After earning over $700 million worldwide, 2017’s IT became one of the highest-grossing Horror movies of all time. Production on IT: CHAPTER 2 began a week ago in and around Toronto just like its Predecessor, including overnight shoots at Mandarin Restaurant in Mississauga, before moving back to its base at Pinewood Studios.
While the Film is expected to remain faithful to Stephen King‘s source material and the original 1990 TV Movie, surely returning Director Andy Muschietti will have a few a scares up his sleeve for us! It: Chapter 2 films through October and we can expect to see the clouded clown return to torment the Loser’s Club, now grown-up 27 years later, bringing them back to the cursed town of Derry.
The original cast of kids, most who have been in Toronto briefly these past couple weeks, will reprise their roles in this upcoming installment and in this Film will be seeing their adult versions:
Beverly … Jessica Chastain
Bill … James McAvoy
Stanley … Andy Bean
Richie … Bill Hader
Ben … Jay Ryan
Eddie …James Ransone
Mike … Isaiah Mustafa
Bill Skarsgård who was terrifying as Pennywise the Clown, also returns.
It – pardon the pun – was an amazing weekend and we caught wind they were in Yorkville for a night of relaxation after an overnight shoot the night prior. They were recreating this iconic scene in which Pennywise gives the Losers’ Club an ominous message after reuniting at a Chinese restaurant:
Chastain, McAvoy, Hader, Mustafa, Ransone, Ryan, Muschietti and his sister Bárbara, a Producer on the Film, plus friends thankfully had a far less mortifying meal at upscale Japanese it-spot Kasa Moto followed by libations at Amber and late-night Karaoke. Will Arnett, Vinay Virmani and more also were spotted out in the vicinity, giving Yorkville back a bit of its past starpowered lustre.
See our Snaps! I am luckiest guy in the world!!
Chastain, McAvoy, Muschietti, Ryan
Chastain, Bárbara Muschietti (Producer), Ransone
Mustafa
Muschietti
Hader
Ransone
While we’ve met Chastain a dozen-plus times in our travels and Film Festival romps, this was the most memorable meeting yet! She is the kindest, most giving actor in Hollywood today and hasn’t changed since her meteoric rise. Basically, we don’t deserve her! We’re just happy to see her thriving, having fun and that her peers love and respect her as much as we do!
We admit we still are horrified after seeing IT last fall. Every rustle of the leaves to every time Pennywise surfaced and flashed his teeth shook us to the core. Oddly, it was equally emotional too as I’m sure many were affected by the fact that the Losers’ Club were outcasts just like us, with very real problems of their own whether it be Beverly and her abusive father or Bill grieving the painful loss of his little brother.
We are beyond thrilled about seeing the 2019 follow-up, slated for a post-Labour Day release just like the first chapter.
Are you ready to float, Losers?
🤡🎈
(Photo credit: Warner Bros./Mr. Will Wong)
14-year-old Jack Dylan Grazer’s profile continues to rise rapidly. He shot to stardom with the massive success of last Fall’s Toronto-filmed Horror IT in which he played the vulnerable Eddie. He is back in the City again for DC COMICS’ SHAZAM which has him starring as Freddy Freeman alongside fellow teen star Asher Angel and Zachary Levi. Grazer, a nephew of Producer Brian, also can be seen in Sitcom ME, MYSELF AND I.
Grazer was just in Austin this weekend speaking at a sold-out event for The Adderley School which gave him his foundation in acting.
We are thrilled we got to meet Grazer. He was a perfect gentleman turning off his Music to greet Fans and was amazing to stop for Selfies!
See our Snap!
Shazam wraps in May and hits theatres April 2019.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
In a Horror-filled October Box Office, it only is fitting that JIGSAW takes the top spot pre-Halloween weekend with $17.4 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films from 2,941 theates. It gets 37% on the Tomatometer with a B CinemaScore. The Saw Franchise best was achieved with 2007’s SAW IV earning $67 in its bow and this is its eighth installment.
TYLER PERRY’S BOO 2! A MADEA HALLOWEEN lands in second in it second week out with $10.3 million, a tally of $35.8 million thus far for Liongsate Films/eOne Films.
GEOSTORM finds itself in third with $5.4 million for Warner Bros. from 3,246 theatres. In its two week-run it has made $23.3 million domestically.
HAPPY DEATH DAY, a former champ, is in fourth this weekend with $5.2 million for Universal Pictures. It has made $48.5 million over three weeks.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE debuts in seventh for Universal Pictures with $4 million from 2,054 theatres, a second Film in the Top Ten for actor Miles Teller whose ONLY THE BRAVE is in sixth with $4.1 million. It earns 77% on the Tomatometer with an A- CinemaScore.
SUBURBICON, a TIFF ’17 selection from George Clooney as Director, opens in ninth with $3.1 million from 2,046 theatres for Elevation Pictures/Paramount Pictures. It gets 26% on the Tomatometer, with a D- CinemaScore.
IT rounds it all out in tenth with $2.3 million in its eighth week, a total $323 million over eight weeks.
True to form, TYLER PERRY’S BOO 2! A MADEA HALLOWEEN takes the top of the Box Office one week before the big day itself. The latest in a franchise of successive hits earns $22 million across North America from 2,388 theatres for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. None however, have been able to surpass the $41 million opening weekend success of 2009’s TYLER PERRY’S MADEA GOES TO JAIL. The Comedy-Horror Mashup also garners an A- CinemaScore meaning Moviegoers can’t get enough of this tough old chick!
In second is GEOSTORM with $12 million from 3,246 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets a B- CinemaScore and a 13% score on the Tomatometer.
Last week’s #1 Movie HAPPY DEATH DAY slips to third with $9.5 million in its second week out for Universal Pictures. The Horror has grossed (pardon the pun!) a healthy $40 million this far.
ONLY THE BRAVE debuts in fifth for Sony Pictures with $5.2 million from 2,577 theatres. It gets an A CinemaScore and an 89% on the Tomatometer.
Debuting in seventh is Thriller THE SNOWMAN with $3.7 million from 1,812 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets a D CinemaScore and 9% on the Tomatometer.
IT rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million in its seventh week for Warner Bros. It (pardon the pun again!) has made $319 million in its successful run thus far.
Exceeding all expectations, HAPPY DEATH DAY from Universal Pictures freaks its competition into submission. Who would’ve thought we’d be seeing this modest Horror topple a giant like BLADE RUNNER 2049? It’s almost Halloween so naturally people are craving this… The Film opens in 3,149 theatres with $26.5 million. It gets a decent 67% rating on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore from Audiences.
BLADE RUNNER 2049 after a quick reign in its debut, slips to second this weekend with $14.3 million in its second week. It has made $59.8 million thus far domestically for Warner Bros.
Opening in third is THE FOREIGNER starring Jackie Chan for STX Entertainment/VVS Films, with $12.4 million from 2,515 theatres. It receives 56% on the Tomatometer and an A- CineamScore.
In fourth is the over-performing IT with $6.4 million, totaling now $315 million over six weeks in North America for Warner Bros.
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US finds itself in fifth with $5.6 million in its second week out, a total $20.5 million for 20th Century Fox.
MARSHALL, a Court Drama starring Chadwick Boseman and Kate Hudson, rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million from 821 theatres for Open Road Films/Sony Pictures. Critically it fares well with 86% on the Tomatometer.
Despite high hopes, BLADE RUNNER 2049 musters a $32 million opening for Warner Bros. from 4,058 theatres. Made for $150 million, this Sci-Fi Blockbuster starring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling came with much mystery and restrictions to Media who were given specific criteria they could and could not divulge in reviews about the Film. The latest effort from Canadian visionary Denis Villeneuve still gets an 89% on the Tomatometer and a solid A- CinemaScore. At one point, projections pegged it to open in the neighbourhood of $50 million. What went wrong, we wonder?
MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE opens in second with $10.4 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films from 2,528 theatres. Earning 57% on the Tomatometer from Critics, the Film gets a much better A- CinemaScore from Audiences.
Opening in third is TIFF ’17 selection THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba. The Disaster-Romance opens with $10 million for 20th Century Fox from 3,088 theatres. It gets 46% from Critics on the Tomatometer but an A- CinemaScore.
IT slips to fourth with $9.2 million for Warner Bros. in its fifth week out. In its domestic run to date, it has grossed an outstanding $304 million already.
VICTORIA & ABDUL, another TIFF ’17 selection, climbs to eighth spot with $4 million for Universal Pictures/Focus Features, expanding to 732 theatres in its third week out. There is lots of Oscar buzz for Dame Judi Dench‘s reprisal of Queen Victoria here.
BATTLE OF THE SEXES, which also premiered at TIFF ’17 in September, rounds-out the Top Ten, expanding to 1,822 theatres for Fox Searchlight, making $2.4 million this weekend, a total $7.7 million over three weeks. Emma Stone also is garnering a lot of Oscars buzz too for her portrayal of Tennis icon Billie Jean King.
As the temperatures drop, so are ticket sales at the Box Office this weekend. IT from Warner Bros. continues to terrify audiences across North America in a tight three-way finish earning $17.4 million in its fourth weekend on-top, totaling a stellar $290 million in its run to date.
After debuting in second last weekend, KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE remains unchanged with $17.1 for 20th Century Fox. Over two weeks it has grossed $67 million across North America.
Debuting in third is AMERICAN MADE starring Tom Cruise, with $16.1 million for Universal Pictures. It plays in 3,024 theatres domestically. It gets a solid 87% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE is in fourth this weekend with $12 million for Warner Bros. It has made $35 million in two weeks.
Sony Pictures’ FLATLINERS Reboot, filmed here in Toronto, debuts in fifth with $6.7 million from 2,552 theatres. It gets a B- CinemaScore and shocking 0% on the Tomatometer critically.
TIFF ’17 selection BATTLE OF THE SEXES is in sixth for Fox Searchlight with $3.4 million, expanding to 1,192 theatres in its second week.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is mother!, earning $1.3 million for Paramount Pictures. In three weeks it has made $16.2 million.
True to form, KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE builds upon its Franchise’s success with a #1 debut for 20th Century Fox. The star-studded Sequel earns $38.3 million in its debut from 4,003 theatres across North America. It earns 51% from Critics on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore. Its Predecessor from 2015 earned $36 million in its debut.
IT after two weeks on-top slips to second with $29.1 million, still a strong showing in its third week out for Warner Bros. It has made $265 million over three weeks.
THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE debuts in third with $21 million for Warner Bros. from 4,047 theatres. It gets 53% from Critics on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
AMERICAN ASSASSIN is in fourth with $6.1 million in its second week out for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, a total $26 earned domestically.
The highly-divisive mother! earns $3 million for Paramount Pictures in week two of release, a total $13.1 million grossed thus far.
FRIEND REQUEST debuts in eight for D Films/Entertainment Studios in 2,569 theatres with $1.8 million. It gets 20% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore.
WIND RIVER rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million from 1,431 theatres for The Weinstein Co./VVS Films. The successful Indie over eight weeks has accumulated $31.7 million in earnings.
After an explosive opening last weekend, STEPHEN KING’S IT repeats the feat in its second week out with $54 million from 4,148 theatres. Over two weeks it has grossed a whopping $212.7 million for Warner Bros., a huge accomplishment for Toronto where the Film was made.
In second is long-awaited AMERICAN ASSASSIN with $15.2 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, from 3,154 theatres across North America. It gets a 31% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
After a TIFF ’17 debut last weekend, Darren Aronofsky‘s mother! opens in third with $8 million for Paramount Pictures from 2,368 theatres. Despite a 71% on the Tomatometer, it gets only a F CinemaScore from Audiences.
Rom-Com HOME AGAIN in its second week out earns $5.5 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films, good enough for fourth. In total it has made $17.3 million domestically.
DUNKIRK in its eighth week still is going strong, rounding-out the Top Ten with $1.4 million for Warner Bros. It has made $185 million in total in its domestic run.
By Mr. Will Wong, Siobhán Rich and Justin Waldman
Now in its 23rd year, FAN EXPO returned once again to Toronto this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre celebrating fandom and bringing fans close to their idols of past and future. The extravaganza continues to pull-in upwards of 129,000 people from around the world with panels, exhibits, signings and photo ops galore. There’s even Speed-Dating for the geek-minded.
Cosplayers were out in full festive force with several paying tribute to the likes of The Joker, Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman and Doctor Who.
A major highlight this year was the reunion of the original ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Cast including a seldom-seen Tim Curry, who was available for photo ops and also pre-signed memorabilia. His Castmates Meat Loaf, Nell Campbell, Barry Bostwick and Patricia Quinn also made their way to Fan Expo.
A hot ticket item this weekend, selling-out, was photo ops for the Cast of STRANGER THINGS including Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo. The former also appeared with his fellow Castmates from another production in which he stars, hotly-anticipated Stephen King Remake IT, out next week.
This year, Fan Expo‘s Guest List was heavy on talent filming in the City including Cast members from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, which sees a premiere on CBS this September including Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp and Doug Jones.
Meanwhile, returning favourites Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), John Barrowman (Arrow), Nathan Fillion (Castle), Stephen Amell (Arrow), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) also proved popular.
THOR: RAGNAROK EXHIBIT
Among the several dazzling displays and exhibits at Fan Expo Canada this year was an exhibit for eagerly-awaited THOR: RAGNAROK from Marvel, giving fans get an exclusive first look at the costumes and pieces seen in the Movie.
In this third Thor Movie, our hero faces his toughest villain yet, Hela played by Cate Blanchett, and her costume makes the villain even more daunting. A black and green costume with a 3D printed headpiece that resembles something similar to a creature from nightmares it truly is a sight to behold. As well the headpiece was never actually worn in the film but rather carried afterwards in very careful placement to fit the Film.
Next is Karl Urban’s Skurge and without giving away too much information about the character he seems to be a forced to be reckoned with as well. A double-sided axe that is truly remarkable accompanies his costume. As well his costume is made of actual steel and fabric, making it one of the more impressive costumes.
Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) costume takes its final form in this third Film. There are little tidbits of goodies in the costume as well, if we remember the first Avengers Film, the necklace Loki wears has a small piece in his costume this time around as an ode to that other appearance.
Next we have hotly-anticipated Jeff Goldblum’s The Grandmaster whose fabric costume is so much more impressive in person that anyone could have ever imagined. The layers of fabric and costume it self really stands out and boasts the character.
Two really cool props from Ragnarok are from the Hulk Vs Thor scenes where we get a first up close look at Hulk’s sword and hammer that he uses in the fight. These props are massive and certainly a dream come true for fans to be able to see these props up close and personal.
One of the most impressive pieces at Fan Expo’s exhibit this year was Thor’s costume itself, as it is a mish-mash of different pieces. While he is away from Asgard and fighting, he acquires different pieces of his costume and writing on his costume that shows his journey. However the most interesting piece for fans would be Thor’s helmet, which many fans have dreamed of seeing since the first Movie came out.
Photos from the THOR: RAGNAROK Exhibit. Hover cursor left and right below to navigate.
This gorgeous star of X-Men, Taken, The Wolverine, The Blacklist, How to Get Away with Murder, The Blacklist and Hemlock Grove, the latter filmed right in our City, returns to Toronto again once again. She tells her fans at her panel about her experience working with Hugh Jackman who would go on to be in the widely-acclaimed LOGAN. “It’s impossible to envision anyone else playing that role”, she says about her Co-Star. “I’m grateful to have worked with him.”.
On Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner playing a role she helped shape in upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix, she says “I think she’s amazing. She reached out to me when she got cast as Jean Grey and asked what pointers I had for her and I told her she’s amazing and to just follow your gut and that’s what she did.”.
TIM CURRY
You know you’re iconic when your Films are remade and your roles are reprised. This iconic star of Rocky Horror Picture Show and the original Pennywise in Stephen King’s IT, which is projected to make a huge splash next weekend at the Box Office, made a rare appearance at this year’s Fan Expo treating fans to an intimate panel.
On which of his projects he considers his favourites, Curry says “Well, I guess one of them is Clue where my part was as big as the Bible. I also love Muppet Treasure Island.“.
On his phenomenal voicework in Animation, he says “I love it. I’ve never been a contortionist. The day is young and one day I hope to be.”.
While he is the idol of many who attended his panel, he cites Alec Guinness as being someone he looks up to.
JOHN BARROWMAN
This star of Doctor Who, Desperate Housewives, Torchwood, Legends of Tomorrow and of course Arrow is loved by many a fan. He reflects on the fun he has had on the latter. “A lot of things happened and part of what I like to do is making people crack-up by doing something from across of them. Stephen (Amell) is really easy to crack-up”.
In what will be the most talked-about moment of Fan Expo Canada 2017, Barrowman was asked by a fan at his panel whom his best on-screen kiss was with. A fan who went by the name Montana then rushed the stage to the shock of the crowd and Barrowman, and the two embraced in a kiss which had the fan going shirtless. The crowd went ecstatic. David Tennant, his Doctor Who Co-Star was his favourite kiss, by the way!
The best kind of audience participation at @JohnBarrowman‘s @FANEXPOCANADA panel. #FXC17 pic.twitter.com/Ls81n9x934
— MsTypo (@Typo_eh) September 1, 2017
KATHLEEN TURNER
Those of us who grew-up in the ’80s have fond memories of Turner‘s work in classics like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Peggy Sue Got Married, Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Turner reflected on her beginnings as an actress with her fans. She claims “I didn’t see many films. I always felt like Film happened to me.”. “Most of my imagination was satisfied by reading. This is how I always thought I wanted to be an actor”, she says. “This is my 40th year in my profession and it is still absolutely thrilling to be doing it. I am now entering my fourth profession and I will be doing Cabaret. I can sing.”.
MATT SMITH
In addition to its presence being felt largely this year with several fans dressed as Dr. Who, Matt Smith returned to Fan Expo once again this year. On his eventual exit from the beloved Series, Smith says “Yeah, I always knew I was going to stay for another year. Maybe I would’ve stayed on for another year. But then I thought I couldn’t get too comfortable. It’s a difficult show to leave because it’s such a brilliant character but as an actor you have to continue to do things that frighten you and make you uncomfortable.”.
Smith currently can be seen in Netflix‘s acclaimed The Crown as Philip.
See some Snaps from Fan Expo Canada 2017. Navigate by hovering cursor over left and right of gallery.
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Missed it this year? Learn more about FAN EXPO CANADA right here and come next year!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Siobhán Rich/Justin Waldman)
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