#FIRSTLOOK: MARVEL AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N.: THE EXPERIENCE AT TORONTO’S YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE

Toronto, are you ever in for a treat! World-travelling and award-winning immersive exhibit Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.: The Experience is arriving sooner than you think! It has just been confirmed after a tease last month that it will run November 20, 2020 until January 31, 2021 at Yorkdale Shopping Centre!

We had the pleasure of previewing the 25,000 square foot space devoted entirely to the fandom of Marvel’s Avengers, but not only this – it gives fans, no matter what age, a coveted chance to experience what it’s like to be a member of the Avengers team! Agents all come in with their own individual personas and their own specialities, so this is really all about you!

Safety is everyone’s top concern right now. Guest Experience Manager Mark Fraser-Davidson tells us, “The Toronto exhibit has been built specifically with COVID-19 in mind”. They have had to get creative in putting together contact-free ways to interact, with frequent sanitation (yes, we saw “Hulk Serum” sanitizer), boosted ventilation and social distancing measures in place. Guests are advised still to practice and observe COVID-19 safety protocols when attending.

The dazzling display contains individual rooms devoted to some of our favourite Avengers including Iron Man (you have an opportunity to transform into him!), Hulk, Captain America, Thor and a Toronto-exclusive in Black Panther, as we commemorate the late Chadwick Boseman. Actual set pieces, models and costumes are enclosed behind glass, and we learned that the latter’s costume is valued at $40k! Even Supervillain Thanos is paid tribute to here with his own section. Actors are present to send us on and guide us through our mission, for an even more heightened experience.

See some of our Snaps from start to finish!

IRON MAN

HULK

CAPTAIN AMERICA

BLACK PANTHER

THOR

MORE COOL STUFF!

We learned that a cap of 40 people will be allowed in every 15 minutes, with a space so large that up to 1,500 people can be accommodated at the exhibit.

Guests have three ticketing options:

General – you must attend at a set time slot.

Flexi – you have a two hour window in which you can enjoy the experience.

VIP – you get increased flexibility with the ability to change your time, with a green screen print of yourself with The Avengers, a VIP Poster and a lanyard.

The Exhibit which can run you between an hour to 90 minutes, also has a retail space with a variety of Avengers merchandise, from figurines to face masks. We learned that clothier Roots and the Exhibit also will collaborate for some special limited edition pieces as well!

It is located directly across from the LEGO store and if you are driving, it is best to park around Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Learn more about Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.: The Experience here.

See what people are saying on the Hashtag #AvengersStationCanada!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mark Fraser–Davidson)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” ON BLU-RAY

We are overjoyed to give our Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of record-shattering AVENGERS: ENDGAME on Blu-ray^TM !

Synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame,” the climactic conclusion to an unprecedented, 11-year cinematic journey in which the Avengers take one final stand against Thanos, delivered the biggest opening weekend in history and is currently one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Fans who bring home “Avengers: Endgame” will gain hours of additional screen time with their favourite cast members and filmmakers who have shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Bonus features include a tribute to the great Stan Lee; the tale of Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man; the evolution of Captain America; Black Widow’s dramatic story arc; directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s experience at the helm of both “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”; the making of an epic battle scene with the women of the MCU; the creation of Bro Thor; deleted scenes; a gag reel and more.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. CLICK “share” from there or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Canadian Readers only, please.

 

Walt Disney Studios Canada release AVENGERS: ENDGAME Tuesday, August 13, 2019 on DVD, 4K and Blu-ray^TM . It arrives on Digital in HD Friday, July 30, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

#BOXOFFICE: “TOY STORY 4” PREVAILS A SECOND WEEK

TOY STORY 4 prevails again a second week at the Box Office, taking $56 million in week two from 4,575 theatres for Disney, taking it to $235 million in a two week run thus far.

ANNEBELLE COMES HOME lands a distant second with $16.4 million in its debut from 3,613 theatres for Warner Bros. Franchise best still belongs to the first Film in the Series, with $37.1 million back in 2014. It gets 69% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

YESTERDAY debuts in third with $15 million from 2,603 theatres for Universal Pictures. The latest from Danny Boyle gets 61% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

ALADDIN is in fourth with $8.8 million, a total $305 million grossed in North American to date for Disney.

AVENGERS:ENDGAME gets a re-release with additional footage, placing in fifth with $6.3 million from 2,025 theatres for Disney.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM rounds-out this Top Ten with $2.5 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films.

 

#BOXOFFICE: “ALADDIN” SOARS THE SKIES IN OPENING

DISNEY’S ALADDIN soars the skies in its debut, taking $84.9 million from 4,476 theatres Memorial Day weekend. By the end of the American long weekend it will be in around $106.5 million. This is Disney’s second-highest Memorial Day opening ever, behind Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, back in 2007. It gets an A CinemaScore and 58% on the Tomatometer.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM lands in second spot after taking too spot last weekend. It still goes strong with $24.2 million this weekend, a two week tally of $106.8 million by end of day Monday for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME places third with $16.6 million, a five-weekn run of $802.8 million in North America for Disney.

BRIGHTBURN opens in fifth with $8 million for Sony Pictures, at 2,607 theatres. It gets 58% on the Tomatometer.

BOOKSMART opens in sixth spot with $7 million from 2,505 theatres for eOne Films/United Artists Releasing. It gets a hearty 97% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

LONG SHOT rounds things out in tenth with $1.6 million in its fourth week for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

#BOXOFFICE: “JOHN WICK 3” DETHRONES “AVENGERS” IN DEBUT

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM terminates the three-week reign of AVENGERS: ENDGAME with a smashing debut this weekend, taking a franchise best of $56.9 million from 3,850 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. This entry bests 2017’s Chapter Two which opened with $30.4 million and gets 88% on the Tomatometer, while audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME in its fourth week out falls to second spot with $27.7 million from 4,220 theatres for Disney/Marvel. Its run comes to $769 million domestically.

POKEMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU lands in third with $23 million for Warner Bros., a total $92.1 million made across North America in two weeks.

A DOG’S JOURNEY opens in fourth with $8.7 million from 3,267 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets 50% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore. This placing is unable to best its 2017 Predecessor A DOG’S PURPOSE which opened with $18.2 million.

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR places  eighth in its first week out with $2.8 million from 2,073 theatres for Warner Bros. Critics give it 50% on the Tomatometer, Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.

UGLYDOLLS rounds out the Top Ten with $1.7 million for STX Entertinament/VVS Films, earning $17 million over three weeks.

#BOXOFFICE: “AVENGERS” HOLDS OFF CHALLENGE FROM “PIKACHU”

For a third straight week, AVENGERS: ENDGAME takes the top spot at the Box Office. This weekend’s take is $70 million from 4,662 theatres, making for $730 million over three weeks for Marvel/Disney.

In second spot is Warner Bros.’ POKÉMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU, will a strong $53 million opening from 4,202 theatres. It gets a passing 64% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

THE HUSTLE debuts in third with $13.5 million for Universal Pictures, playing at 3,007 theatres. It gets 18% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

Landing in fourth is LONG SHOT with $8 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, a total $21.6 million in its second week.

POMS opens in sixth with $6.3 million from 2,750 theatres for STX Entertainment/eOne Films. It gets 30% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

TOLKIEN debuts with $3.7 million from 1,465 theatres for Fox Searchlight. It gets 48% on the Tomatometer.

#BOXOFFICE: “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” EASILY FENDS OFF CHALLENGERS WEEK TWO

AVENGERS: ENDGAME takes it record-smashing success to week two, bringing-in $146.9 million this weekend for Marvel/Disney, from 4,662 theatres in North America.

Far back in second is LONG SHOT which opens to the tune of $10.6 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films from 3,230 theatres. It gets 83% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE INTRUDER debuts in third with $10.5 million from 2,222 theatres for Sony Pictures and 28% on the Tomatometer.

UGLYDOLLS bows in fourth with $9.2 million from 3,652 theatres for STX Entertainment/VVS Films. It gets 36% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

SHAZAM! is in eighth with $2.2 million, a five week total of $135 million for Warner Bros.

DUMBO rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for Disney, a total $109.6 million made over six weeks.

#BOXOFFICE: “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” SHUTS DOWN FRANCHISE IN RECORD-SETTING FASHION

In an historic event, AVENGERS: ENDGAME knocks it way out of the ballpark with a $356 million opening this weekend in its debut at the Box Office! It plays at 4,662 theatres (widest release of all time) for Disney/Marvel and along with those numbers comes great acclaim, as it reaches 96% on the Tomatometer for Critics, while achieving a super-rare A+ CinemaScore. The previous highest opening of all time in North America belonged to 2018’s AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR with a $257.6 million debut and it might a while before we see another Film open to these numbers. In Canada, it sets a record as the highest opening ever for a Film according to Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada, taking-in $28.9 million. Globally, it will hit $1.2 billion+ this weekend.

CAPTAIN MARVEL gets a bit of resurgence, bit still a v. distant second, with $8.3 million from 2,435 theatres for Disney/Marvel also, bringing its run to $413.8 million domestically over eight weeks.

THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA lands in third with $7.8 million for Warner Bros., a two week total of $41.5 million in North America.

BREAKTHROUGH places fourth with $7.2 million it its second week, a total $27 million in two weeks for 20th Century Fox

SHAZAM! is in fifth with $5.6 million, a total $131.2 million for Warner Bros. over four weeks.

PENGUINS rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.1 million, a total $5.7 million grossed for Disney over two weeks.

#SPOTTED: JADE HASSOUNÉ, DOMINIQUE PROVOST-CHALKLEY, FRED VANVLEET, DANNY GREEN, WILL KEMP + MORE AT CANADIAN PREMIERE OF “AVENGERS: ENDGAME”

The purple carpet was rolled out for the Canadian Premiere of AVENGERS: ENDGAME at Scotiabank Centre. The fourth and final film in the Avengers franchise and 22nd film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is projected to smash Box Office records this weekend in its debut, already earning $107 million worldwide before its release. It takes place after the destructive events that take place in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR after Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) snap of a finger which leads to half the living being wiped-out. We see the band of surviving superheroes come together to undo the destruction, including Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper). For the first time ever, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) appears in the Avengers franchise.

This tour-de-force finale from Joe and Anthony Russo would have made Marvel mastermind Stan Lee proud. It runs high on action and emotion and cannot be missed, even if you have missed some installments of the MCU!

 

See the Trailer:

 

What would you have done to be at the World Premiere of #AvengersEndgame? pic.twitter.com/EHs8OcCqCa

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) April 24, 2019

 

While the World Premiere in Los Angeles earlier this week brought out the Cast, including faces of present and past in the MCU, Toronto had some familiar faces come out to support the affair including two Toronto Raptors riding the high of their victory Tuesday night, landing them second in the Eastern Conference, Fred Vanvleet and Danny Green. Wynonna Earp star Dominique Provost-Chalkley who starred in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson, Director Jonathan Wright, Youtube stars Epic Meal Time, Jade Hassouné, star of popular series SHADOWHUNTERS, Holmes and Holmes’ Mike Holmes Jr., Lost Girl star Kris Holden-Ried, American Gods star Devery Jacobs and Will Kemp who is filming Netflix figure skating series SPINNING OUT currently in the City.

 

See some Snaps from the night:

 

Fred VanVleet 

Danny Green 

Jade Hassouné 

Epic Meal Time 

Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) 

Will Kemp x Jonathan Wright
 
Mike Holmes Jr.
 
Kris Holden-Ried

 

Devery Jacobs

 

Dominique Provost-Chalkley

 

Marvel Entertainment Canada release AVENGERS: ENDGAME Friday, April 26, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Marvel Entertainment Canada)

HOW WILL WE GET OUR SUPERHERO FIX AFTER ENDGAME?

This is it. Marvel has released the final trailers for Avengers: Endgame, the final instalment of the current crop of Marvel superheroes. The 182-minute feature will tie up the loose ends of Infinity War and will show how the heroes interact – especially those who have been featured solo since the last Avengers instalment, such as Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. But, once the dust of the final battle has settled and stars such as Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans have hung up their superhero costumes (or green paint in Ruffalo’s case), how can we get our fix of supernatural crime fighting in lycra?

Other Superhero Films
Spider-Man, the Tom Holland version, is set to star in at least another film, so that particular hero will be around for fans to continue to engage with. Meanwhile, Gambit, Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants are also set to be released by Marvel, allowing a different crop of heroes to rise to the fore. It may be blasphemy, but fans can always head over to DC – Wonder Woman’s prequel is set to be released, as is Birds of Prey, a film about DC‘s group of superheroines and Harley Quinn. For some Marvel fans, jumping ship to their rival might seem like sacrilege, but both houses of superhero offer something different enough for most audiences to enjoy equally. So, while people may be mourning the loss of a certain crop of Avengers, established heroes such as Aquaman and Wonder Woman will be keeping the DC fires burning. Plus, the Marvel heroes arguably changed the game for what a superhero movie could be – so we may see a different take on some of the superheroes going forwards.

Superhero Gaming
Superheroes are defined by their speed, agility, and fighting prowess – traits which offer themselves perfectly for gaming. Online slots offer plenty of options for engaging with all kinds of superheroes. The most popular slots in Canada are developed by Microgaming, NetEnt and Play ‘n Go, and they regularly harness the draw of our favorite characters – 60s Batman, The Avengers, Iron Man, Wolverine and Green Lantern – matching it with this form of gaming, which is so popular it accounts for 50% of online gambling globally. Just because some of the heroes in their current incarnations have been retired doesn’t mean their game avatar versions also have to. But this is just one way we can revisit our iconic heroes by the power of games. For instance, the Mortal Kombat boss has announced that they want to develop a Marvel vs DC version of the fighting game, which will see absolutely every character from both franchises together to battle it out.

Avengers: Endgame is likely to be the cinematic event of the year and rightly so. We’ve welcomed these heroes into our lives for a decade and want to see some of them drift away into the sunset happily. But, for diehard fans, fear not – after all, how many versions of Superman and Batman have graced our screens? While we wait for the reboots and spin-offs of our Avengers, there are still plenty of ways to connect with superheroes.