#SPOTTED: BEN PLATT + MENA MASOUD IN TORONTO FOR “RUN THIS TOWN”

TONY and GRAMMY Award Winner Ben Platt is a star on the rise. Originating the titular role in widely-acclaimed and Toronto-bound DEAR EVAN HANSEN on Broadway, he is getting plenty of buzz for his starring role in Writer/Director Ricky Tollman‘s RUN THIS TOWN. He also has starred in the successful PITCH PERFECT Franchise and also THE BOOK OF MORMON.

RUN THIS TOWN stars Damian Lewis (Billions, Homeland) as Rob Ford and also Nina Dobrev and Mena Massoud, the latter who recently wrapped Disney‘s upcoming live-action adaptation of Aladdin in which he stars in the title role.

 

Synopsis:

Run This Town follows a young journalist (Platt), desperate to prove himself, who catches wind of a scandal involving a flashy, unpredictable politician with no filter (Lewis). Political aides (Massoud and Dobrev) attempt to keep their boss in check – and the story under wraps – in order to save their jobs. The Film tells the story of the Millennial generation while spotlighting the power dynamics operating in today’s workplace.

Platt has drummed-up a bit of controversy being targeted with criticism online from some who have mistakened the Film as being a biographical account of Ford‘s life, not crediting the outstanding investigative journalism of Robyn Dolittle. It has been confirmed  that the Film is in fact fictional, set against the backdrop of a Ford-run Toronto.

We spotted Platt after a day of hard work in what is a compressed filming schedule, set to complete in under one month. He was awesome to stop for a Snap, as was Massoud, who just arrived from Los Angeles, greeted by hoards of fans and autograph seekers upon arrival. A hero’s welcome home for the Toronto talent.

 

See our Snaps:

An honour meeting Tony and Grammy Award winner #BenPlatt who now is at work on #RunThisTown. The Film about three young professionals and what it takes and means to succeed in a Millennial world, set against a #RobFord-run #Toronto backdrop. Platt in addition to originating the title role in acclaimed #DearEvanHansen, also has starred in #TheBookofMormon and the popular #PitchPerfect Franchise. People have been quick to form ideas about this Film, which is fictional and not the story of Robyn Dolittle’s amazing journalism. Perhaps one day that Film will be made? The Film is Canadian-written, directed and funded. Let Artists create.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🐇 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 13, 2018 at 5:18am PDT

I think we’re all stoked equally for Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of #Aladdin. Toronto’s own #MenaMassoud who stars in that Film’s titular role, gets a hero’s welcome home greeted by hoards of fans and autograph collectors upon arrival. He stars in #RunThisTown which now is filming in #Toronto till month’s end. Such an amazing guy!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🐇 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 13, 2018 at 5:26am PDT

 

It is believed this Film is targetting a premiere at TIFF ’18 and we need to see this! Elevation Pictures will be handling its release in Canada.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)