Not that there ever was any doubt about it, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire makes a record-setting debut for highest ever November opening for a Film with a monstrous $161.1 million this weekend across North America for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films! The record previous was held by The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009 with $142 million.  The Action-Fantasy, the second in the Series of four Films, opened in 4,163 theatres with an excellent A CinemaScore and equally strong reviews from Critics (89% on the Tomatometer).  By contrast, its Predecessor earned $152 million in its March 2012 debut.

In its third week, Thor: The Dark World slips to second spot with $14.1 million from 3,713 theatres for Disney.  To-date the second Film in the Thor Franchise has earned $168 million domestically.

The Best Man Holiday continues to go strong in third in its second week out for Universal Pictures, earning $12.5 million and almost surpassing the $50-million mark.

Debuting in fourth with $8.2 million from 3,036 theatres is Sperm Donor-Comedy, Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn.   The Adaptation of TIFF ’11 Favourite Starbuck, released by Disney, didn’t do amazingly well with Critics who gave it 35% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences responded much better giving it a B+ CinemaScore.

Gravity continues to bring in the cash for Warner Bros., now in its seventh week with $3.5 million. Domestically, the Film has grossed $245 million in its eight weeks in theatres.

12 Years a Slave continues to perform well, now showing at 1,474 theatres, landing in ninth spot with $2.8 million this weekend for Fox Searchlight. To-date it has grossed almost $30 million, much of that impressively in limited release.

Dallas Buyers Club rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million from 666 theatres for Focus Features/Remstar Films.  The Drama based on a true story has  a remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer and is a major Contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, having received a TIFF ’13 Premiere.

Our Friends at eOne Films as always are amazing to us and I’ll never believe what I came home to today! In celebration of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘s release, we’re spreading the joy and giving one Reader to win all sorts of Goodies! Magnets! A Mockingjay Pin! The Hunger Games Trilogy! A Paperback Copy of Catching Fire! A Bookmark! Some The Hunger Games Chocolate Bars! Does it get any better than this?

We’re definitely in full-on Katniss mode right now:

Read our Review of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!

Read our Interview with Jena Malone and Sam Claflin!

Details on how you can win signed Photos fromJennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin!

See some of the Goodies you could win:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this corresponding Post on Mr. Will Wong on Facebook!

Share on Facebook and double your chances. Canadian Readers only, please.

May the odds be in your favour.

eOne Films release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, now in theatres!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto Fans of the The Hunger Games Franchise welcomed Stars of its second instalment Sam Claflin and Jena Malone to the City this evening at Scotiabank Theatre. Fans camped-out as early as this frosty morning to gain Rush Line access to the Canadian Premiere of the Action-Fantasy based on the Series of best-selling Novels by Suzanne Collins.

Catching Fire sees The Hunger Games Victor and Victress Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)  of District 12 called upon to compete once again in a fight for their lives amidst the onset of a Rebellion against the Capitol.  This time around though, they must face previous Winners, an eclectic group of Characters – some of whom they choose as their Allies.  Among others, we are introduced to the handsome/irresistible Finnick Odair (Claflin) and outspoken Johanna Mason (Malone).

Local and National Media Outlets came out in droves to support what surely will be a great Box Office success this Friday when it hits theatres. Claflin and Malone worked their way skillfully through the Red Carpet giving their time generously, before heading-off to introduce to the Film to Audiences who got  a special opportunity to see it before everybody else tonight.  Claflin chose British sophistication in a dapper gray suit and burgundy scarf.  Malone opted for edgy Style, sporting a blonde Bob and a black Dora Abodi dress patterned with gold mythical creatures.

Malone really is no Stranger to lovers of Cinema.  She has wowed with roles in popular Titles like Stepmom, Donnie Darko, Saved! and Into the Wild, but her joining a big-budget Blockbuster Franchise as The Hunger Games  actually is something new for the 28-year-old. I ask her to describe her transformation into this perhaps her most daring and physical role to-date.  She says, “For me, I’d already worked with the same Stunt Team on Sucker Punch for eight months, so I walked-in feeling like Alumni.”. “I feel it’s funny that the physical training was actually the easy part – the hardest part was getting in to her (Johanna‘s) emotional state”, Malone explains. “She was quite chaotic – it was a little bit more debilitating to withstand.”.  Although she’s been in the City in previous years for the Toronto International Film Festival, she admits “It has been a while!  I don’t know – it’s cold and I haven’t seen anything, but I do love Toronto!”. You also can visit from Canada Kasyna Online.

After enduring a broken finger among other minor injuries during the filming process, 27-year-old Hearththrob-on-the-rise Claflin tells me about his bonding experience with the Cast, having just signed-aboard as a Newcomer. “I think I was intimidated at first entering that World and that Family”, says the London-trained Thespian. “Everyone was really welcoming. I felt like part of the Family from day one.”.

Claflin certainly also is no Stranger to Toronto, having starred opposite Lily Collins here this past May in upcoming Rom-Com Love, Rosie.  While that experience was short, he does have some fond memories. “I never got to see much of the City before as we were shooting nights in bizarre places” he recalls. “I did watch a Maple Leaf Game – the first time they ever won a Playoff in ten years I think!   I just got-in an hour-and-a-half ago and leave tomorrow morning.”.  “It’s exhausting!”, he laughs.  Surely all the hard work will pay-off soon as he’s undeniable as the charming, Sugar Cube-obsessed Finnick.

See our Chats below:

It’s certainly still not too late to win Signed Items from Stars Lawrence and Claflin!  Click here for more details.

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)

TICK -TOCK.  The Movie Event of the Year The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soon will be bestowed upon us and both eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers an ultra-rare opportunity to attend the Canadian Premiere of this year’s most eagerly-awaited Cinematic Event!

Official Synopsis:

After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) return home before embarking on a Victory Tour of all 12 Districts. Before they leave, they find that the President is angry with them for breaking the rules, allowing them both to win.

In order for their families not to be punished, they have to prove to him that they’re really in love. There’s only one problem—Katniss was faking her emotions for the viewing audience at home, a fact that Peeta has to come to terms with.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire also stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Willow Shields, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Amanda Plummer and Sam Claflin.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to an Advance Screening of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, which takes place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in Toronto,  simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post on Facebook with your fellow Tributes or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/catchingfire @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Double Pass to the Canadian Premiere of #THEHUNGERGAMES #CATCHINGFIRE! In theatres 11/22!

Hold-up one second though!  With the stakes being upped for both Katniss and Peeta in this second instalment of the Franchise, why not up the ante for our Wongsters too?   That’s right – Mr. Will Wong is giving Readers – and his Readers only – a chance to win Pieces from his Collection signed by SAM CLAFLIN and Academy Award Winner JENNIFER LAWRENCE!

See ’em to believe ’em!

Just like The Hunger Games, two names will be drawn in this Lottery!

Will it be YOU?

Good luck, Wongsters.

eOne Films releases THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Pre-order your Tickets now here!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

We don’t know about you, but we are counting down the days till The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theatres. 50 days to be precise.

For those of you who absolutely cannot wait, Advance Tickets are available for purchase now at:
www.cineplex.com
www.empiretheatres.com
www.landmarkcinemas.com

Watch the brand-new IMAX Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire below:

And guess what I got in the mail today?!  A brand new Mockingjay Pin!  The second one in the Series!  I couldn’t stop wearing my first one!

Remember who the enemy is.

eOne Films release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

It’s absolutely hard to believe that the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is just around the corner. It seems like yesterday that we were obsessing about some of the first Stills and casting announcements for the Film.

In advance of its release in November comes this amazing new Poster of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in all her greatness!   Lawrence looks stunning and although it takes a bit of a mental shift remembering her as a Brunette, we are totally buying it.

The Poster reminds us, “Remember who the Enemy is”, which suggests tons of betrayal in this Installment?

Take a look at the brand new Poster below:

 If you haven’t heard it yet, you must check-out Christina Aguilera‘s superb contribution to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘s OST.  Easily her best Track in years:

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in Canada on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo credit: eOne Films | Audio content: Sony Music)

“Remember who the real Enemy is”.

Those lucky Folks attending San Diego Comic-Con this weekend got to see first this new Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and wow, have they ever stepped it up?  The Sequel to the 2012 Box Office Smash sees Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) drawn once again to compete in the 75th Hunger Games, competing against other previous Victors.  “Who does she think she is? She has to be eliminated”, says President Snow (Donald Sutherland) upon learning of Katniss’ rebellion against The Capitol.

Watch the Trailer below:

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Hurry up, November!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

With the Cannes Film Festival kicking into high gear this weekend, the Director and Principal Cast of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire held a Photo Call earlier today at Majestic Hotel.  Was it ever an extravagant affair!  Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Sam Claflin (just in Toronto this week) attended along with Director Francis Lawrence.   No sign of Josh Hutcherson however, as he’s in Panama filming the Thriller, Paradise Lost alongside Benicio del Toro.

See the amazing Display they set-up for the Film below:

It also has been announced that Covergirl will be partnering with the Film to release a limited edition Makeup Collection inspired by the Film!

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013.

(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films/Getty Images)

Things undisputably are on the up-and-up for Sam Claflin. The 26-year-old British Actor who made a splash in Box Office Smashes Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Snow White & The Huntsman, soon after was cast in upcoming The Hunger Games Sequel, Catching Fire, in the coveted role of Finnick Odair.  Co-Star Jennifer Lawrence in fact also arrived on Canadian soil this weekend to begin work on X-Men: Days of Future Past, being spotted in Montreal Sunday night!

Claflin, arrived in Toronto over the weekend, to begin a few days only of Production on Rom-Com, Love, Rosie, opposite Rising Star Lily Collins, who practically is now a Torontonian after all the time she’s spent here this past year! The Film centers around a pair of Friends who are separated when one (Alex, played by Claflin) relocates with his Family to America and one remains in Dublin (Rosie, played by Collins).  “Can Friendship and Love survive distance and separation?”, we are asked in this Adaptation of  the popular Novel by Cecelia Ahern (P.S. I Love You).  Toronto of course, has been cast in the role of Boston, where part of the Story is set, with the remainder of Production taking place in Dublin.

It has just been announced that Lionsgate Films will distribute The Quiet Ones, a Poltergeist-Horror which has him starring opposite a currently-in-Toronto Jared Harris, with a release date set for April 25, 2014.  Meanwhile, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, also from Lionsgate Films (eOne Films in Canada), sees a November 22, 2013 release.

I spotted a redheaded Claflin, out and about earlier today arriving to work and he was awful nice to stop for a quick Snap, happy that I’m excited for Catching Fire.  He even signed a Photo for you my Readers, although that will be timed for later in the year. Stay tuned to Mr. Will Wong on Facebook for more on that!

See more Photos of Collins and Claflin filming Love, Rosie in Toronto here.

See my Snaps below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/GQ)

“Because of her, they all think they’re invincible.”.

This fire cannot be contained!  After much build-up, the Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire finally has surfaced, getting a high-profile Premiere during tonight’s 2013 MTV Movie Awards, specially presented  by Liam Hemsworth.

The Follow-up to 2012’s massively successful  first Film in the Franchise follows Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) after they are de-throned of their riches earned from their victory. They must once again compete in the area, this time in the Quarter Quell.

Watch the Trailer below:

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Follow The Hunger Games on Twitter here.

(Photo/video credit: Lionsgate Films)