Three-time Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep goes electric and takes on a whole new gig – a hard-rocking singer/guitarist – for Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in the uplifting comedy Ricki and the Flash.  In a film loaded with music and live performance, Streep stars as Ricki, a guitar heroine who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom, but is now returning home to make things right with her family.  Streep stars opposite her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer, who plays her fictional daughter; Rick Springfield, who takes on the role of a Flash member in love with Ricki; and Kevin Kline, who portrays Ricki’s long-suffering ex-husband.

Sony Pictures Canada release RICKI AND THE FLASH on Friday, August 7, 2015.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

Well, this certainly won’t sell-out! Amazing news, Toronto! The Queen of Cinema herself, MERYL STREEP after canceling on us at TIFF ’13 for the Premiere of August: Osage County, leaving thousands of Fans disappointed and having to settle for a little known Star named Julia Roberts – I kid.  She will be in our City on Saturday, October 17, 2015!

The Royal Conservatory of Music has announced the Streep will be appearing at Koerner Hall as part of their 2015-2016 season which in recent years has seen the likes of The Bacon Brothers and Idina Menzel grace its stage. The three-time Oscar Winner will be reading from Philip Roth’s Novel Everyman. Joining the three-time Academy Award Winner will be The Takács Quartet as they perform pieces such as Schubert’s Death and the Maiden together with Streep‘s readings.

We’ve only had the privilege of seeing Streep from afar years ago when she appeared at the Royal Ontario Museum.  Hopefully we’ll get better Snaps this time around.  THE QUEEN OF LIFE.

Visit for more information here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The names Billy Magnussen and Mackenzie Mauzy may have you scrambling for the IMDB App on your phone, but come Christmas, millions around the World will fall in love with them. The two Actors are in Toronto for a two-day Press Tour in support of Rob Marshall‘s INTO THE WOODS, which is set to pull-in huge numbers at the Box Office.

Being fresh faces among a v. seasoned and well-recognized Cast surely isn’t an easy challenge, but the Pair who play the Prince and Rapunzel in the Brothers Grimm Pastiche strung together by the Music of Stephen Sondheim, actually are quite great.  Fans of the Broadway Music on which this Film Adaptation is based and Movielovers will be delighted by some phenomenal performances by the likes of Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and several more!  And did we mention just how fantastic Streep is as The Witch? Even she flexes some new muscles here!

Mauzy who is most recognized for her work in Soap Operas like The Bold and the Beautiful and Guiding Light gets the opportunity to utilize her theatre chops and excels.  Magnussen, whom we met while filming The Divide in Toronto earlier this year, is dashing here and expect big things to come as he appears in Steven Spielberg‘s still-untitled Cold War project starring Tom Hanks.

I caught up with Magnussen and Mauzy on one of their stopoffs, Global Television‘s The Morning Show, where they had a friendly couch chat with Liza Fromer.  Despite being in a rush to leave, they still took time out to pose for a quick Photo and Mauzy despite her Handler being clear about her one autograph policy, was giving, signing as she walked her way to her Car.

See the Interview here.

See our Snaps:

Mackenzie Mauzy

The delightful and lovely #MackenzieMauzy, who is brilliant in #IntoTheWoods! #Rapunzel @mackenziemauzy

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:47am PST

Billy Magnussen

So nice seeing #BillyMagnussen again! Mark my words, he is going to be a huge star! #IntoTheWoods #Rapunzel #Prince @billymagnussen

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:46am PST

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release INTO THE WOODS on Christmas Day!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Marc Hom)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada and Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to an Advance Screening of the star-studded spectacle INTO THE WOODS  first this Holiday Season!  Screenings take place in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Winnipeg on Wednesday, December 17, 2014.

Official Synopsis:

INTO THE WOODS is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

INTO THE WOODS stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski and Johnny Depp; Academy Award Nominee Rob Marshall directs.

Watch the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, tell me your City in the comments of this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.  Name for me also your favourite Brothers Grimm Character of all time and tell me why!   You get an extra chance by Re-Tweeting the below or sharing this Post from Facebook with your Friends!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/intothewoods @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #INTOTHEWOODS. In theatres Christmas!

Good luck, Willionaires!

“Like” INTO THE WOODS on Facebook here.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release INTO THE WOODS  Christmas Day.

©2014 DISNEY

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

JUST WOW! The Final Trailer for Rob Marshall‘s INTO THE WOODS has been cut and released for our repeat viewing pleasure.  We’ve seen the Teasers, we’ve seen the Stills but we are blown away how magical and glorious it looks!  What a Spectacle!  This latest Trailer showcases Goddess Meryl Streep as The Witch, singing.

Official Synopsis:

INTO THE WOODS is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

Watch the Final Trailer:

“Like” INTO THE WOODS on Facebook here.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release INTO THE WOODS on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

I’ll always remember INTO THE WOODS as the one Musical I didn’t make the cut for in High School. I bawled my eyes out.  Nonethless, I still am excited to see the Feature Adaptation of the popular Musical with Music/Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Academy Award-winning Rob Marshall.

See these gorgeous  brand-new Stills and Teaser Trailer from the Film starring Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, Billy Magnussen, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Meryl Streep and several more! Its Story intertwines several of our favourite Characters from The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, an interest which undoubtely was sparked by the popularity of the Series Once Upon a Time surely.

See the Teaser Trailer below:

See the new Images below:

Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada release INTO THE WOODS on Christmas Day 2014.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

The World of Cinema Elite made their way to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight for the 86th annual Academy Awards.  Praised as both a  strong year for Red Carpet Fashion and Film with a heated battle between American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, among others for Best Picture, ultimately 12 Years a Slave would prevail with top honours tonight.

The Drama based on the Memoir by Solomon Northrup, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, before going-on to sweep a litany of accolades this Awards Season including victories at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Broadcast Film Critics Association  and the Independent Spirit Awards just yesterday. In addition, to winning coveted Best Picture, it won also for Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Alfonso Cuarón‘s Gravity, which has grossed over $700 million worldwide, also premiering at TIFF this last Fall, won the most Oscars this evening, tallying-in at seven wins, primarily in technical categories including Cinematography, Score and Visual Effects. Cuarón himself went-on to win for Directing.

AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club won the important Actor and Supporting Actor Categories with Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto respectively.  Both brought along their Mothers to the Awards, the latter making a heartfelt tribute to his Mother who overcame great odds to provide for both him and his Brother.

As predicted by many, Cate Blanchett now is a two-time Oscar Winner, her first win coming for her work in 2004’s The Aviator. The Australian Actress won for her empathetic portrayal of a Woman coping with mental and addiction issues in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.

The Fashion on the Red Carpet tonight was a huge draw as several Fans via Social Media sounded-off on the tasteful styles of Kate Hudson in Versace, Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, Amy Adams in Gucci, Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab and perhaps the most-talked-about was a Princess-like Lupita Nyong’o in what is now being called a “Nairobi Blue” Prada Dress with a Hairband.  The light pastel blue Creation was chosen by the eventual Oscar Winner, who told Ryan Seacrest on the Red Carpet that it reminded the Kenyan Native of Nairobi.

Ellen DeGeneres once again did a bang-up job, making herself right at home with the A-List Audience, poking fun at everything from welcoming Liza Minnelli as a Female Impersonator, to some of this year’s Nominees who didn’t attend College (the Camera panned on Amy Adams nodded her head, admitting she too didn’t attend) to bringing out Pizza to some of the Evening’s famous Guests.  Meryl Streep was one of the first to help herself to a slice.  In addition, DeGeneres was out to set a record for the Most Re-Tweeted Selfie and helping her along were the likes of Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Jared Leto, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Quickly, the Photo received over a million Re-Tweets (overtaking a previous Tweet from President Obama upon his Re-Election) and could’ve received more if it weren’t for reported technical difficulties likely due to the onslaught of traffic.

See it below:

See more Photos here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ellen DeGeneres)

Is it safe to assume we’ll all be seeing this Christmas 2014?  Production for Disney‘s upcoming Live-Action Adaptation of the Musical Into the Woods is well under way in London and just released is this first Still featuring MERYL STREEP!

Into the Woods merges Characters from our favourite Brothers Grimm Stories and together they are taught a lesson by a Witch (Meryl Streep), with an original Story centering on a Baker and his Wife whom are cast under her Spell.  The Witch hopes to reverse a Curse so that her beauty can be restored. Characters include Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and Little Red Riding Hood.  

Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Lucy Punch, Tracey Ullman and Christine Baranski also star.  Yes, it will be that good.

Academy Award-winning Director Rob Marshall (my favourite!) who has time after time stuns our senses with Films like Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha and NINE, helms the Musical.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures releases INTO THE WOODS on Christmas Day 2014.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

There is absolutely no way this isn’t going to be amazing. Based on the Award-winning Play August: Osage County, The Weinstein Co. just released this brand new Trailer for this  upcoming Film Adaptation.  It centers around three strong-willed Women brought back to the Midwest after a Crisis takes place, reuniting them with the dysfunctional Woman who raised them;  John Wells (Shameless, ER) directs.

Take a deep breath.  The Cast includes: Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard and of course, MERYL STREEP!

August: Osage County looks to deliver tons of sass and lands in theatres November 8, 2013.  

Watch the Trailer:

Those of you attending TIFF ’13 can see it first:
Monday, September 9, 2013 – Roy Thomson Hall at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM

(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co./eOne Films)

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)