Could Jonathan Majors have a bigger year? First there was Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania, then an acclaimed performance again in CREED III and now potential Awards Season glory with MAGAZINE DREAMS, which just premiered at Sundance.

Synopsis:

Aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) struggles to find human connection in this exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn him of the permanent damage he causes to himself with his quest.

Searchlight Pictures release MAGAZINE DREAMS December 8, 2023.

(Photo credit: Searchlight Pictures)

We’re about to enter Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the release of ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA takes us into the Quantum Realm! With themes of family, vulnerability, this just might be the most relatable installment in the MCU yet.

Secrets are uncovered and those surrounding Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) are forced to confront the truth. Peyton Reed directs, while Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce.

Director Peyton Reed is asked what the signature is for these Ant-Man movies.

Reed: “The Ant-man movies have always been about family. It’s a generational story about a family of heroes. Scott Lang is getting sucked-into this world and Hope Van Dyne who is the legacied daughter of superheroes. It’s this generational thing. So young Cassie Lang is probably Scott‘s biggest motivational factor. Time with is daughter – he wants to be a the hero obviously, but it’s really about work-life balance and finding time with his daughter. We continue story of this family. We broaden that story and start to talk about the secrets that family members keep from each other. From the beginning we find out maybe Janet hasn’t told the family about her 30 years in the Quantum Realm, maybe Hope and Hank haven’t told Scott what they’re working on with Cassie in the basement and Cassie hasn’t told her dad about her time spent in jail. Everyone keep secrets from Scott at the beginning of the Movie and suddently we’re thrurst into Quantum Realm and have to face this.”.

Paul Rudd talks about reprising this fan-favourite role.

Rudd: “I think that he really does want to be a dad and I think that’s his main focus, so he’s always had a love-hate relationship with it, I think. I feel he’s now accepted it and he’s happy most of it is in the rear-view mirror and now we can have normal life and spend time together. Doesn’t last as long as he thought that it would. He’s grown a lot over the course of the movies in nine years. He’s just a regular guy, regular job, brought into group with no innate super abilities but went up and fought Thanos. He’s experienced a thing or two and he’s accepted who he is.”.

“I wouldn’t say is taking a victory lap others but others might say that, he’s written a book – a bit of Memoir and explaining everything going on in life and his experience with Avengers. He’s ready to have some time and be a normal dad. There’s some issues there as we missed out on a lot and I want to recapture some of those years. Cassie is older and has ideas of her own. We’re trying to grapple with all of that.”.

Evangeline Lilly talks to what Hope Van Dyne is up to.

Lilly: “Hope started the first Ant-Man film a very cold, detached isolaled woman. She didn’t have a lot of relationships in her life, a lot of broken relationships . Over course of three films, I’ve had this incredible arc to be able to play where she has in that time, repaired her relationship with her father, reuinted with her long-lost mother and fallen in love with Scott and she’s become a stepmom to Cassie. Life is full of love. She’s a blossomed version of the woman we met. She’s thriving, taking that love and trying to do right in the world and fix massive issues and she’s doing it with success. Then there’s this missing piece where she’d always fantasized about her mother coming home one day when she was eight years old. And she really keeps hope on the outside. And that’s a wound that’s festering at the beginning of the Film.

Kevin Feige is asked what the Quantum Realm is:

Feige: “We first saw it in first Ant-Man film. This was an idea Paul had early on, ‘What if we explore this idea of Quantum Mechanics’?. Things act very different at a quantum level and Paul was talking about all the storytelling and the imagination you can have there. The first film is the origins story and at the end of it, we got a taste of it. That led to where we took it in Endgame. It’s a place at the subatomic level where space and time act differently. It allows us to time travel and have this entire manic quantumness in this Film which Janet had only seen before. There is an entire universe below surface where we meet fun, crazy characters.”.

Michael Douglas is asked about what draws audiences to the Ant-Man films.

Douglas: “I think the Ant-Man pictures refer to family a lot. There’s a certain vulnerability and a sense of humour that exists which is a pleasure. This is really joyful as i’m learning more about experience than I’ve known. There’s a fun element which seems to relate to all different ages. Someone like me, who’s mostly referenced to R-rated movies, this has been a pleasure having younger kids coming-up and enjoying it.”.

Michelle Pfeiffer talks about Janet Van Dyne‘s secrets and choices.

Pfeiffer: “After being reuinted with my husband Hank and daughter Hope after being rescued after 30 years in the Quantum Realm, she’s savouring this time together. She’s been decidedly so secretive about her time down there and not wanting to get into that until of course, we all find ourselves down in the parallel universe and world. She’s forced to come forth with the truth in a place where she’d hoped she’d never seee again. 30 years is a long time and people have needs, let’s not be judgmental. There’s lot of suprises for the family, for some more than others. Some choices are questionable. But they’re a very forgiving family. Her story is very much a part of the whole family secrets theme that runs through the Film.

Jonathan Majors talks about his villain Kang the Conqueror.

Majors: “Who’s Kang? That’s a question we will all be answering for a very long time. Quick answer, he’s a time-travelling super-villain who’s also a nexus being. There’s multple versions of Kang. They occupy different universes, mutli-verses and have different intentions. All different beings. There’s a through-line between them and that’s the Kang gene. In a nutshell, that’s all I got. Kang the Conqueror is stuck in the Quantum Realm and he has some issues with some variants he’s not about it. When he’s down there, he met Janet.”.

Kathryn Newton has dreamed of playing a superhero and gets her wish in ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA.

Newton: “Last night at the premiere, someone asked me what the first Marvel movie was that I saw. Iron-Man is what I said and that was the first one. I was eight. Since the first time I saw a Marvel movie, I wanted to be a superhero. That was my superlative in the yearbook. I really wanted to be a part of this. I went to the movies with my dad and really wanted to be a superhero. I told myself I wanted to be the biggest superhero of all time and it’s ironic Cassie grows 40 feet, which is proof dreams do come true.”.

Producer Stephen Broussand talks about the Freedom Fighters.

Broussand: ‘When we arrive in Quantum Realm, we get thrust into a battle because Kang the Conqueror has risen to power. We meet Freedom Fighters at the tip of the sphere fighting back. It was fun introducing new characters. We meet their leader Jentorra (Katie O’Brian), Quaz (William Jackson Harper) and David Dastmalchian playing the Alien, Veb. They’re serious about defending territory and pushing back against everything they find themselves in. People are really going to enjoy meeting them.”.

Marvel Studios Canada release ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA in theatres February 17, 2023.

Sony Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see TIFF ’22 selection DEVOTION starring Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Joe Jonas.

Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO – Monday, 11/21, 7PM @ Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas

VANCOUVER – Monday, 11/21, 7PM @ Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

Synopsis:

Devotion, an aerial war epic based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the harrowing true story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. Their heroic sacrifices would ultimately make them the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.

Directed by: JD Dillard

Screenplay by: Jake Crane & Jonathan A. H. Stewart

Based on the book by: Adam Makos

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments there, indicate your City. Re-Tweet the below for an additional chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Sony Pictures Canada release DEVOTION November 23, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

We proudly present the new Canadian Trailer for CREED III, the latest in this riveting series, this time around with star Michael B. Jordan direting.

Synopsis:

From Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures comes “Creed III,” with Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut and returning in the role of Adonis Creed in the third installment of the hit franchise. The film also stars Tessa Thompson (“Creed” franchise, “Passing”), Jonathan Majors (“Da 5 Bloods,” “Lovecraft Country”), Wood Harris (“Creed” franchise, “Blade Runner 2049”), Florian Munteanu (“Creed II,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), newcomer Mila Kent, and Phylicia Rashad (“Creed” franchise, “Soul”).

Jordan directs from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) & Zach Baylin (“King Richard”), from a story by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin. It is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Glickman and Sylvester Stallone. The executive producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern and Adam Rosenberg.

Jordan is joined behind the camera by director of photography Kramer Morgenthau (“Creed II,” “Thor: The Dark World”), production designer Jahmin Assa (“mid90s,” “Angelyne”), editor Tyler Nelson (“The Batman,” “Rememory”), costume designer Lizz Wolf (“Creed II,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising”), with a score by composer Joseph Shirley (“Jackass Forever,” “The Book of Boba Fett”).

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents A Chartoff-Winkler Production, “Creed III,” which will be distributed in North America by MGM and internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in territories beginning March 1, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

By David Baldwin

Ensign Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors, the future big bad of the MCU) is an outsanding pilot and the US Navy’s first black Aviator in history. Sadly, the racist troops around him do not think much of this incredible achievement. Enter Lieutenant Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) who joins Brown’s squadron just before they are deployed to fight in the Korean War. Hudner wants to get close to his new Wingman, but Brown is suspicious of his motivations.

The true story of Brown and what happened to him before, during and after Korea is incredible. That story is the beating heart of DEVOTION, and is the exact reason why the Film feels so disappointing and uninteresting. It merely goes through the motions telling the story and embellishing facts along the way, never really stopping for any moments of introspection or even reactions to some of the tragic things that happen. It is not given the love and attention it needs, and feels so callously put together rather than being a powerful story of Heroism and the strength of the human spirit. This is a story that deserves to be told, yet feels like it could and should have been done better. The flight scenes are great (even if they will unfavourably be compared to the ones in Top Gun: Maverick), the sound is top-notch as is the look of the Film. But if we are not really caring about the characters or the story, then why do any of these technical achievements matter?

All of that said, Majors is very good in the role of Brown. He feels a little stifled in some scenes, yet still manages to do an admirable job carrying the film under the weight of the lackluster script. Powell is wonderful as always, and supporting turns from Thomas Sadoski, Joseph Cross, Joe Jonas and especially Christina Jackson (playing Brown’s firecracker of a wife Daisy) are all well-done. I just wish they were all in a better movie.

DEVOTION screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 6:00pm

Wed, Sep 14 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 9:00pm

Thu, Sep 15 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 5:30pm

An outstanding Cast highlights THE HARDER THEY FALL, coming soon to Netflix. A look at the brand-new Trailer.

Synopsis: When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose. Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba revenge has never been served colder.

THE HARDER THEY FALL is in select theatres October 22, 2021 and on Netflix November 3, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

An incredible Cast star in THE HARDER THEY FALL, from Executive Producer Jay-Z!

Synopsis:

When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose. Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba revenge has never been served colder.

THE HARDER THEY FALL arrives on Netflix and in select theatres this Fall.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Spike Lee is back with DA 5 BLOODS, coming soon to Netflix! See the new Trailer!

Synopsis:
From Academy Award® Winner Spike Lee comes a New Joint: the story of four African American Vets — Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) — who return to Vietnam. Searching for the remains of their fallen Squad Leader (Chadwick Boseman) and the promise of buried treasure, our heroes, joined by Paul‘s concerned son (Jonathan Majors), battle forces of Man and Nature — while confronted by the lasting ravages of The Immorality of The Vietnam War.

See the Trailer:

DA 5 BLOODS streams on Netflix Friday, June 12, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

In case it wasn’t on your radar, CAPTIVE STATE hits theatres next month and looks riveting! Check-out its new Trailer:

Synopsis:
After 10 years of occupation, some chose cooperation, others chose resistance. Set in a Chicago neighbourhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, CAPTIVE STATE explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and the dissidents.

Cast: John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Majors, Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly), Vera Farmiga

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release CAPTIVE STATE Friday, March 15, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Jimmie Fails (Jimmie Fails) has one dream in life: to reclaim the Victorian house his family once lived in and grandfather built. When Jimmie and his only friend Montgomery (Jonathan Majors) find out the current owners of the house have moved out, they squat there and recreate the home Jimmie once knew.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco is the astonishing first feature debut of Director Joe Talbot. The Film is a sophisticated examination of gentrification and the effects it has on communities and individuals. Through focusing on one man’s story, the real-life story of Jimmie Fails, the themes are specific and therefore become universal. Fails, in playing a fictionalized version of himself, is enthralling to watch. His subtle performance adds texture to the already flawless Script and direction, while Majors gives a breakout performance as Fails’ supportive Playwright best friend. This is an essential viewing experience and will be watched and revisited years from now.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco screens at Sundance on Jan 26 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Jan 27 at 9:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan 31 at 6PM at Library Theatre SLC, Feb 1 at 8:30PM at Prospector PC, and Feb 2 at 8:45AM at Library PC.