#BOXOFFICE: “ELVIS” REIGNS OVER BUSY WEEKEND AT THE MOVIES

ELVIS reigns king of the Box Office, taking top spot in its debut with $31.5 million from 3,906 theatres for Warner Bros. on a very busy weekend at the Movies with the Top Five Movies each taking $20+ million! Almost unheard of! This latest effort from Director Baz Luhrmann gets 79% on the Tomatometer.

Taking second is TOP GUN: MAVERICK with $30 million from 3,948 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Total date it has brought-in $521 million domestically.

In third is two-week champ JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION with $26.1 million from 4,233 theatres for Universal Pictures, a total of $302 million in its third weekend of release.

Fourth is a debuting THE BLACK PHONE starring Ethan Hawke, with $23.2 million from 3,150 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Horror gets 83% on the Tomatometer.

Rounding things out is LIGHTYEAR with $20 million from 4,255 theatres for Disney in its second weekend out, a total $90 million to date.

#BOXOFFICE: “JURASSIC WORLD” HOLDS OFF “LIGHTYEAR”

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION for a second straight week demolishes the competition. In its second weekend, it pulls-in $66.2 million, a total $257.3 million from 4,697 theatres for Universal Pictures.

LIGHTYEAR which was expected to take the crown in its debut brightens up the Box Office settles for #2 at $55 million from 4,255 theatres for Disney, This origins story for the hero who inspired the Toy Story character and voiced by Chris Evans, gets 78% on the Tomatometer. Though not a a part of the Toy Story franchise, by comparison 2019’s Toy Story 4 opened with $120 million in North America.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK still is in-flight with $46.5 million from 4,035 theatres for Paramount Pictures, taking it to $468 million in its domestic run.

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is in fourth with $3.8 million for Disney, a total $404 million grossed to date.

Fifth spot goes to THE BAD GUYS with $4 million in its eighth weekend for Universal Pictures.

#SPOTTED: UZO ADUBA IN TORONTO FOR “LIGHTYEAR”

Primetime EMMY and Critics’ Choice Award-winning Actress Uzo Aduba returned to Toronto to promote Disney and Pixar’s LIGHTYEAR! The Animated Feature is the origins story behind the hero who inspired the Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear.

Aduba, who is known best for her award-winning work on Orange is the New Black as “Crazy Eyes” and also MRS. AMERICA, filmed right here in Toronto, has visited the City for those titles and also TIFF for the Film American Pastoral. She plays the supportive Alisha Hawthorne in Lightyear.

Aduba was out and about doing the Morning Show circuit with appearances on Breakfast Television and The Morning Show, looking stunning in a neon dress and gorgeous Bob. She was so sweet!

See our Snap:

LIGHTYEAR already is winning raves. See our thoughts on it here.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release LIGHTYEAR Friday, June 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

#INTERVIEW: “LIGHTYEAR”

It’s the definitive story behind Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the beloved Toy Story character, and its set to win the hearts of Moviegoers this Summer. Disney and Pixar‘s LIGHTYEAR features the voice of Chris Evans and we were so thrilled to sit down in a Virtual Press Junket for the Film.

Participating at the Junket, which our Justin Waldman had the pleasure of attending, were:

Galyn Susman – Producer
Angus MacLane – Writer/Director
Michael Giacchino – Composer
Chris Evans – Buzz Lightyear
Keke Palmer – Izzy Hawthorne
Dale Soules – Darby Steel
Taika Waititi- Mo Morrison
James Brolin – Emperor Zurg
Peter Sohn – Sox

Angus MacLane who co-directed Finding Dory, talks about developing and pitching the idea of this Film.

MacLane: “The idea came to me because I always wanted to know about the backstory of the Space Rangers, Star Command and Buzz Lightyear – what the Movie is for that. I also wanted to make something that was fun to make after doing Dory, which was fun but it was really challenging when you have a protagonist that’s always forgetting everything about what they want. So I thought, why don’t we make a cool Sci-Fi Movie? That’s the way I pitched it. What’s the Movie that Andy (the boy in Toy Story) saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear figure? Why don’t we just make something awesome, that’s simple like that? Just make that geeky Buzz Lightyear movie and just make an adventure of that? That was the simple idea we sold to the Studio.”.

Michael Giacchino oversaw the Film’s Score and talks about his childhood and what Disney films meant to him growing-up.

Giacchino: “These are the movies I grew-up on. I pretty much was raised on them. One of the things I used to do was sneak a small tape recorder into the theatre so that I could – when I was a kid – record the Movie Audio so that I could have the audience response – all of that on it – and I would listen to it. There was no internet when I was growing up. That was the only way for me to experience that Movie again out of the theatre, was to listen to it. I would record them and at home every night I would play them under my pillow because I loved to listen how the Sound works in these movies. And how Music worked with Sound Effects and Dialogue and all of that. It’s ingrained in my head in a massive way. If someone asked me at 12-years-old, ‘Hey! You get to make your own one of these things. What do you want to do with it?’. I’m like, ‘Great! I would do THIS!’. That’s what I love so much about working with Angus. Often we’d get sidelined into these crazy conversations about a Movie from a certain era or a Character Actor from certain era. We have so much love for what came before and what introduced us to everything we’re now playing with today.”.

Star Chris Evans is asked about how he brought something new to a character we all love and adore so much already in Buzz Lightyear.

Evans: “I loved getting to explore a Character we all know so well and in a slightly more nuanced interpretation. The Buzz we all know is a toy and as a toy there are certain ways they go about the world without the weight that we carry. A toy knows its purpose, a toy doesn’t have to worry about disease or the choices that we have to make.”.

Evans also talks about his relationship with Buzz Lightyear before being cast in this Film, plus he reveals which other Disney Character he would love to play.

Evans: “I love Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story. When Toy Story came out, it kicked the doors down in terms of a new approach to the Medium, so I was thrilled and excited to know there was more to come. I love all the characters in Toy Story deeply. If there were another character to play, I don’t think I could pull it off. But I am a big an of Robin Hood, the old animated Disney Film. I just thought Robin Hood was so cool. When I think of all the Animated Characters in the Disney library, Robin Hood stands alone. He’s smooth, charming and capable, and I don’t have that cool British accent, but I’d love a crack!”.

Keke Palmer tells us about connecting to her Character, Izzy Hawthorne, discovering who she was and what she cared about most.

Palmer: “Her love for her grandmother Alisha, and the legacy she wants to uphold. She wants to make her family proud and I think that’s something we can all relate to. And the fact that she’s not afraid to pivot. I really admire that about her. I feel she displays so many great leadership qualities because sometimes she gets overshadowed. She knows how to push her friends forward, and she knows how to see something in somebody so that they can carry out their duties. She empowers others and I love the character.”.

Taika Waititi stars as Mo Morisson, who is more understated than some of the other characters he’s played in his career. He has made Marvel films as we all know, but he talks about how he approaches Pixar films differently.

Waititi: “I think with Pixar especially, it’s the relentless pursuit of a perfect Story. I go back to them time and time again not just for entertainment or to feel something emotional, but I got back to study how they structure their Films and the Economy of Storytelling, the way that they write their Scripts. And knowingly, they just get it right every time. So I’m not afraid to rip-off those practices that they use, because it’s inspiring as a Filmmaker to see these guys make these perfect films every time.”.

Screen Legend James Brolin talks about that resonated most with him with the Film.

Brolin: “I walked in, didn’t know who I am or what my lines were, so that was a tough one. I saw an unfinished, unpolished version of the Film without Music, and actually realized then that my Character was much more complex than that I had imagined. Even at this point I’m not supposed to tell you everything that Zurg is. Certainly multiple personalities and a Con Man. And could I say even a Shrink and an Alter-Ego? There’s so many things to learn from this Movie. There’s a lot of messages about how we approach things and how we solve our problems, and how we avoid them.”.

Peter Sohn talks about Sox the Cat‘s scene-stealing performance here and if he foresees a Spinoff.

Sohn: “I don’t want any of that burden! What are you talking about? The curse of that burden. I love Sox and I’ve been real lucky hanging-out with all of you right now, doing this process has been awesome.”.

Dale Soules talks about her thoughts on a potential Spinoff for Darby Steel.

Soules: “I’d like to see more Darby and Sox and their own adventure. I love Sox, though you don’t see that part of her very much. There’s an expression on the face of the animated Darby when Buzz thanks her and says ‘Nice job, elderly convict’. There’s a look on her face that says what I’d like to see more of. It’s not sentimental, mushy but it’s more like, ‘Okay, I gotcha. I hear you.’. I’d like to see more of that attitude in the Series.”.

Disney and Pixar’s LIGHTYEAR arrives in theatres June 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney and Pixar)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES TO SEE DISNEY & PIXAR’S “LIGHTYEAR”

Walt Disney Studios Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see Disney & Pixar‘s LIGHTYEAR! This is the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy.

Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Screening Details

Toronto

Wednesday, June 15

7:30pm @ Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas

Vancouver

Wednesday, June 15

7:30pm @ Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

Calgary

Wednesday, June 15

7:00pm @ Cineplex Odeon Westhills Cinemas

Edmonton

Wednesday, June 15

7:00pm @ Cineplex Odeon Windermere Cinemas

Montreal

Wednesday, June 15

7:00pm @ Cineplex Cinemas Forum

SYNOPSIS:

A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside a group of ambitious recruits (voices of Keke Palmer, Dale Soules and Taika Waititi), and his robot companion Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). Also joining the cast are Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”), “Lightyear” releases June 17, 2022. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You also can Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for another chance! Please remember to indicate your City.

Enter for a chance to #win Advance Screening Passes to see #Lightyear.   https://t.co/ajjAAMU68r pic.twitter.com/GjSMNpNiVz

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) June 3, 2022

Rules and regulations here.

NOTE: Do not accept their party messages and friend requests asking for your personal information. Winners will be contacted only by this official account.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release Disney & Pixar‘s LIGHTYEAR in theatres June 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER + POSTER FOR “LIGHTYEAR”

Disney and Pixar present a new Trailer and Poster for LIGHTYEAR, the origins story of BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, the hero who inspired the character in TOY STORY!

Synopsis:

“Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda. A new poster and images are also available. 

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”), “Lightyear” opens only in theatres on June 17, 2022.

LIGHTYEAR arrives in theatres JUNE 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “LIGHTYEAR”

Chris Evans lends his voice to Disney and Pixar‘s LIGHTYEAR, an origins story to the eventual Toy Story hero. Your first look at the Trailer below.

Synopsis:

 Releasing June 17, 2022, the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. “Buzz’s world was always something I was excited about,” said director Angus MacLane. “In ‘Toy Story,’ there seemed to be this incredible backstory to him being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further. So my ‘Lighytear’ pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.”

Joining the previously announced Chris Evans, who lends his voice to Buzz, are Keke Palmer, Dale Soules and Taika Waititi as a group of ambitious recruits. Peter Sohn voices Buzz’s robot companion, Sox, and the cast also includes the voices of Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez and Isiah Whitlock Jr. “The cast for ‘Lightyear’ is truly a dream team,” said MacLane. “Each of the performers immediately inhabited their character, which gave us the opportunity to play a bit during recording sessions. This resulted in a level of specificity that elevated the material and brought additional depth to the characters’ relationships. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented and generous cast.”

LIGHTYEAR arrives June 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)