From the genius mind of Jordan Peele, comes “NOPE“.

Synopsis:

Oscar^® winner Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with Get Out and then Us. Now, he reimagines the summer movie with a new pop nightmare: the expansive horror epic, Nope. 

The film reunites Peele with Oscar^® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), who is joined by Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar^® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, Okja) as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery. 

Nope, which co-stars Michael Wincott (Hitchcock, Westworld) and Brandon Perea (The OA, American Insurrection), is written and directed by Jordan Peele and is produced by Ian Cooper (Us, Candyman) and Jordan Peele for Monkeypaw Productions. The film will be released by Universal Pictures worldwide.

Universal Pictures Canada release NOPE July 22, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

JUNETEENTH is a day that has historically recognized the perseverance and power of the Black community.

Over the last two years, taking time to recognize and reflect on this holiday has only gained added significance.

Black art, and Black storytelling in particular, provides audiences the opportunity to see both the reality and the possibility of Black lives in America.

Candyman first appeared on film in Bernard Rose’s 1992 cult classic as a vengeful, mystical entity, a victim of a brutal hate crime who externalizes his pain in the same community that once turned against him.

Nia DaCosta found inspiration to bring Candyman into a new age. As director of this year’s CANDYMAN, she has created a film rooted in horror that reframes the Candyman legend with new urgency.

Produced by Jordan Peele, this film is an exciting, terrifying, entertaining, scary-as-hell horror film that also speaks to the movement and momentum of Black lives now.

See DaCosta‘s special message on JUNETEENTH:

As a reminder, Emancipation Day is August 1, 2021.

CANDYMAN is in theatres August 27, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The internet is abuzz about CANDYMAN, this reimagination of the Horror classic, written and produced by Jordan Peele, directed by Nia DaCosta.

Synopsis:
Don’t say his name.

This summer, Oscar® winner Jordan Peele unleashes a fresh take on the blood-chilling urban legend that your friend’s older sibling probably told you about at a sleepover: Candyman. Rising filmmaker Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) directs this contemporary incarnation of the cult classic.

For as long as residents can remember, the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times into a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; HBO’s Watchmen, Us) and his girlfriend, gallery director Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris; If Beale Street Could Talk, The Photograph), move into a luxury loft condo in Cabrini, now gentrified beyond recognition and inhabited by upwardly mobile millennials.

With Anthony’s painting career on the brink of stalling, a chance encounter with a Cabrini Green old-timer (Colman Domingo; HBO’s Euphoria, Assassination Nation) exposes Anthony to the tragically horrific nature of the true story behind Candyman. Anxious to maintain his status in the Chicago art world, Anthony begins to explore these macabre details in his studio as fresh grist for paintings, unknowingly opening a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifyingly viral wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.

See the Trailer:

CANDYMAN is in theatres Friday, June 12, 2020.

It was amazing night celebrating Amazon Prime Video’s gritty new Series, HUNTERS. The gripping Series produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) is set late ’70s in New York City. We are taken to a violent underworld where Holocaust survivors and Nazis are out for blood, settling unfinished business. As a once-again brilliant Al Pacino‘s character Meyer Offerman says, “The best revenge is revenge” and the Series sets-out to do that, exacting catharsis through bloody, gory revenge.

The Series feels authentic to the era and we meet several fascinating characters including Jonah played beautifully by Logan Lerman, out to avenge the loss of his grandmother. We meet also Detective Millie Morris (Jerrika Hinton) who is hot on the trail of a murder spree, ready to uncover some dark secrets she might not be prepared for.

Hunters is a must-watch and applause was loud after a screening at The Danforth Music Hall tonight. Kudos to Aamazon Prime Video for outdoing themselves on a great bash, inspired by the surroundings where HUNTERS is set. The fun, festive ’70s bash took us right into the streets of New York, complete with graffiti, cops, break dancers, pretzels, candied nuts and hot dogs. ET Canada’s Morgan Hoffman hosted the evening which saw guests leaving with collectible puzzles from the Series.

In case you haven’t seen it, here is a Trailer to HUNTERS:

Some Snaps from the night. Click right to navigate album:

 

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Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of US on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.

Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.

After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.  Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance to win!

US is in stores Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment/Universal Pictures)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.

The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.

But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.

Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.

At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.

Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Us follows a family on vacation who soon realize they are being hunted by a family, who look exactly like them.

Writer-Director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the spectacular Get Out is a suspenseful, frightening and at once stylish piece. Once again Peele has crafted an entirely unique Film, for the second time in a row, that will shock and stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

His phenomenal Cast, who are playing two characters each, are a mix of seasoned Actors and those who are just getting their start. Lupita Nyong’o has reached new heights as the unrelenting Adeline and her doppelganger. Winston Duke gets to show his range with a comedic and layered performance. Elisabeth Moss is a standout as the liquor-infused family friend. And the two Actors who steal the show are Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as the children and their twisted doppelgangers. The many twists and beautiful dual imagery that’s displayed throughout proves that Peele is an undeniable talent.

Us only has one screening at SXSW and that is on March 8 at 6:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to see US at an advance screening!

Screenings take place in Toronto + Montreal on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.

Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.

After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.

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 to win!

US is in theatres Friday, March 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The buzz for US continues to build feverishly. If you missed last night’s Super Bowl TV Spot, you must check it out here!

Synopsis:
Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us, from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.

Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family.

After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers (Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Cali Sheldon, Noelle Sheldon), Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home to discover the silhouettes of four figures standing in their driveway. Us pits an ordinary American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release US Friday, March 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The 90th Academy Awards took place at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight. Sweeping top honours after gaining the most nominations (13) was Guillermo del Toro‘s Toronto-filmed Fantasy The Shape of Water winning four awards including Best Picture, Directing, Production Design and Original Score. The Film’s Toronto Crew celebrating tonight at Palais Royale, were credited for being a part of the Film’ success. del Toro, who has been vocal about his love for Toronto using the City regularly to base his productions, encouraged other Genre Filmmakers to continue breaking ground with the door he helped open.

See del Toro’s speech:

#ShapeOfWater‘s Guillermo Del Toro wins for Best Director at the 90th #Oscars! Don’t miss this amazing speech! pic.twitter.com/g0T9ICGtSn

— ABC Network (@ABCNetwork) March 5, 2018

While many saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as the favourite to win Best Picture, it still took acting honours for Leading Actress with Frances McDormand and Supporting Actor with Sam Rockwell. McDormand gave a memorable speech which had her laughing nervously, devoting her time on-stage getting all her fellow female nominees to stand together in a call for inclusion and equality.  Both The Shape of Water and this premiered at TIFF ’17 with the latter winning the coveted People’s Choice Award and the two are released by Fox Searchlight.

See McDormand’s speech:

Best Actress winner Frances McDormand rallies the crowd. Presented by @ATT. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/6loAtYheKZ

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 5, 2018

Dunkirk‘s win tally would come in at three with scores for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Film Editing. Blade Runner 2049 by Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve, would win for Cinematography and Visual Effects. Disney’s Coco was awarded Animated Feature and also for Original Song with Remember Me, performed on the broadcast by Gael García Bernal, Miguel and Natalie Lafourcade. Call Me By Your Name earned one win for Adapted Screenplay. Allison Janney nabbed Supporting Actress for her work in I, Tonya, which presenter Jodie Foster who appeared on-stage in crutches, would joke that Meryl Streep was responsible for her injury, having “I, Tonya-ed” her.

The Evening was hosted by Funnyman Jimmy Kimmel who tackled head-on several issues of now including #MeToo and #TimesUp using case in point, the substantial pay gap between Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams on re-shoots for nominated All the Money in the World. Despite both being represented by William Morris Endeavor, Wahlberg was paid eight-times Williams‘ salary, although the former made right by donating his earnings to #TimesUp.

Kimmel joked that the Oscar statue is the ideal man in that he “keeps his hands to himself, never says a rude word and doesn’t have a penis. He is a statue of limitations”.  A running joke for the evening was that the winner with the shortest speech would win a jet ski in the same vein as The Price is Right, which Leading Actor winner Gary Oldman was clear he wouldn’t be winning as he took his time thanking those responsible for his success. Oldman‘s Film Darkest Hour would win also for Makeup.

See Kimmel‘s running joke with the help of Helen Mirren:

Following an outcry that the Oscars lacked diversity, that certainly was addressed full force this year and repeatedly the theme of inclusion was brought-up throughout the night.  We would see female nominees in categories like Directing (Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird) and Cinematography (Rachel Morrison, Mudbound) and first-time Nominee Jordan Peele winning Original Screenplay for Get Out. A Fantastic Woman starring Chilean transgender Actress Daniela Vega, would win Foreign Language Film.  Basketball icon Kobe Bryant also would win his first Oscar for Animated Short Film, Dear Basketball.

Complete list of winners here.

(Photo/video credit: The Academy/Getty Images/ABC)