#INTERVIEW: SAM WORTHINGTON, ROBBIE AMELL, MASA LIZDEK & APRIL MULLEN ON “SIMULANT”

By Mr. Will Wong

April Mullen‘s SIMULANT got the Red Carpet treatment tonight at Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. The Sci-Fi Thriller was filmed in and around Toronto last year. Stars Sam Worthington, Robbie Amell, Masa Lizdek, Emmanuel Kabongo and Mullen were in attendance at the affair, brought to us by Mongrel Media and Telefilm Canada. Italia Ricci also came out to support her husband, Amell!

The Film looks at the consequences of Artificial Intelligence in a world where simulated versions of humans are looking to access the same things that their human counterparts have. At the center of the story is a woman named Faye (Jordana Brewster) who is torn between her love for her late husband Evan (Amell) and his surviving simulated version. The gorgeously-shot Feature certainly leaves audiences thinking and also stars Toronto’s Simu Liu as well.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Mullen and the Cast of SIMULANT.

Masa Lizdek plays an Android named Lisa. She has built a solid body of work appearing in productions like The Handmaid’s Tale, Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries and TIFF selection, THE WAITING ROOM. She tells us about this amazing opportunity, starring alongside a prolific Cast. All she had to do was be herself in the audition.

Lizdek: “‘I remember asking my agent, ‘Do you think I should go all out and put on this wig?’ and she was like, ‘Just go as yourself, look like your headshot. Don’t be extra, Masa. Just calm down’. Low and behold, being super-natural paid off, April liked what she saw and she offered me the role. I was more than happy to take that.”.

She tells about the extensive work that went into her makeup, costume and prosthetics.

Lizdek: “So they did a lifelike cast of me, silicon mold that was later silicon-cast, and then it was patinaed to give a nice skin tone. There was a styrofoam wig involved, we put on some lashes. We played a bit with teeth, I don’t think that worked out. Some contact lenses…”.

April Mullen who has been behind the lens in films like Wander, Below Her Mouth and series like The 100, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Wynonna Earp and several more, helms SIMULANT. She tells us about her decision to jump aboard this project, which was filmed over 20-plus days under some unpredictable weather conditions.

Mullen: “At the beginning, I read the Script actually eight years ago with AI technology was not like what it is now at all. It felt a lot more far-fetch and Sci-Fi to be honest. But the ending tore me up so much that I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know who I was rooting for of the main characters. The Simulants were almost more appealing than the human beings because they were so focussed on one role, which was love. It opened-up a whole can of worms in my brain because I’ve always been an advocate for humanity. I just couldn’t sleep and had to make this next film.”.

We ask Mullen what she hopes the audience will take away from this Film.

Mullen: “I hope audiences really look inward, think about what they saw and reflect on it because I think AI technology is getting closer and closer to becoming intimate partners in friendships and relationships. We’re losing connection between ourselves that we’re almost becoming more isolated because we’re entertained in our own little boxes. What I think is so beautiful about humanity is that we can touch hands – I see a father and daughter tying a shoe and I’m inspired to make Art. I don’t want to lose that.”.

Toronto’s own Robbie Amell talks about playing a dual role in one as the real Evan and the other, his simulated counterpart.

Amell: “The nice thing is when April and I talked about it, you’re not supposed to know that they’re Sims. They’re supposed to be very real. They’re supposed to be very real and the Sim should have all the memories that Evan had. So really I’m just playing one character until he finds out that he’s a Sim. And then things start to change a little bit. There’s that moment he opens the door and he just walks away from it. It’s built into his programming he’s not allowed in there, so it shouldn’t feel weird to him at all.”.

With the Film having Simu Liu‘s name literally in its title, we had to ask what it was like working with the Shang-Chi star.

Amell: “I’m a huge Marvel fan and a huge Simu fan. I saw Shang-Chi in theatres, I loved it. Immediately when we worked together, I asked him about the bus scene and he’s awesome. He’s super-fun, super-prepared and he knows his stuff, he’s very funny and super-talented. I’m very happy he’s getting the success he’s getting and I was super happy to work with him.”.

Avatar leading man Sam Worthington had a day off and Toronto was fortuante enough to have him back. He plays Artificial Intelligence Compliance Enforcement (AICE) agent Kessler (Sam Worthington), who is out to target SIMs. He reflects upon his experience filming in and around Toronto.

Worthington: “Well we had to drive down to Hamilton a lot, so that’s a long trip, but I like the people – they’re friendly.”.

He tells us what he felt was the toughest thing about embody Kessler.

Worthington: “Getting the costume right. I kinda built that from the outside. I kinda had a costume I wanted to wear… and then you have to convince the Director you’re on a different track.”.

Asides from the next installment of Avatar, he tells us what we can expect next.
Worthington: “I’m doing Kevin Costner‘s movies (Horizon) There’s four films.”.

A reel of highlights from the night:

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Mongrel Media release SIMULANT in theatres April 7, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media/Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: AVATAR DAY DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Today, The Walt Disney Company is celebrating “Avatar Day” with the debut of the final trailer for “Avatar: The Way of Water,” James Cameron’s highly anticipated follow-up to his Academy Award®-winning “Avatar,” tonight during “Monday Night Football” game, which airs at 8:15PM ET on TSN. Fans counting the days to the film’s December 16th theatrical release can purchase tickets wherever tickets are sold.  Now fans, communities and organizations can arrange group bookings and theatre buy-outs by visiting:  https://www.avatartickets.ca/

Celebration events are taking place all over the world, including Venice–where its famous canals were turned blue with a projection on the water and buildings, Sydney–where the iconic Bondi Beach Icebergs Pool was transformed into a giant blue birds’ eye view billboard for the film, and New York City’s famed Times Square, where at approximately 7PM EST, “Avatar: the Way of Water” will simultaneously light up 40 digital screens, immersing viewers in an anamorphic 3D, nearly 360 degree experience of Pandora’s breathtaking underwater world. 

The following gala premieres for the film were announced:

London – December 6 (World Premiere)

Seoul – December 9

Tokyo – December 10

Los Angeles – December 12

Disney also revealed that Snapchat has created an augmented reality Lens that turns any Snapchatter into a Na’vi. Every Snapchatter will get a personalized experience. The Lens uses machine learning to transform in real-time their mouth, eyes, head shape, hair and skin – complete with blue-striped texture – as if they came straight from Pandora.

World class global promotional partners, including Mercedes-Benz, NYX Professional Makeup – L’Oréal Groupe, will support the film with massive media campaigns and first to market activations.

And finally, beginning today in celebration of “Avatar Day,” the original 2009 “Avatar” is once again available to stream on Disney+.

With “Avatar: The Way of Water,”  the cinematic experience reaches new heights as Cameron transports audiences back to the magnificent world of Pandora in a spectacular and stirring action-packed adventure.

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive,  and the tragedies they endure. 

Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. Screenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER AND POSTER FOR “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER”

Today we get a new Trailer and Poster for upcoming Holiday release, James Cameron‘s eagerly-awaited AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.

Synopsis:

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.

Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. Screenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.

AVATAR arrives in theatres December 16, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios Canada)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “EVEREST”

Universal Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers in select cities to see the gripping star-studded Thriller, EVEREST! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.

Synopsis:

Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.

The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Artwork:

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. In the comments, indicate your City and tell me about your worst ever snowstorm. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/everest @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #EVERESTMovie. In theatres 9/18!

G’luck, Willionaire$!

Universal Pictures Canada release EVEREST on Friday, September 18, 2015 and everywhere in IMAX Friday, September 25, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#TIFF14: DAY 5 RECAP – CHANNING TATUM, STEVE CARELL, JOEL MCHALE, ROSE BYRNE, BOBBY CANNAVALE, NICK KROLL, JENA MALONE, HAILEE STEINFELD, BRIT MARLING, SAM WORTHINGTON, REESE WITHERSPOON, COREY STOLL, TINA FEY + MORE

It was yet another action-packed day at TIFF ‘14 with several Stars doing the rounds. Although it is no longer the crazy bustle of the weekend, there still is much left with many more Stars to see as we reach the half-way point of the Festival.

The Press Conference for Shawn Levy’s This is Where I Leave You consumed most of our morning, the Drama about a Family of Siblings who are forced to live under one roof again after the passing of their Father.

Tina Fey (This is Where I Leave You)

Abigail Spencer (The Forger, This is Where I Leave You)

Jane Fonda (This is Where I Leave You)

Throughout the day, we caught up with the Cast of The Keeping Room, an American Civil War-set Drama about Wives left behind to fend for themselves against Rogue Soldiers.

Brit Marling (The Keeping Room)

Hailee Steinfeld (The Keeping Room)

Sam Worthington (The Keeping Room and Cake)

We are on Cloud Nine today particularly after getting our own Photo Op with double Oscar-Contender Reese Witherspooon who gave her all for Fans today prior to attending her Press Conference for The Good Lie.  She did back-t0-back Press Junkets and was just as lovely for her Fans at the Wild Conference.

Reese Witherspoon (Wild, The Good Lie)

Corey Stoll (This is Where I Leave You and The Good Lie)

Emmanuel Jal (The Good Lie)

Earlier this evening, we checked-out to the Red Carpet Premiere for Comedy Adult Beginners, about an Entrepreneur whose World crumbles after an accident, moving back-in with Family in the Suburbs.

Rose Byrne (Adult Beginners and This is Where I Leave You)

Bobby Cannavale (Adult Beginners)

Joel McHale (Adult Beginnners)

Nick Kroll (Adult Beginners)

Mark Duplass (Adult Beginners)

Although we’ve met the talented Jena Malone before, it still made us happy to see her out and about during the day, completing a Photo Shoot.

Foxcatcher already is primed for a loaded Awards Season Campaign Trail and many are claiming it could well win Best Picture early next year.  Its Stars drew an ecstatic reaction earlier from Fans  who lined the street for a sneak peek at its Stars.

Channing Tatum

Steve Carell

 

In case you missed it, we’re giving away a signed CHANNING TATUM Photo!

Details here:  http://facebook.com/mrwillwongblog

All Photographs taken on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy S5.

We’re half-way there, Willionaire$!

Don’t forget to be following:

Twitter: @mrwillw

Instagram: @mrwillwong

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TIFF14: OFFICIAL LIST OF STARS ANNOUNCED

It absolutely is our favourite time of the year again and announced this morning is the official list of Talent coming to Toronto for TIFF ’14! We look forward to seeing plenty of returning names – some just here last year like the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet – and also plenty of Stars from years past making their way back here once more!

Among the names attending TIFF ’14 this year include:

Jon Stewart, Martin Scorcese, Richard Gere, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, James Franco, Jane Fonda, Chloë Moretz, Brit Marling, Laura Dern, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Redgrave, Vera Farmiga, Al Pacino, Tina Fey, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Pattinson, Ansel Elgort, Alice Eve, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Seyfried, Michael Shannon, Dax Sheppard, Robert Duvall, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Hailee Steinfield, Justin Chatwin, Method Man, Jennifer Connelly, Bobby Cannavale, Kuoth Wiel, Cassie Williams, Danny Webb, Dominic West, Jung Woo-Sung, John Boylan, Sam Worthington, Tye Sheridan, Andrew Scott, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, Connie Britton, Reese Witherspoon, Evan Bird, Zhao Wei, Han Ye-Ri, Melissa Benoist, Haley Bennett, Sonja Bennett, John Travolta, Julianne Moore, Isaach De Bankolé, Dan Stevens, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Xavier Dolan, Peter Stormare, Ben Schnetzer, Abigail Spencer, Ellen Barkin, Bill Pullman, Charlotte Aubin, Kate Winslet, Ryan Reynolds, Rene Russo, Roger Waters, Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Loreto Aravena, Tobey Maguire, Aubrey Plaza, Tobey Maguire, Gemma Arterton,  Juliette Binoche, Zhang Yimou, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Rose Byrne, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray, Daniel Barber, Liam Aiken, Mike Leigh, Olivier Assayas, Richard LaGravenese, Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Anna Kendrick, Morgan Freeman, Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Rosario Dawson, Chris Rock, John Cusack, Benedict Cumberbatch, Octavia Spencer, Keira Knightley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie, Patricia Clarkson, J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller, Priyanka Chopra, Daniel Bruhl, Michael Winterbottom, Justin Chon, Steve Carell, Gong Li, Hayden Christensen, Tory Kittles, Jordana Brewster, Holliday Grainger, Max Irons, Lone Scherfig, Sam Claflin, Douglas Booth, Paul Bettany, Daniel Barnz, Noah Baumbach, Barry Avrich, Jennifer Aniston, Akon, Nick Kroll, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Greta Gerwig, Omar Sy Jennifer Garner, Salma Hayek, Kevin Smith, Eddie Redmayne,  Felicity Jones, Faye Marsay, Bill Nighy, Justin Long, Christopher Plummer, Marton Csokas, David Cronenberg, Sarah Gadon, Tom Schilling, Tom Hardy and more!

TIFF also will be hosting a series of In-Conversations-With as part of their Mavericks Programme. Joining-in are the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Jon Stewart, Dan Savage, Julie Taymor and several more!

As is the case always, it’s sometimes not just who’s coming – it’s who they’re bringing.  Don’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner brings Husband Ben Affleck along and be warned if Andrew Garfield brings Emma Stone along!

Who’s on our list of Must-Meets?  Plenty!  We hope finally to get a positive moment with Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet!  Excited about Martin Scorcese, J.K. Simmons, Bobby Cannavale, Miles Teller, Corey Stoll, Tobey Maguire, Rose Byrne, Michael Douglas and newer names like Max Irons and Douglas Booth, that’s for sure.  And did we read TINA FEY!?!?  Finally!  AND WHERE IS TOM HARDY?!?!

The list is always subject to surprise and no-shows as we know all too well!

Visit the official TIFF Website for more.

TIFF ’14 runs September 3 – 14, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SABOTAGE” STARRING ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, SAM WORTHINGTON, OLIVIA WILLIAMS, MIREILLE ENOS AND OLIVIA WILLIAMS

This actually looks pretty awesome! If the Cast of Sabotage is any indication of how great it could be, then expect this Action Flick to be amazing! David Ayer (End of Watch) directs and co-writes.

Official Synopsis:

The head of an elite DEA Task Force (Arnold Schwarzenegger) leads his Agents in a drug bust that yields millions of dollars. But he then turns on his own Men when he suspects that one of them is behind a vicious string of murders haunting his Unit following the Cartel take-down.

Sabotage also stars Terrence Howard, Olivia Williams, Joe Manganiello, Mireille Enos, Harold Perrineau and Sam Worthington! Where in the World has Sam Worthington been of late? Welcome back!

 

Watch the Trailer:

 

VVS Films releases Sabotage on Friday, April 11, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)