The buzz is feverish for upcoming Boxing Drama SOUTHPAW and Toronto was luckiest of all to host the official Canadian Premiere for the Film.  In for the night were Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Hometown Sweetheart Rachel McAdams and a surprise appearance by Boxing Legend Lennox Lewis.   Fans lined a specially set-up Fan Pit outside Scotiabank Theatre and quite a few were lucky to be on the receiving-end of graciousness from the Stars, but in all honesty, many were just happy to be in the presence of the A-List talent.

SOUTHPAW, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), tells the story of a Boxer named Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal), who has seen better days.  At the urging of his wife Maureen (McAdams) and daughter Leila (Oona Laurence) to spend more time at home, he decides to retire.  Upon receiving honours at his retirement gala, tragedy would strike – only the beginning of a downward spiral that would see him lose everything.  With the help of a no-nonsense Trainer in Tick (Forest Whitaker), we see a former Champion on a valiant quest for redemption, to regain back what is his and any remnants of what he had left.

We had the opportunity to chat with McAdams, who looked absolutely stunning in pink Dior, and a dapper-suited Gyllenhaal.  McAdams plays Maureen, a woman to fight for and Billy‘s reason to live again after she dies prematurely in Southpaw.  I ask her about the Women in her life who are worth fighting for and she tells me, “My mom and my sister are at the top of my list.  I used to be a figure skater, so definitely Elizabeth Manley.”.  We wouldn’t expect a less patriotic answer from the proudly-Canadian Actress who chose consciously Toronto over Hollywood as her home.

I ask her about getting into Maureen‘s headspace and preparation required for the memorable role, which had her working out of Pittsburgh.  “I got to spend a bit of time at facilities Billy and her would’ve grown up at” she explains, “I spent time with Boxers and the Boxers’ families and got to know the Sport and how much people give to it, the sacrifices they make and the difficult paths they take to get there.”.

McAdams filmed an intriguing Movie titled Spotlight in the City last Fall, just one of several she’s made in her native Toronto. She sheds some light on it, hinting “It likely will do the Festival Circuit maybe – but it’s not announced”. “It’s great to shoot here.  Tom McCarthy (Director) is the best and I love him to bits”.  She explains,  “It’s an important story that hasn’t been told enough about the Church – a new side, which has an investigatory crew at The Boston Globe and there’s four of them. I got to play the one woman on the team.”.  McAdams adds, “She’s just incredible and my hero – generous and gracious with her time, taking me under her wing.”.  Spotlight is due in theatres this November, with a likelihood of premiering at TIFF ’15.

Although there wasn’t much time for Gyllenhaal to speak to Digital Media, we were able to sit-in on a couple questions he fielded about his role as Billy Hope and his new perspective on Professional Fighting since making Southpaw.  “The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight – I was in rapture for the first four rounds”, he recalls.  “Now I think ‘Ooh, what punch is thrown and who’s getting knocked-out.’. I’m watching technique and what the Trainer is up to.”.  Gyllenhaal is devastatingly-good, transforming physically and mentally into Billy Hope completely for the Film, just one of a few great Films he’s made these past couple years. A Career Renaissance if you will.

With an inspired interest in Boxing, Gyllenhaal states, “When you become a fan of the Sport, you become a fan of the people in the Sport and it becomes about the story about the particular athlete.”.  On his greatest inspiration building Billy‘s character he says, “My most motivating Fighter was Miguel Cotto.  He’s so devoted to his family and been in the ring so many times. So many odd things have happened.”. “The Movie’s all about Family. He was my inspiration.”.

eOne Films release SOUTHPAW on Friday, July 24, 2015.

Review to come soon.

More Snaps below:

#RachelMcAdams + #JakeGyllenhaal at the Canadian #Southpaw Premiere.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:20pm PDT

  #JakeGyllenhaal + #RachelMcAdams catching-up at the Canadian #Southpaw Premiere.   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:19pm PDT

#JakeGyllenhaal and a surprise appearance by #LennoxLewis at the Canadian #Southpaw Premiere.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:14pm PDT

  “You sneakin’ a pic of me?”, #LennoxLewis at the Canadian #Southpaw Premiere. #Boxing   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:15pm PDT

#RachelMcAdams just glowing at the Canadian #Southpaw Premiere. Had a lovely chat with her.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:18pm PDT

Video of our Chat:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)

eOne Films + Mr. Will are gonna turn-up the heat this Summer with a chance to see eagerly-awaited SOUTHPAW, starring both Jake Gyllenhaal + Rachel McAdams!

Screenings take place Monday, July 20, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, Victoria.

As an exclusive for Toronto Readers, there will be a Red Carpet Screening held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 with Rachel McAdams and Jake Gyllenhaal in-attendance. A Fan Pit also will be set-up for you to see for those who come early enough!

Official Synopsis:

From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY) and starring Academy Award® nominated Jake Gyllenhaal (NIGHTCRAWLER, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN) comes a story of tragedy, loss and the painful road to redemption… Billy “The Great” Hope (Gyllenhaal) is the reigning Junior Middleweight Champion whose unorthodox stance, the so-called “Southpaw,” consists of an ineloquent, though brutal, display of offensive fighting…one fueled by his own feelings of inadequacy and a desperate need for love, money and fame. With a beautiful family, home and financial security, Billy is on top both in and out of the ring until a tragic accident leaves his wife dead and sends him into a downward spiral. His days now an endless haze of alcohol and prescription drugs, his daughter taken by Child Services and his home repossessed by the bank, Billy’s fate is all but sealed until a washed up former boxer named Tick agrees to take the bereaved pugilist under his wing so long as he agrees to his strict ethos. Relentless and utterly committed to a fighter that thinks as much as he throws punches, Tick rebuilds Billy into a new man: one that is agile, fearsome and uncompromising in the ring while thoughtful, loving and disciplined outside of it. Now, as he works to regain custody of his daughter and mounts a professional comeback, Billy must face his demons head-on as he learns that, sometimes, your greatest opponent can be yourself.

See the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click  “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.  Indicate for us your City also.  You may click “share” on this Post for an extra shot or Tweet out the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/southpaw @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #SOUTHPAW. In theatres 7/24!

Mr. Will, Antoine Fuqua, Rachel McAdams + Jake Gyllenhaal:

G’luck, Willionaire$!

eOne Films release SOUTHPAW on Friday, July 24, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Elevation Pictures and Mr. Will want you to be mesmerized by Jake Gyllenhaal’s outstanding performance as Lou Bloom in NIGHTCRAWLER. We’re giving away a chance to bring the suspense home on Blu-ray Combo Pack!

Official Synopsis:

NIGHTCRAWLER is a pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling — where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story.

To enter to win, simply head on over to Mr. Will on Facebook and ensure you throw a “like”. From there you can click the “share” button for an extra chance or Tweet the below:

Artwork:

Watch the Trailer:

The Cast of NIGHTCRAWLER + Mr. Will:

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#NIGHTCRAWLER. #Movies #Film #JakeGyllenhaal #LouBloom #ReneRusso

View on Instagram

Elevation Pictures and Mr. Will want you to be mesmerized by Jake Gyllenhaal’s outstanding performance as Lou Bloom in NIGHTCRAWLER. Screenings take place in Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Edmonton. Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria on Wednesday, October 29, 2014.

Official Synopsis:

NIGHTCRAWLER is a pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling — where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story.

Mr. Will wants to ensure you get in on Lou Bloom‘s upcoming Seminars, complete with instructional how-to on his rise as the Media Mogul he is. Would you be interested in attending? Would you be interested in joining his Company? Get connected with Lou via his LinkedIn Profile Page here!

Once you’ve connected with Lou, make sure you head over to Mr. Will on Facebook and ensure you throw a “like” to confirm your connection with him and also indicate which City for which you’ll be attending Lou‘s Seminar. You also may share this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below:

Watch a Montage about Lou‘s rise to the top:

It absolutely is our favourite time of the year again and announced this morning is the official list of Talent coming to Toronto for TIFF ’14! We look forward to seeing plenty of returning names – some just here last year like the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet – and also plenty of Stars from years past making their way back here once more!

Among the names attending TIFF ’14 this year include:

Jon Stewart, Martin Scorcese, Richard Gere, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, James Franco, Jane Fonda, Chloë Moretz, Brit Marling, Laura Dern, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Redgrave, Vera Farmiga, Al Pacino, Tina Fey, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Pattinson, Ansel Elgort, Alice Eve, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Seyfried, Michael Shannon, Dax Sheppard, Robert Duvall, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Hailee Steinfield, Justin Chatwin, Method Man, Jennifer Connelly, Bobby Cannavale, Kuoth Wiel, Cassie Williams, Danny Webb, Dominic West, Jung Woo-Sung, John Boylan, Sam Worthington, Tye Sheridan, Andrew Scott, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, Connie Britton, Reese Witherspoon, Evan Bird, Zhao Wei, Han Ye-Ri, Melissa Benoist, Haley Bennett, Sonja Bennett, John Travolta, Julianne Moore, Isaach De Bankolé, Dan Stevens, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Xavier Dolan, Peter Stormare, Ben Schnetzer, Abigail Spencer, Ellen Barkin, Bill Pullman, Charlotte Aubin, Kate Winslet, Ryan Reynolds, Rene Russo, Roger Waters, Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Loreto Aravena, Tobey Maguire, Aubrey Plaza, Tobey Maguire, Gemma Arterton,  Juliette Binoche, Zhang Yimou, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Rose Byrne, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray, Daniel Barber, Liam Aiken, Mike Leigh, Olivier Assayas, Richard LaGravenese, Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Anna Kendrick, Morgan Freeman, Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Rosario Dawson, Chris Rock, John Cusack, Benedict Cumberbatch, Octavia Spencer, Keira Knightley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie, Patricia Clarkson, J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller, Priyanka Chopra, Daniel Bruhl, Michael Winterbottom, Justin Chon, Steve Carell, Gong Li, Hayden Christensen, Tory Kittles, Jordana Brewster, Holliday Grainger, Max Irons, Lone Scherfig, Sam Claflin, Douglas Booth, Paul Bettany, Daniel Barnz, Noah Baumbach, Barry Avrich, Jennifer Aniston, Akon, Nick Kroll, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Greta Gerwig, Omar Sy Jennifer Garner, Salma Hayek, Kevin Smith, Eddie Redmayne,  Felicity Jones, Faye Marsay, Bill Nighy, Justin Long, Christopher Plummer, Marton Csokas, David Cronenberg, Sarah Gadon, Tom Schilling, Tom Hardy and more!

TIFF also will be hosting a series of In-Conversations-With as part of their Mavericks Programme. Joining-in are the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Jon Stewart, Dan Savage, Julie Taymor and several more!

As is the case always, it’s sometimes not just who’s coming – it’s who they’re bringing.  Don’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner brings Husband Ben Affleck along and be warned if Andrew Garfield brings Emma Stone along!

Who’s on our list of Must-Meets?  Plenty!  We hope finally to get a positive moment with Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet!  Excited about Martin Scorcese, J.K. Simmons, Bobby Cannavale, Miles Teller, Corey Stoll, Tobey Maguire, Rose Byrne, Michael Douglas and newer names like Max Irons and Douglas Booth, that’s for sure.  And did we read TINA FEY!?!?  Finally!  AND WHERE IS TOM HARDY?!?!

The list is always subject to surprise and no-shows as we know all too well!

Visit the official TIFF Website for more.

TIFF ’14 runs September 3 – 14, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Yet another number one debut for Hugh Jackman!  Prisoners is the second Film in-a-row of the Australian-born Star after another big debut this July with Wolverine and after it premiered at TIFF ’13 to resoundingly positive reviews earlier this month, the 18+ Crowd flocked to the Movies this weekend to see this R-rated Thriller. Jake Gyllenhaal who happened to top the Box Office this weekend last year with End of Watch, also stars. The Film opened with a stellar $21.4 million for Warner Bros., from 3,260 theatres.  Made for $46 million, it likely will recover its production costs rather quickly and earned an A- CinemaScore from Audiences and also a v. solid 80% on the Tomatometer.

After a monstrous debut last week, Insidious: Chapter 2 slips to second spot this weekend with $14.5 million for FilmDistrict/eOne Films.  In two weeks, the Horror has grossed a spiffy $60 million.

In third this weekend is Comedy, The Family, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro with $7 million in this its second week out for Relativity Media and eOne Films. The Luc Besson Film in total has earned $25.1 million thus far domestically.

Debuting in fourth is Teen-Dance Flick, Battle of the Year, with $5 million from 2,008 theatres.  Critics didn’t give it much love with a paltry 6% on the Tomatometer, while audiences loved with, giving it an A- CinemaScore; it was made for $20 million.

We’re the Millers is showing astounding resilience for Warner Bros., still hanging-on to the Top Ten in sixth spot with $4.6 million.  The Comedy has earned over $138 million now in North America in its seven weeks in theatres.

The Butler also is proving to be a Stayer in seventh spot with $4.3 million in its sixth week of release, a cumulative total of 106 million for The Weinstein Co. and eOne Films.

Planes from Disney, rounds out the Top Ten with $2.8 million in its seventh week, now grossing over $86 million in North America.

Mr. Will Wong and eOne Live are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Passes to the Red Carpet Premiere of Denis Villeneuve‘s ENEMY!

The Premiere takes place Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 6:00 PM at Ryerson Theatre.  Talent will be in attendance including Sarah Gadon, Jake Gyllenhaal and Director Denis Villeneuve.

Official Synopsis here.

Those of you hoping to see it at TIFF ’13 have two chances:
Sunday September 8 – Ryerson Theatre at 6:00 PM
Monday September 9 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 at10:30 PM

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances!

http://mrwillwong.com/enemy @MRWILLW wants us to #win Red Carpet Premiere Passes to the #TIFF13 Premiere of #ENEMY starring #JakeGyllenhaal!

Don’t forget to check-out the newly-launched eOne Live Website!

Good luck.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

The Stars began to descend upon Toronto for the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival today and although some of the Actors to arrive don’t see their Movies for a few days, they just couldn’t resist enjoying our City a bit more than work permits!

Daniel Brühl is definitely a name to look out for TIFF ’13 with two Marquee Titles at the Festival this year including Opening Night Gala The Fifth Estate, premiering tonight at two venues.  Unfortunately there have been no sightings yet of his brilliant Co-Star Benedict Cumberbatch still. This weekend he also will be here to present Ron Howard‘s RUSH, in which he stars as Formula 1 Driver Niki Lauda. The Actor was low-key, signing a couple Autographs, telling Fans he’ll greet them over the course of the week during TIFF Festivities.

Rising Star Paul Dano is a major force at TIFF ’13 also, here to present Thriller Prisoners in which he stars alongside Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal as a Suspect involved in the disappearance of two young Girls.  He also will be promoting Oscar Contender 12 Years a Slave from Director Steve McQueen, boasting an equally stellar Cast of Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson and Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Dano was seen with the aid of cane and sans Girlfriend Actress Zoe Kazan, who also will be here this weekend for Romantic-Comedy, The F Word in which she stars opposite Daniel Radcliffe.

Although he’s not here for TIFF ’13 per say, Hugh Dancy and his Wife Claire Danes certainly are no strangers to the Festival, having visited many a time in the past for it.  Dancy is back in Toronto (Baby Cyrus in tow) to prep for the forthcoming second season of Hannibal.  I spotted Co-Star Mads Mikkelsen earlier today working out in my Building even!

One of the Films premiering at TIFF ’13 with the most buzz certainly is Blue is the Warmest Colour, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this past May.  The Lesbian-theme French Drama stars an impeccably-talented Duo of Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos.  Although both resisted Fans a bit, eventually they gave way taking Photos and signing Autographs.  The Duo premiere their Film at TIFF tonight.

Ahh, my favourite Snap thus far!  I love Jake Gyllenhaal and it always is a pleasure seeing him.  The Actor, who stars in two Films at the Festival, Prisoners and Toronto-filmed Enemy, arrived in Toronto from New York City a couple days early and will be hard at work through the weekend in support of both Thrillers.  The former is gaining lots of Oscar buzz already after a strong showing at the Telluride Film Festival.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

At long last the TIFF ’13 Guest List has been announced and among the Marquee names we can expect to see in Toronto in two weeks are phenomenal!  Although speak of Brad Pitt and George Clooney making appearances here didn’t amount to much more than rumour, this year the Female Contingent shines brightest with several of Hollywood’s A-List set to present their latest Oscar Vehicles here.

Among the Celebrities expected this year are:

Emilia Clarke, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Tom Felton, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Radcliffe, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Sarah Gadon,  Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, Mike Myers, Emma Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Poehler, Keanu Reeves, Kate Winslet, Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Owen Wilson, Ralph Fiennes, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Gyllenhaal, JudeLaw, Jessica Chastain, Jai Courtney, Mila Kunis, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Idris Elba, Ed Harris, Michael C. Hall, Annette Benning, James McAvoy, Liam Neeson, Steven Soderbergh, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Maria Bello, Jennifer Garner, Nicolas Cage, Daniel Brühl, Tom Hiddleston, Jack Huston, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Lange, Melissa Leo, Adam Levine, Catherine O’Hara, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Berenger, Tom Wilkinson, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Clive Owen, Zach Galifianakis, Emily Watson, John Hawkes, Alan Rickman, Toni Collette, Josh Brolin, Alice Cooper, Tiger Chen, Rebecca Hall, Will Forte, Kevin Zegers, Taylor Kitsch, Juliette Binoche, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Thandie Newton,  Terrence Howard, James Hetfield, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Robbins,  Glenn Close, Dakota Fanning, Philip Glass and several more!

Keep checking back here as the Toronto International Film Festival makes additions as we get closer to Thursday, September 5, 2013 when TIFF ’13 kicks-off!  The Festival runs till Sunday, September 15, 2013.

The official Schedule has been announced and you can now start planning your Festival right here. Download the Official Schedule right here!

Single Tickets go on sale on Sunday, September 1, 2013 on TIFF‘s Website here.

Things are about to get real exciting around here!  Happy TIFF, indeed!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

ALl I have to say is that it’s about time Maria Bello got cast in Movies again! One of the Films entering TIFF ’13 with the most buzz is Thriller, Prisoners, which centers around an investigation in the disappearance of two girls. Hugh Jackman stars as a Boston Man who takes matters into his own hands when he thinks he’s found the Man behind the disappearance of his Daughter and her Best Friend.

Directed by our v. own Denis Villeneuve (Incendies), Prisoners also stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano,Viola Davis and of course, Maria Bello. Phenomenal Cast.

Watch the Trailer below:

Warner Bros. releases Prisoners on September 20, 2013.  It debuts at TIFF ’13 on Saturday, September 7. 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)