Following the record-breaking success as the highest R-rated opening ever, the celebrations came home to where IT all began last night in Toronto. In addition to a special Cast & Crew screening at Scotiabank Theatre, fans also got a chance to see follow-up IT: CHAPTER TWO first!

Director/Writer Andy Muschietti and his sister, Producer Barbara Muschietti made a visit to the City to promote the highly-anticipated Stephen King adaptation. Cineplex’s Tanner Zipchen chat with the two in a Q&A preceding the Screening and talk about navigating the Film especially filming flashbacks with the child cast who have grown since the first installment. They also are asked about what it is like to work with your sibling!

Some clips from the Chat:

Some of our Snaps:

Fans can expect the same emotion that the first film landed on as well as the message of facing your fears head-on, as well as some fantastic performances especially by funnyman Bill Hader who is the heart and soul of the Film. And of course, the scares! Review coming soon.

Warner Bros. Canada release IT: CHAPTER TWO Wednesday, September 6, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

As soon as you walk into the Amazon Prime‘s Carnival Row pop-up at Yonge-Dundas Square, filled with the sounds of Classical and Opera, you are handed a card that tells you if you are human or creature. As the actors walk around they notice what card you are holding and talk to you accordingly. Which gives the feeling like you are really in this fictional world.

As you walk around the event, there are different shopping stations from the show and actors that interact with guests. Asking what they would like to buy at their shop. There is also a station at its center that has a stage and mic stand and a creature goes off and on singing to the crowd. There is more fun to be had with a station to put on your own creature wings!

After screening Carnival Row, I can say the Fantasy genre is used interestingly to touch upon themes of refugee scenarios and immigration. Delevingne and Bloom deliver solid performances and while we only get to see them in one scene together, but their chemistry is great. Steam Punk fans will be delighted.

Synopsis:
Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Cara Delevingne (Suicide Squad) star in Carnival Row, a series set in a Victorian fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures whose exotic homelands were invaded by the empires of man. This growing population struggles to coexist with humans — forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human detective, Rycroft Philostrate (Bloom), and a refugee faerie named Vignette Stonemoss (Delevingne) rekindle a dangerous affair despite an increasingly intolerant society. Vignette harbors a secret that endangers Philo’s world during his most important case yet: a string of gruesome murders threatening the uneasy peace of the Row.

See some Snaps from the Pop-Up:

See the Trailer:

CARNIVAL ROW streams on Amazon Prime beginning Labour Day weekend.

(Photo/video credit:  Amazon Prime/Amanda Gilmore)

Attention, MEN IN BLACK fans! In celebration of MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL‘s release on Home Entertainment, be ready to grab a delicious treat!

On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, visit Toronto’s famous Black Charcoal Ice Cream purveyor, iHalo Krunch’s Queen Street West location at 1:00pm and will go until supplies last. All are welcome to participate, but only the first 100 fans to arrive at iHalo Krunch are eligible to receive a free cone. After the first 100 cones are distributed, iHalo Krunch will continue to distribute free ice cream throughout the day, in the form of cups, to Men in Black fans who arrive.

More details:

So get your best Men in Black look on!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

We can’t get enough Timothée! Check-out this new Teaser for THE KING!

Synopsis:
Hal (Timothée Chalamet), wayward prince and reluctant heir to the English throne, has turned his back on royal life and is living among the people. But when his tyrannical father dies, Hal is crowned King Henry V and is forced to embrace the life he had previously tried to escape. Now the young king must navigate the palace politics, chaos and war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life — including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the ageing alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton). Directed by David Michôd and co-written by Michôd and Edgerton, THE KING co-stars Sean Harris, Ben Mendelsohn, Robert Pattinson, and Lily-Rose Depp.

See the Trailer:

THE KING streams on Netflix this Fall.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Oh boy, it’s a big year indeed. After much waiting and speculations, TIFF didn’t disappoint and released their list of who’s coming to TIFF ’19. Keep in mind this is subject to change at any time!

For more on the titles coming to the Festival and what’s been announced to date, click here.

Happy stargazing!

(Photo credit: TIFF)

Hot off Disney‘s D23 Expo, here’s a fresh look at STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to enjoy!

Synopsis:
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Billy Dee Williams.

See the Sneak Peek:

Walt Disney Studios Canada release STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Friday, December 19, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

It was a star-studded weekend indeed in Toronto and adding further to it all were a couple stars we spotted returning back to the City to work! Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin) stars in Netflix Thriller AWAKE. The Series centers around a global event which wipes out all electronics, leading to people not being able to sleep and the chaos that results from this. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barry Pepper, Shamier Anderson and Gil Bellows also star, and the Product wraps end of September. We’ve always remembered Rodriguez to be incredibly-kind in our travels to New York seeing her there and also back here when she came to TIFF with Deepwater Horizon! And newsflash! She hasn’t changed.

We love Elizabeth Banks so much and were so surprised to see her back in town to work on F/X Mini-Series MRS. AMERICA, directed by Cate Blanchett. The Series documents an Activist’s fight against the Equal Rights Movement and boasts an incredible Cast led by Blanchett, also starring Tracey Ullman, John Slattery, James Marsden, Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Uzo Aduba and several more, including Banks. We are so stoked to see Banks’ take on Charlie’s Angels (out November), which she helmed. She also continues to be an amazing Horse Racing ambassador and we hope to see her at the Breeders’ Cup this Fall if she’s done work on Mrs. America! We are so delighted to hear she loved going to Saratoga as a kid. And we just returned from our first trip there a couple weeks ago!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera + Mr. Will Wong

Signalling the end of Summer, Fan Expo Canada returned to Metro Convention Centre once again this past weekend, converging the worlds of Sci-Fi, Anime, Horror, Gaming, Comics and Cosplay together into one giant celebration. Fan Expo Canada celebrated its 25th year anniversary and they did it bigger and better than ever with several notable guests in attendance including John Travolta, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Levi, Karl Urban, Peter Capaldi, Brendan Fraser and more!

Highly-touted Cast reunions highlighted the affair including that of Saved by the Bell, Smallville, Blade Runner, The Goonies and more. The likes of Pamela Anderson, David Harbour, Kristen Kreuk, Jason Momoa also were slated but had other commitments preventing them from making it.

Fans found themselves with many events, panels, photo ops, autograph signings, screenings, panels and even LGBTQ+-inclusive matchmaking events to attend all the way through Fan Expo Sunday wherein previous years, Saturday normally is the busiest day.

The event brought-in an estimated 129,000+ people from around the world.

Some Highlights from Fan Expo Canada 2019:

COSPLAY

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT EXHIBIT

In addition to rate pieces from Star Wars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and more, a huge draw at the Exhibit was a travelling, growing ball made from the hair of 600+ people around the world!

SAVED BY THE BELL Panel with Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar x Mario Lopez

Stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley talk about their time on the 90s morning TV staple. They reveal while Berkley was filming a certain “Las Vegas movie”, the Cast were watching the O.J. Simpson chase while filming their own Vegas movie. Berkley and Lopez admitted they were nice to Dustin Diamond, Gosselaar not so much! Berkley says she had the most fun filming the Series’s fantasy sequences.

So awesome hearing them do the Show’s signature Bayside cheer!

JEFF GOLDBLUM

The screen veteran known for his work in the Jurassic Park franchise, returns to the City he filmed The Fly! He reveals he spent seven hours in makeup a day, that his wife, Olympian Emilie Livingston is from here too! His new Disney+ series The World According to Jeff Goldblum, premieres November.

And he reveals his new Album on Decca will feature surprise vocalists! He even had the room singing “O Canada“! 🇨🇦

TEEN TITANS GO Panel with Tara Strong x Greg Cipes

The two Voice Actors joked around and Cipes brought his dog Wingman with him to the Panel and the dog stole the show, drinking out of Strong‘s water cup.

When asked what their advice is for their young fans, Strong said to “Choose kindness.”. Cipes said “Never give up on everything you ever wanted.”.

Strong advises also it is important for voice actors to have an acting background and admits she is very “physical” behind the mic.

Cipes cites Robin Williams as his biggest influence.

BLADE RUNNER – Sean Young x Edward James Olmos

Young made some candid revelations from her experience in Hollywood,  telling the audience “Never make a Director feel bad for hitting on you”.

On recent reboot Blade Runner 2041, she admits “At 2 hours and 51 minutes, I thought it was much weaker than the original.”.

On working with Sir Ridley Scott, she says “He made me smoke cigarettes to lower my voice. He was very manipulative towards the ladies.”.

Olmos admits, “At the time he (Harrison Ford) was first announced, I thought he was miscast. All I thought was Han Solo.”.

ZACHARY LEVI

Levi, unlike others, didn’t require a Moderator and Morgan Hoffman obliged kindly. He stood-up his entire Panel even, fielding fan questions directly.

One fan got to do a magic trick, one got to sing a song from Disney‘s Tangled with him even!

He imparted a bit of inspiration, telling fans, “We all are worthy of occupying space in this world.”.

On Toronto-made Box Office and critical hit Shazam!, he admits the most fun thing for him was getting to act like a 14-year-old. He says also, “The weather was cold but the costume did not keep me warm.”.

JOHN TRAVOLTA

The screen icon talked about his new film THE FANATIC and how much he loves when fans talk to him. He  two also reveals  that two fans broke into his house with the intention of only meeting him. There was no ill will.

He admits he never thought Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction would ever become as popular as they had. He always believed Grease was going to be huge and said he was the one that only wanted Olivia Newton-John as Sandy.

THE GOONIES Panel – Sean Astin, Corey Feldman x Ke Huy Quan

Feldman tells fans about his affinity for our country, “I love Canadians so much, I married one!”. He is referring to wife, model Courtney Anne Mitchell.

On the famous water slide seen in the Film, he states “We only got to go down the water slide twice. It was the stunt doubles who did the rest!”.

BRENDAN FRASER

The star of Encino Man and The Mummy arrived straight from Johannesburg where he is filming currently. He asks the audience if they want another Mummy movie and they gave him a resounding cheer!

He advises Universal Pictures that the key ingredient is fun when making these movies. He currently can be seen in popular series DOOM PATROL.

Other notables:

Jack Quaid, star of Amazon Prime‘s THE BOYS

For more on FAN EXPO CANADA, visit here.

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

Disney held their annual D23 Expo in Anaheim, California today and several announcements were made and unveiled including some exciting casting additions to Marvel’s The Eternals. The Cast of FROZEN 2 even did a performance!

Check-out some of the highlights!

LUCASFILM

President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams showcased the riveting conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Kennedy and Abrams revved up the audience, introducing nine stars from the film—many of whom marked this as their first D23 Expo appearance: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Billy Dee Williams, plus special appearances from R2-D2, BB-8 and the new droid D-O. A brand-new poster was revealed—and gifted to the entire audience. And all were given a look back at the incredible legacy of Star Wars storytelling and treated to a sneak peek of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which opens in theatres on Dec. 19, 2019.

MARVEL STUDIOS

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, kicked off his presentation with a surprise visit from “Black Panther” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Together, they revealed that “Black Panther 2” (working title) will hit theatres on May 6, 2022.

Feige segued to next year’s “The Eternals,” inviting cast members from the much-anticipated film to the stage: Richard Madden, who portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani, who plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff, who portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek, who plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh, who portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee, who plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie, who stars as the fierce warrior Thena. Feige revealed concept art images of each character, and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event. Directed by Chloé Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film “The Rider,” “The Eternals” opens in theatres on Nov. 6, 2020.

Feige concluded with “Black Widow,” the Cate Shortland-directed first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which hits theatres on May 1, 2020. Feige shared a pre-recorded greeting featuring stars Scarlett Johansson, who reprises her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; David Harbour, who was cast as Alexei the Red Guardian; and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. The audience was also treated to an exclusive look at the upcoming film.

DISNEY LIVE ACTION

Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, took the audience through upcoming releases for the studio, including next summer’s “Jungle Cruise,” a rousing adventure inspired by the classic theme-park attraction. Star Dwayne Johnson, who plays riverboat captain Frank Wolff, entered Hall D23 aboard an original Jungle Cruise boat, introducing a “trailer” that showed off his character—so much so, that co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Dr. Lily Houghton, arrived via classic car to share with fans her own “trailer,” offering a different perspective—Bailey laughingly informed Johnson and Blunt that neither trailer was official. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” hits theatres on July 24, 2020.

Bailey welcomed Angelina Jolie back to the stage to present exclusive footage and details about Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” the exciting follow-up to the hit 2014 film. Maleficent, portrayed by Jolie, and her goddaughter Aurora, played by Elle Fanning, begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies and new dark forces at play. Aurora’s imminent marriage to Prince Phillip is cause for celebration—however, Prince Phillip’s mother, Queen Ingrith, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, challenges Maleficent’s role as Aurora’s mother figure. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Connal, one of the leaders of the dark fey who becomes Maleficent’s ally. Ejiofor, Pfeiffer and Fanning were all welcomed to the stage by an enthusiastic audience. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who co-helmed 2017’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” arrives in theatres on Oct. 17, 2019.

Bailey next introduced acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro, director of “Mulan,” the upcoming live-action reimagining of the 1998 classic animated film. Caro expressed to fans her passion for the project, sharing several minutes of footage from the epic adventure inspired by one of China’s fiercest warriors. In Disney’s “Mulan,” which opens in theatres on March 27, 2020, the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders. So, the eldest daughter of an honored but ailing warrior masquerades as a man, transforming into a heroic warrior to ultimately earn her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.

Next up, Bailey shared details about “Cruella,” an all-new feature film starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. Stone, who plays the iconic “Cruella,” sent D23 Expo fans a greeting from the London-based set with help from a spotted, four-legged co-star. Fans also got a glimpse of an image of Stone in full costume with Cruella’s signature black-and-white hair. Director Craig Gillespie, who helmed “I, Tonya” and “The Finest Hours,” brings “Cruella” to the big screen on May 28, 2021, with a fresh, 1970s, punk-rock approach.

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS

Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter guided the audience through Pixar’s upcoming film slate of originals. Docter began with next summer’s release, “Soul,” which he directs. The film journeys from the streets of New York City to the never-before-seen cosmic realms and “The You Seminar,” the fantastical place where we all discover our unique personalities. Producer Dana Murray, co-director/writer Kemp Powers and writer Mike Jones joined Docter on stage, and together they set up the film for the audience and shared a sneak peek. The team revealed members of the voice cast who joined them on stage, including Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx. Foxx lends his voice to Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Fey plays 22, a soul-in-training who has an unexpected encounter with Joe when he accidentally finds his way to the “You Seminar.” Together, the two are going to find a way to get Joe back to Earth, making him think again about what it truly means to have soul. Filmmakers also revealed that globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar®-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network”), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds. Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” opens in theatres on June 19, 2020.

Docter next introduced director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae, who shared details and more than ten minutes of exclusive footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature film “Onward.” The movie, which opens in theatres on March 6, 2020, stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. Set in a modern fantasy world, Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” is inspired by Scanlon’s personal experiences with his brother. Holland, Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus—who voices Mom in the movie—joined the filmmakers on stage—much to the delight of the audience, who all received an exclusive “Onward” poster.

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee presented an overview of the studio’s next two features, beginning with the Thanksgiving 2020 fantasy-action-adventure, “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Directors Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins (“Big Hero 6,” “Frozen”), producer Osnat Shurer (“Moana”) and writer Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”) joined Lee on stage to set up the film, which introduces Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. The D23 Expo crowd was the first to get a look at the new film, viewing an exclusive three-minute piece. They also met two newly announced members of the voice cast: Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the Last Dragon, who was left on Earth in case dark forces return to the world, and Cassie Steele voices the lead character, Raya. Exploring themes of community and hope, and inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, the fantasy-action-adventure “Raya and the Last Dragon” opens in theatres on Nov. 25, 2020.

Lee, who directs “Frozen 2” with Chris Buck, and wrote the screenplay, invited Buck to join her on stage as the Oscar®-winning duo revealed new details about the upcoming film, which opens in theatres on Nov. 21. Lee and Buck introduced two new “Frozen 2” cast members: Sterling K. Brown, who voices Lieutenant Destin Mattias, and Evan Rachel Wood, who voices Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsa’s mother. The crowd—who received an exclusive D23 Expo “Frozen 2” poster—saw never-before-seen footage of the new characters, including a scene that featured Wood as Iduna singing to young Elsa and Anna. The song, “All Is Found,” is one of seven all-new original songs by Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The audience also saw a sequence from the movie that showcased Elsa’s yearning for answers about the past, culminating in another song, “Into the Unknown.” And a climactic performance of the song “Some Things Never Change” by Menzel, Bell, Groff and Gad brought the audience to its feet, capping off the studio presentation in extraordinary style.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

ANGEL HAS FALLEN rises to the top in its debut taking-in $20 million from 3,286 North American theatres for Lionsgate Films/VVS Films. It gets 40% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore. While the Gerard Butler-fronted Franchise accomplishes its first #1 debut, it’s best opening still goes to first film, 2013’s Olympus Has Fallen with $30.3 million.

GOOD BOYS slips to second spot with $10.3 million week two for Universal Pictures, a two-week total of $40.6 million domestically.

Faith film OVERCOMER opens in third with $7.3 million for Sony Pictures from 1,723 theatres. It gets 33% on the Tomatometer and an A+ CinemaScore from audiences.

Toronto-made READY OR NOT debuts in sixth with $6.6 million from 2,855 theatres for Fox Searchlight. It garners an impressive 87% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK with $4.4 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.