2024
Format: Unscripted Series (6 episodes)
Synopsis: The Fab Five return to New Orleans to jazz up the lives of their heroes – one emotional makeover at a time. From a coach and teacher to Deaf students struggling to realize his value, to a Bayou-born outdoorsman looking to reignite the spark in his marriage, expect more laughter and tears as Queer Eye continues to transform lives and celebrate the power of kindness.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Paramount+ today unveiled the official trailer and key art for THE WOMAN IN THE WALL, the six-episode thriller starring and executive produced by BAFTA and Golden GlobeAward winner Ruth Wilson (THE AFFAIR, His Dark Materials) and co-starring BAFTA Award nominee Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders). THE WOMAN IN THE WALL will premiere on Paramount+ in Canada on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Written and created by BAFTA Award nominee Joe Murtagh (Calm with Horses), THE WOMAN IN THE WALL centers on Lorna Brady (Wilson), a woman from the small, fictional Irish town of Kilkinure, who wakes one morning to find a corpse in her house. Chillingly, Lorna has no idea who the dead woman is or if she, herself, might be responsible for the apparent murder. That’s because Lorna has long suffered from extreme bouts of sleepwalking ever since she was ripped from her life at the age of 15 and incarcerated in The Kilkinure Convent, a (fictional) home to one of Ireland’s infamous Magdalene Laundries for women. There, Lorna gave birth to her daughter Agnes, who cruelly was taken from her and whose fate Lorna never has known.

Detective Colman Akande (McCormack) is now on Lorna’s tail for a crime seemingly unrelated to the body she has discovered in her house. His scathing wit hides a quiet sadness, and when he meets Lorna, he finds himself forced to confront his own haunting secrets. As Colman searches for a murderer and Lorna searches for her daughter, their paths collide in ways they never could have anticipated. The series also stars Simon Delaney (The Conjuring 2), Philippa Dunne (The Nevers), Mark Huberman (Band of Brothers), Hilda Fay (Float Like a Butterfly), Frances Tomelty (The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard), Dermot Crowley (Luther: The Fallen Sun) and Fiona Bell (Shetland).

THE WOMAN IN THE WALL is produced by Motive Pictures for SHOWTIME and The BBC. In addition, the series is executive produced by Simon Maxwell (Get Millie Black, Deep State), Sam Lavender (Saint Maud, The Lobster), Murtagh, Wilson (Mrs. Wilson, True Things) and Harry Wootliff (True Things).

Production has begin on the fifth and final season of STRANGER THINGS and today a new image (above) has been released.

ABOUT THE SERIES

A love letter to the ‘80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world — forever.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things debuted in July 2016 and quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular television series ever with its fourth season alone amassing over 140.7 Million views globally. Rooted in 80’s nostalgia, it has sparked a resurgence of pop culture items from the decade with every new season, including Eggo waffles and New Coke. Most recently, the series breathed new life into Kate Bush’s track “Running Up That Hill” with the song soaring in streams on Spotify and entering the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time in its 38-year history. The series has also garnered over 70 awards worldwide including Emmys and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and has been nominated for over 230 awards. Stranger Things fans everywhere celebrate November 6 – the day Will Byers went missing – as ‘Stranger Things Day,’ a special day to share their love for the world of Stranger Things.

Season 5 was announced as the final season of Stranger Things with additional projects in the universe in the works, including: Stranger Things: The First Shadow live on stage in London’s West End along with an untitled animated spinoff series.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association‘s Golden Globe Awards, honouring achievements in Cinema and Television, returned to the Beverly Hilton tonight, now in their 81st edition. Leading the pack in the Film categories was Christopher Nolan‘s OPPENHEIMER, winning a total five awards tonight including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Screenplay (Christopher Nolan), Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson) and Best Director, which notched Nolan his first ever win in the category after six nominations. This certainly bodes well for the critical and commercial success at the upcoming Academy Awards, taking place March 10, 2024.

Topping the Television categories was HBO series SUCCESSION, which just concluded in its fourth season this past May, capping off its legacy on a high note. It swept Best Drama Series, Best Actor (Kieran Culkin), Best Actress (Sarah Snook) and Best Supporting Actor (Matthew McFadyen).

Netflix and A24‘s BEEF would go on to get the gold as well, winning Best Limited Series, Best Actor in a Limited Series (Steven Yeun) and Best Actress in a Limited Series (Ali Wong). Both Actors made history as the first ever of Asian descent to win in their respective categories. History also was made with Lily Gladstone becoming the first ever Indigenous Actress to win a Golden Globe Award, getting recognized for her work in Martin Scorsese’s KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ quirky Dark Comedy POOR THINGS also was successful tonight, nabbing both Best Motion Picture Comedy and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy (Emma Stone). Stone was seen being cheered-on by her dear friends fellow nominee Jennifer Lawrence (up with NO HARD FEELINGS) and Taylor Swift.

Swift was in attendance also for her TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR Concert Film, which was up for Cinematic and Box Office achievement, which went ultimately to BARBIE which went on to gross $1.4 billion globally in its theatrical run. The Comedy starring and produced by Margot Robbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, also won Best Original Song with Billie Eilish‘s “What Was I Made For”.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Allen White – his second consecutive win – and Ayo Edibiri each respectively took home Best Actor and Best Actress for their work in Comedy Series, THE BEAR.

Some Red Carpet moments from tonight:

Complete list of winners here.

(Photo/video credit: Golden Globes/CBS/Variety)

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and this year we celebrate Year of the Dragon! The new year runs February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025. I for one was born in the Year of the Dragon and those born under the sign like the Dragon, are fearless, focussed, powerful and creative. Expect the year ahead to be marked by solutions and innovation.

Some famous Dragons in Hollywood include the likes of Bruce Lee, Rihanna, John Lennon, Martin Luther King Jr., Shakira, Angourie Rice, Ringo Starr, Adele, Sandra Bullock, Colin Farrell, Patrick Stewart, Faye Dunaway, Tom Jones, Andy Warhol, Emma Stone, Chadwick Boseman, Courteney Cox, Keanu Reeves, Alex Trebek, Christian Dior and more. The list goes on and on. The Dragon Club is literally for icons only.

You’d think that being born in the Year of the Dragon is a lucky thing for those born under the sign, but often this comes with obstacles, accidents and some misfortunes. Knowing that, I plan to enter the year with extra caution.

But what does that mean for you? In keeping with tradition, I’ve put together a few of my favourite easy-to-understand Chinese Horoscopes. I hope you find these insightful and fun!

THE CHINESE ZODIAC

This Horoscope gives a breakdown how to maximize good energy with what trinkets, your love life and family – including planning one.

YOUR CHINESE ASTROLOGY

This site cuts right to the chase! Want to know what your Chinese Horoscope is? Just click on your animal sign and find out.

Unsure which sign you are? Find out below:

Rat
1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020 2032

Ox
1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021 2033

Tiger
1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022 2034

Rabbit
1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023 2035

Dragon
1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024 2036

Snake
1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025 2037

Horse
1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026 2038

Sheep
1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027 2039

Monkey
1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028

Rooster
1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029

Dog
1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030

Pig
1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031

Happy Year of the Dragon! Wishing you safe travels, health and prosperity!

Mr. Will & beanie

One of the year’s most gorgeous, glamorous events is just one month away! As you might remember, we had the pleasure of performing at FÊTE CHINOISE last year and the affair is set to ring-in the Lunar New Year!

This year’s Signature Event takes place on February 3, 2024 at Park Hyatt Toronto and on the West Coast on February 17, 2024 at Shangri-La Vancouver.

What is the Fête Chinoise Signature Event?

Capturing tradition in a refreshing light, the annual Fête Chinoise Signature Event stands as the most coveted gathering celebrating Chinese culture in the Canadian community. Showcasing the essence of Chinese culture and heritage through design, music, fashion, and art, the evening provides a wonderful opportunity to meet inspiring personalities and creators, celebrate community achievements, and toast to the promising Year of the Dragon.

Get ready for a wonderland of Chinese arts and culture seen through a contemporary Canadian lens. Together, we move culture forward.

Proceeds will be go to the Chinese Canadian Museum.

Tickets start at $480 CAN and with that you get access to a fabulous Cocktail Party and Showcase. Discount is available for those who are looking to purchase a block of tickets.

Attire: Cocktail/Black Tie.

More here.

Some Snaps from last year’s Signature Event Gala:

(Photo/video credit: Fête Chinoise /Mr. Will Wong)