It doesn’t get any bigger than this! Dwayne THE ROCK Johnson is set to visit Toronto for the Canadian Premiere of BLACK ADAM this October!

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada announced today that global superstar Dwayne Johnson will visit Toronto this October to celebrate the release of his upcoming DC film, BLACK ADAM. Johnson revealed via a special video message that ‘The Rock will return to Toronto, his home away from home’ later this year to share BLACK ADAM with Canadians in advance of the film’s theatrical release on October 21, 2022.

News of Johnson’s return to Toronto was first shared by FAN EXPO Canada as part of an exclusive partnership to thank and surprise die-hard Canadian pop culture fans that attended this year’s massive convention. Additional details of Johnson’s monumental visit will be revealed in the coming weeks by Warner Bros. Pictures Canada. Fans are encouraged to follow @WarnerBrosCA and @FANEXPOCanada on social media for details on how they can join Dwayne Johnson at this electrifying event.

See the Announcement:

After a two-year break due to the Pandemic, our beloved Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is back! The celebration of the end of Summer is back on for 18 days, ending Labour Day (September 5, 2022) and 1.4 million+ visitors are projected for the run!

We were so thrilled to visit again and can we say it was even more bustling than ever for a Saturday? People have an appetite for fun after having missed The Ex, and also an appetite for fun, inventive foods you just can’t get anywhere else! Even popular local restaurants with actual store fronts use this opportunity to test creative menu items you can’t normally get at their stores.

There is no shortage of amazing food options. As soon as you pass through the iconic Princes’ Gates you are greeted with a long strip of Food Trucks and right now there is the Food Truck Frenzy & Craft Beer Fest (Aug. 25 – 28), with the new Celtic Food Truck Festival (Sept. 1 – 5) next.

Everything we love about The Ex is back. The Midway, the Gondola rides, the Superdogs Show (this year it’s a PAWVENGERS theme), all the vendors! It’s as if we never skipped a beat at all.

New this year, every night above the Food Building after dark, is a show consisting of 100 Drones putting-on a dazzling spectacle.

Get a good idea of it here:

Of course, the big culinary draw this year are Ketchup and Mustard Ice Creams, located on the south side of the BMO Field! The vendor is drawing long queues of curious guests looking to see what the buzz is all about! Check-out our Reel as my BFF Habeyah and I take you through our LET’S GO TO THE EX 2022 Adventure and see our reactions to Ketchup Ice Cream!

There’s still a bit of time to check-out The Ex. Tickets are available here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/The Ex)

Fan Expo Canada is back and bigger than ever! The Pandemic may have held us back for a bit, this edition of Fan Expo is here to remind us all exactly what we’ve missed. Running through August 28, 2022 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this celebration of Fandom unites fans of all genres together under one roof by the hundreds of thousands. And for good reason. The celebrity guest list this year is unreal!

Cast members of The Lord of The Rings, Clerks, Stranger Things, The Boys, Sons of Anarchy all are slated to appear, reniting for panels, photo ops and autograph sessions in the North Building. All for the fans! Photo Ops for Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn who plays Eddie Munson on the popular Series, sold-out rather quickly and he certainly was the hot ticket this year. You cannot miss the Hall of Horrors where you can sit and listen to panels from your favourite name in Horror, and also and Tattoo Alley where you can get tatted!

Above this, there are so many cool activations to be seen including set-ups in the South Building by the likes of Bandai Namco, Studio Ghibli, Genshin Impact, Bell Esports Challenge, Nintendo Switch, TikTok, WhatNot and more! There are photos to be taken, prizes to be won and things to take home! And don’t forget to visit Artist Alley for a chance to meet and get commissioned pieces by some of your favourites. So many cool vendors and hard-to-find items throughout!

Check out my Highlight Reel. You cannot miss this and here’s why!

Tina Chan is a special contributor for us this year and here’s some highlights from the most buzzed Panels of Fan Expo Canada 2022!

GRACE VAN DIEN

The Stranger Things star revealed at her Panel that she officially came-out as Queer when she was 20 after being asked on a date and realizing that she had the power to say “yes”, and learned to accept her sexuality. When asked about whether or not she sees herself as an extrovert, she told the audience that she actually thinks she’s anti-social.

On what won her the coveted role of Chrissy Cunningham on the Series, the daughter of Actor Casper Van Dien says, “The Duffer Brothers said I was the only one who played Chrissy sweet. Everyone else played her mean in their auditions”.

Fun Fact: Van Dien revealed that she idolizes Paul Newman. Her favourite Movie is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. 

MATTHEW LEWIS

The Harry Potter star who unfortunately had to cancel last year, was able to make it to the City for Fan Expo Canada 2022. Lewis tells fans at his Panel that getting into the role of Neville Longbottom wasn’t too tough as he truly related to him saying, “I got it cause I went through it”.

Reflecting on his childhood as an Actor, he spoke of it as being relatively normal. “When we were off set, we were in school together. We got to have a relatively normal childhood and knew we were all in same boat together. We had each other to lean on.”.

ANTHONY DANIELS

The Star Wars Actor known best for playing C-3PO has the unique distinction of having starred in all nine Star Wars films. Daniels tells fans at his Panel that during the first ever Star Wars Film, “I’d been rehearsing in the studio for six months while they made the costume. I felt special and I felt like a star the first time I put the costume on.”.

Fun Facts: C-3PO’s microphone is actually wired towards his butt. And his favourite of all Star Wars films would be Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

MICHAEL ROOKER

The Guardians of the Galaxy star who plays Yondu has an obsession with Wunderbars and was “wundering” if these were a Canadian thing. He also vows to try everything Canadian this weekend and at his Panel tried Canadian Smarties, Wunderbar, Aero and Kit Kat. Rooker definitely wasn’t impressed by Coffee Crisp, describing them as “Kind of hard and dry, and it doesn’t taste like coffee at all!”.

JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER

This Stranger Things star certainly is no “stranger” to Toronto having filmed The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones here. Campbell Bower who plays Vecna on the Series, professed “I love my job and I’m a fucking nerd!”. On how lucky he is to have landed this role, he says humbly “It could’ve been anyone and the writing is exactly the thing that made the Show”. He also describes the several hours a day in costume/make-up as being “very intense”. He adds, “I would find myself crying in the middle of the night saying ‘Papa please, Papa please….”.

Fun Fact: If Vecna were to order something at Starbucks, it would be, per Campbell Bower, “A venti Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew with extra foam”!

Sharing some of our own Snaps! One of our favourite events of the year, every year!

Also, some amazing Cosplay for you to enjoy!

Fan Expo Toronto Cosplayers always show-up!

It’s not too late to get tickets still for Fan Expo Canada 2022! More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Tina Chan)

THE INVITATION comes out of nowhere to take the top spot at the Box Office in its opening weekend on a quiet weekend. The Horror from Sony Pictures takes $7 million from 3,114 theatres and gets 29% on the Tomatometer.

In second this weekend is BULLET TRAIN with $5.5 million from 3,513 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $78 million in its fourth weekend out.

Third is TOP GUN: MAVERICK with $4.9 million from 2,962 theatres for Paramount Pictures. This brings its total to $691 million domestically.

DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPER HERO is in fourth this weekend after a debut in top spot for Crunchyroll with $4.8 million, a total $31 million over two weekends.

BEAST rounds-out our Top Five with $4.3 million for Universal Pictures, a tally of $19.5 million in its second weekend.

After having gained great popularity over the Pandemic with its take-out options, SUNNYS CHINESE just opened a week ago in Kensington Market as an actual dine-in restaurant. Its sister restaurant, MIMI CHINESE already is seeing its reservations calendar booked up for months ahead and this latest celebrated entry into Toronto’s booming food scene looks also to be on its way to success.

It’s hard to believe Chef and Co-Owner David Schwartz just turned 30-years-old and already has stamped himself as the City’s most buzzed new culinary figure. He grew-up eating a lot of Cantonese cuisine, thanks to his adventurous parents and dining at Pearl Restaurant on the Harbourfront was a weekly ritual for his family, with memories bonding over food as his mother fell ill, a tradition that continued even after she passed.

The ambient spot is situated near the back of an unsuspecting mall at 60 Kensington Avenue in Kensington Market, combines nostalgia and a modern sensibility. Schwartz explores regional Chinese fare and even cut his teeth in his work and travels throughout Southeast Asia, understanding flavours of the different locales. So you’ll find lots of chilies and intense flavours through his deep understanding of the cuisines and his commitment to authenticity of the regions. Dishes are prepared with love, constructed and curated thoughtfully, making it little wonder why Toronto’s diners are responding enthusiastically. This is Chinese food like you’ve never had it. Cocktails are sophisticated and bold. The Desserts – only two options – are incredible.

See a real of highlights from our phenomenal meal at Sunnys Chinese.

More on SUNNYS CHINESE here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

GAYLE is back delivering the magic. We’ve seen her live and she’s definitely got it. The abcdefu Hitmaker’s latest single slows it down abit with “god has a sense of humor”, which really showcases her amazing voice and songwriting. The song touches upon her youth and realizing for the first time that life brings pain and complication.

Check it out below:

a study of the human experience volume two is out October 7, 2022 via Warner Music Canada. Pre-save here: https://asothe-v2.gayleofficial.com/

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

Paramount Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a TOP GUN: MAVERICK Prize Pack in celebration of its Digital release! The winner will get:

The TOP GUN: MAVERICK Digital release takes fans deep inside the making of the global smash hit with over 110 minutes of action-packed bonus content.  Witness the cast’s intense flight training program, go behind-the-scenes as the filmmakers capture the most spectacular aerial sequences ever, and push the limits beyond Mach-10 with an experimental aircraft specially designed for the movie.  Plus, Tom Cruise shares his passion for aviation as he pilots his own aircraft and discusses his incredible career at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.  Finally, enjoy two music videos from Lady Gaga and OneRepublic.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK Digital* Bonus Content

• Cleared For Take Off – Witness the most intense film training program as the cast prepare themselves for filming while pulling multiple G’s in a fighter plane.

• Breaking New Ground – Filming Top Gun: Maverick—Prepare to take flight as you go behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew of Top Gun: Maverick on a journey to capture the most spectacular aerial sequences ever!

• A Love Letter To Aviation – Tom Cruise shares his passion for aviation as he pilots his own aircraft, a vintage World War II P-51 Mustang, which would have been the Top Gun aircraft of its day.

• Forging The Darkstar – Pushing the limits beyond Mach-10, the future of aviation is unveiled through an impressive experimental aircraft specially designed for the movie.

• Masterclass with Tom Cruise – Cannes Film Festival—Tom Cruise discusses his incredible career at the flagship event of the 75th Cannes Film Festival.

• “Hold My Hand” – Lady Gaga Music Video – Watch Lady Gaga’s music video for her standout lead single hit on the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack.

• “I Ain’t Worried” – OneRepublic Music Video – Check out the music video to the original new song from OneRepublic.

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Teaser Trailer – We all share the same fate. Watch the official teaser trailer for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One starring Tom Cruise. Coming to theatres 2023.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

NOTE: Winners will be contacted directly via our official Facebook Page. Do not accept third-party messages trying to collect your personal information. You must be following to qualify.

With Top Gun: Maverick star Monica Barbarro!

TOP GUN: MAVERICK is available digitally now and on DVD/Blu-ray/4k on November 1, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Additional Honourees have been announced for this year’s TIFF TRIBUTE GALA at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that Academy Award®–winning Icelandic artist and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir will be honoured with the Variety Artisan Award, and that Award-winning Welsh Egyptian filmmaker and screenwriter Sally El Hosaini will be honoured with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM at the annual TIFF Tribute Awards. Now in its fourth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards presented by BVLGARI will return to an in-person gala fundraiser during the 47th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 11 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Guðnadóttir composed the score for Sarah Polley’s highly anticipated film Women Talking, a fearless adaptation of Miriam Toews’ acclaimed novel set in 2010 rural America, where the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith, starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand. Women Talking from MGM’s Orion Pictures will have its International Premiere at the Festival on September 13 and is distributed by Universal Canada. Writer-director El Hosaini’s The Swimmers, which dramatizes the true story of two sisters who left their home in war-torn Syria for a new life in Europe and the chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics, co-written by multi-award-winner Jack Thorne, will have its World Premiere as the Opening Night Gala Presentation on September 8.

“Both Hildur Guðnadóttir and Sally El Hosaini are singular artists who continue to expand the horizons of their disciplines,” said Bailey. “We’re proud to present TIFF Tribute Awards to Guðnadóttir for her remarkable score for Sarah Polley’s Women Talking, and El Hosaini for directing one of the most urgent, moving films of the year in The Swimmers.”

The TIFF Variety Artisan Award recognizes a distinguished creative who has excelled at their craft and made an outstanding contribution to cinema and entertainment. Previous recipients of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award include Ari Wegner in 2021; Terence Blanchard in 2020; and Roger Deakins in 2019.  

“Variety is honoured to be presenting Hildur Guðnadóttir with our annual Artisan Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards,” said Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh. “We are looking forward to returning to an in-person awards programme at one of the most important festivals in the world. Highlighting Hildur’s work is a testament to Variety’s commitment to celebrating artisans.”

The TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM, is presented in the spirit of Torontonian Mary Pickford, the groundbreaking actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists, whose impact continues today. Previous recipients of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award include Danis Goulet in 2021; Tracey Deer in 2020; and Mati Diop in 2019. 

“MGM is thrilled to join TIFF in honouring Sally El Hosaini with the 2022 TIFF Emerging Talent Award and championing this harrowing story,” said Chris Brearton, MGM’s Chief Operation Officer. 

Guðnadóttir and El Hosaini join the recently-announced list of 2022 TIFF Tribute Award honourees, including Brendan Fraser, who will receive the ​​TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by IMDbPro; Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Sam Mendes, who will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award; and the ensemble of My Policeman, who will receive the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by Polestar. Stay tuned for more information on the 2022 TIFF Tribute Awards event and honouree announcements.

The TIFF Tribute Awards have served as an awards-season bellwether, with past honourees such as Jessica Chastain, Roger Deakins, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joaquin Phoenix, Taika Waititi, and Chloé Zhao going on to win awards on the international stage. 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 Awards event also serves as TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser to support TIFF’s Every Story fund, which promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in film and TIFF’s core mission to transform the way people see the world through film. 

Great news, DC fans! Exclusively for those going to Fan Expo this weekend in Toronto, there will be a Metrolinx Booth where you can get a limited edition DC Superhero Presto Card! The limited quanity collection is a new collaboration between Metrolinx, FAN EXPO Canada, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC. 

Additional details below:

• 5,000 limited-edition cards are available at the Metrolinx booth at FAN EXPO Canada (while supplies last). 
• Each costs $35 (plus tax). 
• Five different options available, each representing a fan-favourite DC character. Options include Superman, Wonder Woman, The Joker and two designs featuring Batman.

More information here.

(Photo credit: Metrolinx)

Documentary ETERNAL SPRING (長春) has been announced as Canada’s official entry for BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE at next year’s Academy Awards.

The Film by Director, Writer and Producer Jason Loftus, is representing Canada in the nomination process for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, to be held on March 12, 2023. The film is produced by Lofty Sky Entertainment and the international sales agent is Sideways Film.  

“It is with great enthusiasm that we announce that Eternal Spring (長春) was selected from among 16 films submitted to the pan-Canadian selection committee for having the best chance of positioning itself well in the multi-stage Oscar race,” said Christa Dickenson, Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada. “This venture represents an exceptional opportunity for Eternal Spring (長春) to reach new audiences and offers a golden opportunity to showcase the high quality of Canadian filmmaking. That is why Telefilm will be supporting the film team in this prestigious competition and we wish them the best of luck.” .

More here on the Film.

(Photo credit: Lofty Sky Entertainment)