After premiering at TIFF ’22 to rousing reception including a second-runner-up placing for the coveted People’s Choice Award, the release of the follow-up to 2019’s KNIVES OUT is before us. Sweeping us away to scenic Greece, this latest installment GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY promises all the style, charm and delight of its predecessor but yet a completely new experience and characters.
While star Daniel Craig who reprises the role of Detective Benoit Blanc once again here, was unwell for today’s international Press Conference, we had the pleasure of hearing Writer/Director Rian Johnson and the Cast speak about this exciting release arriving on Netflix in time for the Holidays. Joining us were:
Rian Johnson talks about the wonderful experience of creating 2019’s KNIVES OUT and the task of creating an equally-brilliant followup.
Johnson: “It was challenging, but also when Daniel and I were making the first one – we were on-set having such a great time. Even if it does moderately well, it will be fun to keep making these. But the mode we were working in, was not to continue the story of the first one, but to treat them like Agatha Christie treated her books. To do an entirely new mystery every time, a new location, a new Rogues’ Gallery of characters. Anyone who really knows her work, knows she really shook it up book to book, it’s not just a change of Whodunit, it was a change of genre and throwing crazy narrative spins that had never been done before. She was really keeping the audience on their toes. Let’s come up wth something truly different and make audiences say, ‘Wow! I’m getting the same pleasure as the first one but I’ve never seen this before!'”.
We learned from the Cast that the first ever table read took place at Daniel Craig‘s house where he greeted the Cast in a salmon-coloured shirt and Espadrilles! Johnson tells us about creating magic through his talented Ensemble.
Johnson: “It’s as simple as getting the best Actors you possibly can get. My head spins when I think we were able to get this group together. There’s also the added element of it’s a little bit like throwing a dinner party. It is an Ensemble, we know we’re going to be on-location together and kind of be stuck together for a while. You’re also trying to cast cool people who are hopefully going to get along and have a good time together.”.
Kate Hudson, who plays former Supermodel-turned Fashion Designer Birdie Jay, tells us about chasing the much-sought-after chance to work with Johnson.
Hudson: “I chased Rian. I was slipped the Script and we knew the part was to be cast. I was like, ‘Get me in the room. Rian said ‘Come and let’s see what you can do with Birdie’, and I did my best and that best seemed to find me here.”.
Kathryn Hahn plays Claire Debella, Governor of Connecticut and equates the experience of working on this Sequel, to being in a theatre ensemble.
Hahn: “It goes back to a sense of egolessness among these humans. We did get to and have to spend every single day really together. It felt like there was a backstage and an onstage. We had these holding areas where we were all together and ate our lunches together for the most part. It felt very much like we were in a theatre ensemble. It did have that kind of grace. Rian was able to find a group of humans who had that – and that is really rare. A group of people who were able to just be there for the thing. And also starting with Daniel who had been through the experience before and was there with such a welcoming generosity of spirit for every single person. There were so many shots where the camera was on one person but I wish you could turn it around to see everyone crowded around for someone’s reaction shot, which was pretty remarkable and hilarious.”.
Leslie Odom Jr. having starred on Broadway’s “Hamilton” is no stranger to working with a tight-knit Ensemble and also speaks highly of the experience working on GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. He stars as Lionel Toussaint, a Scientist who works for Edward Norton‘s Billionaire Miles Bron.
Odom: “This is one of the best Ensembles. It’s really an impossible thing to achieve without leadership. It happens from top-down. You can’t lead from the bottom or middle of all sheet. It’s really Rian, Daniel and Ram making it creative, persmissive and fun.”.
Norton also has fond memories working with the Cast.
Norton: “When someone like Rian calls and says ‘I’m basically gonna run a summer camp for deeply-unserious people, I need people willing to ham it up’ – it was printed in the invite. I do think when you’re with a group of people and it becomes apparent the words ‘repetitive’ and ‘boring’ have never applied to any of them, it’s a lot of fun. I do think the experience of a summer theatre troupe is for a lot of us who came into this from theatre or the idea of being from a repertory company or an Ensemble, it has a special pleasure. It reminds you have your high school drama club for those of us who were dorky enough. There’s a funny irony to making films or doing theatre, it’s a bunch of adults playing dress-up pretending to be other people and it’s amazing how much seriousness we layer over that. When you liberate yourself from any pretention to be doing anything other than entertaining the audience and yourselves, it’s incredibly wonderful. And after a year and half in your pyjamas, it’s especially great.”.
Janelle Monáe dazzles as Cassandra “Andi” Brand, unlike any other role she’s ever played before. Her character is on the outs with her old group of friends and she tells us about preparing for the role.
Monáe: “I am a fan of everybody on this stage. Being able to work with Rian is a dream. I literally told myself if I ever had the opportunity, it’s a ‘yes’. After reading the Script, it was a ‘hell yes!’. This is a character you get to play with. So many layers, so mysterious. It took a lot of focus and there were moments where the Cast was out having a blast after they did their scenes and maybe I was in a corner upset, jealous, mad! No, no, no, I wasn’t! We’re in a murder mystery parties outside of filming a murder mystery and we’re in Greece, what can I complain about? I got an opportunity to grow as an Actor and also gained what I like to say is family.”.
Jessica Henwick stars as Peg, Birdie‘s Assistant and comments on Monáe‘s incredible fashion at said murder mystery parties and dinners.
Henwick: “It was amazing. It was a guaranteed serve. If Janelle was coming to dinner, it was gonna be a look and everyone else was underdressed.”.
Madelyn Cline who plays Whiskey, recalls finding-out she was joining this star-studded Ensemble.
Cline: “I was landing in New York – you know when you get close enough to the ground and everyone’s phone starts pinging, and got a message from Rian, ‘Would you have time for a call?’. I panic. He’s gonna tell me I didn’t get it. So I said, ‘In an hour’ and had to prepare myself. I was huddled in a corner at baggage claim when Rian asked if I wanted to be a part of it. Is that even a question? Of course I do! I proceeded to have best weekend of my life. So cheers to that!”.
The Cast also comment on Craig‘s phenomenal work.
Hudson: “For me, just watching Daniel work was a privilege. He is a consummate professional. He shows-up ready to deliver every line. He honours Rian‘s word. Just to be a part of that and learn from that was really something”.
Hahn: “His Physical Comedy I’m just floored by. His control of his body and how he throws himself into this part physically is something I was so excited to watch. He really is a gamer in that department.”.
The Cast also comment on the fashion and whom they thought had the best costumes in the Film.
Norton: “Definitely Kathryn.”.
Hudson: “That beige rack was solid”.
Norton: “In the wardrobe room, they often have Polaroids of those who have been in before you. I hadn’t met anybody and I looked at the Polaroid wall and thought this Movie is gonna be really funny. I saw Dave Bautista in the crocodile skin bikini and thought there will be at least one good laugh in this Film!”.
Hudson: “Every time Kathryn walked in with a new beige, it was so deeply funny. That is the genius of Rian‘s writing. But Jenny (Eagan) creating each iconic look was so dreamy and the fittings I think for all of us after talking about it so much, when we walked into Jenny‘s fitting, immediately you saw your character come to life, stepping right into the character. Everyone had that and Jenny was a real dream to work with.”.
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY is in select theatres November 23, 2022 and arrives December 23, 2022 on Netflix.
At long last we get an official Trailer for TIFF ’22 selection GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY!
Logline: In the follow up to Rian Johnson’s KNIVES OUT, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects. |
Director: Rian Johnson Writer: Rian Johnson Producers: Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson Executive Producer:Tom Karnowski Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista |
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY is in Select Theaters for One Week Only November 23, 2022
and On Netflix December 23, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
We LOVED KNIVES OUT and are so thrilled a follow-up will be out this Holiday Season! Details have been unpeeled about GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. 🧅
Logline:
In the follow up to Rian Johnson‘s KNIVES OUT, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista
More to come.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of NO TIME TO DIE. The latest in the 007 Franchise will be available on 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD Collector’s Edition.
Synopsis:
NO TIME TO DIE returns Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond alongside OSCAR® winner Rami Malek. Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
NO TIME TO DIE stars Daniel Craig (Spectre, Skyfall), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, “Mr. Robot”), Léa Seydoux (The French Dispatch, Spectre, Blue is the Warmest Color), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Ben Whishaw (Spectre, Cloud Atlas), Naomie Harris (Spectre, Venom), with Jeffrey Wright (Spectre, Broken Flowers), Christoph Waltz (Spectre, Inglourious Basterds), and Ralph Fiennes (Spectre, The Grand Budapest Hotel).
BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD:
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.
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NO TIME TO DIE is available on 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS DECEMBER 21, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see NO TIME TO DIE, the latest in the iconic 007 Franchise.
Screenings take place September 28, 2021 as follows:
Synopsis:
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, with Jeffrey Wright, with Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes as “M”. Also starring Rory Kinnear, Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, and Billy Magnussen
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate under the Post there your City. You also can Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance! You must be following.
Enter for a chance to #win Advance Passes in Toronto and Montreal to see #NoTimeToDie!
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) September 22, 2021
Details are here: https://t.co/RrPX5eseMA pic.twitter.com/BTBEATGjQA
Rules and regulations here.
Universal Pictures Canada release NO TIME TO DIE on October 8, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
Well this will get your heart racing! Check-out the new Trailer for NO TIME TO DIE, the latest in the 007 Franchise.
Synopsis:
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
See the Trailer:
Sony Pictures Canada release NO TIME TO DIE April 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see KNIVES OUT on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 in the following cities:
TORONTO // Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
MONTREAL (ENGLISH) // Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
MONTREAL (FRENCH) // Starcite Montreal
CALGARY // Scotiabank Chinook
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Edmonton
WINNIPEG // Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
HALIFAX // Scotiabank Halifax
SYNOPSIS:
Acclaimed writer and director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie in KNIVES OUT, a fresh, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death. With an all-star ensemble cast including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford and Jaeden Martell, KNIVES OUT is a fun, witty and stylish whodunit guaranteed to keep audiences guessing until the very end.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.
Rules and regulations here.
Mongrel Media release KNIVES OUT Wednesday, November 27, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Popular mystery author Harlan Thrombrey (Christopher Plummer) has died from an apparent suicide. The evidence suggests this is the case, but the police and private investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) feel there is more to it – especially as every family member has a motive for killing him.
I have long been a fan of Writer/Director Rian Johnson and he has delivered another masterwork with this clever inversion of a classic Whodunit story. He is keenly-aware of the conventions of the genre, and alters each one to suit his wildly unique sensibilities. The style and score are absolute perfection as is the sharp editing and absolutely hysterical dialogue. Johnson is very precise with all of his elements here, practically entering the same distinctive pantheon as Wes Anderson with his attention to detail. He stumbles a bit with the convoluted and over-stretched final act, but ensures the Film remains thrilling and enigmatic right up until the very end. And if that were not enough, the all-star Cast is one of the best groups of thespians ever brought together by one film. Every single Cast member has a blast breathing life into these amazing characters, with Craig killing it with another ridiculous accent and Ana de Armas practically stealing the show from everyone.
KNIVES OUT screens during TIFF at the following times:
Saturday September 7, 6:00pm @ Princess of Wales [World Premiere]
Sunday September 8, 11:00am @ Elgin Theatre
The Orchard x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see KINGS starring Daniel Craig and Halle Berry.
Synopsis:
Set against a backdrop of rising tensions in Los Angeles during the Rodney King trial in 1992, writer-director Deniz Gamze Ergüven‘s KINGS, stars Oscar winner Halle Berry and Daniel Craig as citizens of the same South Central neighbourhood.
MILLIE (Halle Berry) is a hardworking, tough and protective single mother with an affection for homeless children. She already has eight children living in her house and will soon bring home another. Her neighbor OBIE (Daniel Craig) is the local loose cannon, and the only white man in an area largely inhabited by African Americans, Latinos, and Koreans. With racial tensions running dangerously high, Millie and Obie would appear to be unlikely allies. Yet following the acquittal of four of the officers accused of beating Rodney King, these two must navigate the gathering chaos in the city to bring Millie‘s kids home safely.
Though KINGS doesn’t focus on the LA riots overall, it does delve into the impact and the fragility of family units during these circumstances. As the current social and political climate begins to mirror the turmoil and tensions of the past, the events depicted in Kings are, sadly, only more resonant today.
Trailer:
Artwork:
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The Orchard release KINGS Friday, April 27, 2018 in Toronto + Montreal.
(Photo/video credit: The Orchard)
TIFF ’17 may be winding down but that certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t any more stars left to spot. While we were so excited about Daniel Craig returning after filming Dream House here a few years back, those hopes were dashed when we received confirmation he no longer would be coming. Academy Award winner Halle Berry however also stars in their new Film KINGS from Mustangs Director Deniz Gamze Ergüven. The Film centers on a family before and after the violent L.A. Riots in 1992 following the Rodney King trial.
Berry looke gorgeous in a shimmery and sheer black dress, her hair like a high ponytail like a Grecian goddess.
See some Snaps of the Cast, Ergüven and Berry tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. Hover left and right to navigate slideshow.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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