12 Years a Slave was awarded Best Picture at the 62nd annual BAFTA Awards at London’s Royal Opera House earlier today and is believed by many to be the definitive choice to win in the same Category at next month’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Despite receiving a whopping ten nominations, the Drama directed by Steve McQueen, took home two Awards, with British Actor Chiwetel Ejofor taking Leading Actor in an Awards Season stateside which has been dominated by Matthew McConaughey.
Also awarded today were Cate Blanchett for Leading Actress in Blue Jasmine – a feat she likely will repeat at the Oscars, an absent Jennifer Lawrence for Supporting Actress in American Hustle and Barkhad Abdi for Supporting Actor in Captain Phillips. Will Poulter, who starred in last year’s Box Office Smash We’re The Millers, was awarded the EE Rising Star Award.
While the Hardware may have been handed out today, the Parties were alive and kicking last night and the one to be at certainly was Harvey Weinstein‘s BAFTA Nominees Dinner, sponsored by Burberry and Grey Goose Vodka. Held at Little House in Mayfair, London, the dazzling Affair boasted a Guest List including the likes of Uma Thurman, Keira Knightley, Naomi Harris, Cara Delevingne, Poppy Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse, Paloma Faith, Steve Coogan, Steve McQueen, Douglas Booth, Jamie Campbell Bower, Samantha Barks, Richard E Grant, Philomena Lee, Nick Grimshaw, Sam Claflin, Laura Haddock and Daniel Brühl.
The Star of the Evening being Grey Goose‘s LE FIZZ Cocktail (Recipe here!), the Libation named the Celebratory Drink of Choice. For Appetizers, Guests enjoyed a variety of Canapes, Scallop and Grapefruit Ceviche, Cavolo Nero Crisps and Prawn and Guacamole Skewers. The luxurious three-course Dinner included: Quinoa, Beetroot, Cucumber and Radish followed by Roast Fillet of Beef, with a light Lemon Meringue for Dessert. WWWT (wish we were there)!!!
For a complete List of Winners, click here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Rock-It Promotions)
Tipped hotly as the next Young Adult Franchise to break, The Mortal Instruments, adapted from Cassandra Clare‘s Series of bestselling Novels, soon will see a release on the Big Screen with first installment City of Bones having been shot in Toronto last Fall. Hence, it is absolutely full circle that Director Harald Zwart and Stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan and Kevin Zegers returned to where it all began last night, this time to promote the Blockbuster set to open next week. If the fact that a second installment already has been green-lit, beginning production in just five weeks’ time, we can expect nothing but for these Films to be a massive success.
The stage was set as a strip of Richmond Street was closed for the Canadian Red Carpet Premiere of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones at Scotiabank Theatre, where Fans lined the barricades all day to get a glimpse of the Talent and perhaps maybe even get their books signed… and several succeeded!
Director Zwart has built an eclectic Résumé which has seen Box Office Hits like 2003’s Agent Cody Banks and 2010’s The Karate Kid Remake. The Norwegian Native was first to walk the Carpet tonight and I asked him what drew him most to the Franchise and he admits, “I think this is the Movie I’ve been looking for all my life – a bit of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. That’s really my favourite genre.”. On which Character he identifies most with, he reveals, “I think I like Luke (played by The Hobbit‘s Aidan Turner). He’s the Outsider who’s watching everyone from a distance, but still protecting them.”. Traveling solo last time around, he says “This time around I’m actually gonna bring my Family – my Kids and Wife – and it will be a great experience having them around!”.
BAFTA-nominated Robert Sheehan has risen to prominence in the UK for his work on the Series Misfits. Tackling the role of the nerdy but loveable Simon Lewis – Best Friend to Lily Collins‘ Clary Fray – the Irish Actor graced the Red Carpet in style tonight in a fitted suit with 3/4-length pants, complete with leopard-print shoes. On Simon‘s grappling with his unrequited feelings for Clary, I ask what romantic advice Sheehan would give his own Character. He jokes, “I’d tell him find the nearest table jump up on it, take your shirt off and claim your love as quickly as possible, because in 50 years’ time you might have a Hernia!”. In addition, he has nothing but praise for Torontonians, stating “People here are enduringly content with themselves. It’s infectious!”. His one regret? Sheehan wishes he got to do more “touristy” things during his last stay. “I’m gonna take my weekends and see some sights like Niagara Falls and Montreal”, as he gestures teasingly at an attractive female Journalist beside me, making a pretend date with her. Charming, indeed.
Despite being from Woodstock, Ontario originally, Toronto practically has become a second home for recently-wed Kevin Zegers. The Actor stars as Alec Lightwood, a Character who comes to be defined in this installment for his own struggles with his sexuality and jealousy towards Clary Fray, as she captures the attentions of Jace Wayland (Jamie Campbell Bower). I ask him what he drew upon in his own life for the role and he states, “I’m not a terrifically jealous person. I’m a little judgmental of people at first and I think that was one of my focuses – to be more renascent and distrustful rather than focusing on the jealousy and whether Clary‘s attached to Jace or not.”. And for those curious, his lovely Wife Jaime Feld walked the Carpet together with him, standing by his side supportively as he greeted Fans and Press.
Although we’ve seen him in both The Twilight Saga and Harry Potter Franchises, British Actor/Musician Jamie Campbell Bower finally gets his moment to shine in The Mortal Instruments in a Lead Role, which actually is rather physically-demanding especially late in the Film in some highly choreographed action sequences with Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Valentine Morgenstern. Bower‘s Jace is seen widely as a bit of a “Bad Boy” and I asked him what influences he drew upon in crafting the role. He lists for me some of his influences – some more surprising than others, “James Hetfield (Metallica), Kurt Cobain, young Johnny (Depp), young Heath (Ledger) and River (Phoenix) as well”, he says. “I’ve always been interested in Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones) also.”.
It’s always a pleasure seeing Lily Collins, one of Hollywood’s most promising new faces. I still recall my shock spotting her out and about in the City last Summer while prepping for filming and to see her star rise so quickly fills me with a great sense of pride. Upon seeing each other on the Carpet, she came over gave me a big hug. An absolute vision in her white Houghton Dress, I had only a quick moment to chat, but asked her where in Toronto she’d take Clary Fray out on a date. “Oh my God! Well, it’s funny because I went bowling in that Bowling Alley (pointing down the road to The Ballroom Bowl) when I was creating Clary. I’d definitely have to go to Yamato for Sushi because Yorkville‘s my ‘hood’. We’d also just go hang-out on Queen Street and go Vintage Shopping.”. Reflecting on her meteoric rise, she says “Last time we came here no one knew who we were except you!”. I invite her to look behind me at her hoards of adoring Fans and she flashes a brilliant, animated smile. “I’m so thrilled to be here!”.
Watch Video Clips of my Chat with the Director and Cast of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones below:
eOne Films & Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win one of 20 Double Passes to the Canadian Premiere of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones! It was filmed in our City and now we’re proud to celebrate its release in our City! The Red Carpet Event takes place Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto with several Cast Members in attendance.
Official Synopsis:
Based on the best-selling Young Adult Novel by Cassandra Clare, when her Mom is attacked and taken from their home in New York City by a Demon, a seemingly ordinary Teenage Girl, Clary Fray, finds out truths about her past and bloodline on her quest to get her back, that changes her entire life.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones stars: Lily Collins (Mirror, Mirror), Jamie Campbell Bower (Twilight Saga), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Kevin Zegers (The Colony), Kevin Durand (Robin Hood), Robert Sheehan (Misfits), Jared Harris (Mad Men) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors).
Watch the sizzling Trailer below:
Official Artwork below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your chances by sharing this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below to your Followers:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/themortalinstruments @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Double Pass to the #Toronto Premiere of #TheMortalInstruments 8/15. Out 8/21! #TMIMovie
Good luck, Shadowhunters! This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
eOne Films releases The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.
Pre-order your Tickets here.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
A few things about this brand new Sneak Peek Trailer for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones:
-We get to witness adorable Lily Collins introducing the Trailer
-We see that Demi Lovato, Zedd and Colbie Caillat have contributed Tracks to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack from Universal Republic
-We can hear Previews of the Soundtrack here; it is available for Pre-order here (out August 20, 2013)
-The Film is PG-13 as per the MPAA
-It will be available in IMAX
Watch the Sneak Peek Trailer at Yahoo! Movies in full here or watch it in HD below:
eOne Films releases The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
There are few Celebrities I am as cosmically in-sync with as Lily Collins. I keep crossing paths with her, honestly not even intentionally! Remember last Summer when we first spotted her out and about with Jamie Campbell Bower (read here)?
Collins just wrapped a week of work on Rom-Com, Love, Rosie, in Toronto along with another burgeoning star in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘s Sam Claflin (read more here) with sightings ranging from Etobicoke to Downtown’s Roy Thomson Hall to Financial District.
Remembering me right away, she tells me “Nice seeing you again!”, sporting a slight hint of red in her locks. “Your hair! Looks great!!”, I tell her. “Aww, thanks!”, she says grabbing a few strands of it. Collins was getting ready to fly out and tells me “I think we’ll be back again for the Premiere later this Summer.”.
With a second The Mortal Instruments installment already green-lit for Production without the first even being released, Studio Executives over at Sony Pictures really are that confident in Collins‘ ability to clary – sorry, I mean carry – a Franchise on her own.
See my Snap:
eOne Films releases The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in Canada August 22, 2013.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
“You have an incredible gift and we need you. I need you.”.
I cannot contain my excitement at this for multiple reasons. One, this brand new Trailer for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones not long looks amazing, but also it’s got some funny bits in it! Two, Author Cassandra Clare announces that there will indeed be a Canadian Premiere for one of this Summer’s most eagerly awaited Blockbusters filmed last Summer here in Toronto! “We are thrilled and excited to celebrate with you all. See you soon!”, she says.
Watch the brand new Trailer in full below. The intense opening sequence as Clary (Lily Collins) Mother Jocelyn (Lena Headey) gets taken is just too much to take!
I really cannot contain my excitement for this! Sony Pictures has just released some brand new Stills from The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, in what is almost certain to be the next worth successor in the Young Adult Fiction Adaptation genre to The Twilight Saga. If these faces – with the exception of Kevin Zegers and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, still are only vaguely familar to you now, have my word that this Fall they will be everything: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Godfrey Gao, Robert Sheehan and Jemima West. Toronto had the honour of hosting the filming of this Blockbuster and we can only hope that future installments will be coming back to our City!
Check-out these new Stills below:
Although we’ve been begging for more since seeing its Trailer surface three months ago, here it is again:
“There’s a map inside your head, Clary. You are the key to our Survival.”.
There is absolutely no way this isn’t going to be a Smash! Just having wrapped in Toronto last week, a Teaser Trailer for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones has just surfaced! The Action Sequences look superb and although I have yet to read the original Cassandra Clare Novels, Harald Zwart looks perfectly to have captured a Mood, transporting us into a dangerous, dark, mysterious World along with Lily Collins’ Clary Fray who like us seems to have a lot of questions.
As one of the few People in the City who met most of the Cast while they were in-town, I couldn’t be more thrilled and supportive! This is going to be an Adventure!
Watch the stunning and v. promising Trailer in full below:
August 23, 2013. eOne Films.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Screen Gems)
Careful not to shine the spotlight his direction at the Premiere for Girlfriend Lily Collins’ The Writers, Jamie Campbell Bower zipped through the Red Carpet, signing a few Autographs for Fans last night at Ryerson Theatre. Declining Photos with Fans, Bower tells them he’s under the weather right now.
Get well soon, Jamie! Perhaps some Tea & Honey in those Starbucks Mugs I got you and Lily a while back?
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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