It ain’t U.S. Thanksgiving yet but Warner Bros. must give thanks to a powerful opening for JUSTICE LEAGUE earning $96 million in its opening from 4,051 theatres – completely in another league than its competition. This latest DC Comics Adaptation gets a B+ CinemaScore from Audiences and 40% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
WONDER starring Canada’s Jacob Tremblay has a very wonderful opening in second with $28.3 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. Audiences are smitten with an A+ CinemaScore and a strong 83% on the Tomatometer.
THOR: RAGNAROK slips to third in its third week with $20.3 million for Disney. Thus far it has made $245 million domestically.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS slips to fourth in its second week with $14.1 million for 20th Century Fox. In North America thus far it has grossed $52 million.
DADDY’S HOME 2 slips to fifth, also in its second week with $13.6 million for Paramount Pictures. It has made $49.4 million to date.
THE STAR earns $10.2 million from 2,837 theatres for Sony Pictures. It opened on Wednesday. The Nativity Story-centered Film gets 62% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.
LADY BIRD expands successfully to 238 theatres for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures with $2.4 million. Over three weeks it has made $4.6 million and has a perfect 100% CinemaScore.
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI expands to 52 theatres this weekend and earns $1.1 million for Fox Searchlight. The Oscar Contender sits at 94% on the Tomatometer and has the distinction of winning the TIFF ’17 People’s Choice Award.
JIGSAW rounds-out the Top Ten with $1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films.
A v. healthy weekend at the Box Office, but alas THOR: RAGNAROK remains triumphant a second straight week. The latest in the Marvel Franchise earns $56.1 million in week two from 4,080 theatres, a total $209.1 million grossed thus far in North America.
In second is 20th Century Fox‘s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS with $27.9 million from 3,331 theatres domestically. The Agatha Christie Adaptation with a star-studded cast gets 58% on the Tomatometer from Critics and a B CinemaScore.
DADDY’S HOME 2 opens in third narrowly edged-out for second, with $27.5 million from 3,575 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 16% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A- CinemaScore. It’s 2015 Predecessor debuted with $37 million by comparison.
A BAD MOM’S CHRISTMAS is in fourth in its second week out for STX Entertainment/eOne Films with $11.6 million. Thus far it has tallied $39.9 million.
Acclaimed TIFF ’17 selection LADY BIRD rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.7 million for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures in its second week out, expanding to just 37 theatres across North America.
With raves abound from Critics and Fans, THOR: RAGNAROK takes the top of the Box Office in its debut hammering down its competition with a $118 million from 4,080 theatres for Marvel/Disney. This marks the highest debut yet for the Thor Franchise eclipsing 2013’s $85 million opening for THOR: THE DARK WORLD. It gets 95% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS opens in second after a special Wednesday bow with $15.7 million from 3,615 theatres. Last year’s predecessor BAD MOMS opened with $23 million. It gets 31% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
JIGSAW after scaring Moviegoers into submission last week, slips to third with $6.1 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. It has made $28 million in two weeks.
TYLER PERRY’S BOO 2! A MADEA HALLOWEEN is in fourth this weekend with $4.2 million also for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. It has made $42.5 million domestically thus far in three weeks.
BLADE RUNNER 2049 is in eighth with $2.1 million. Thus far it has grossed $85 million for Warner Bros. over five weeks.
LET THERE BE LIGHT rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.5 million from 600 theatres across North America. The faith-based Film doesn’t have a Canadian release.
Taika Waititi might not yet ring a bell in these parts but he is on the brink of major recognition. The Actor/Comedian/Writer/Director is in Toronto today for Thor: Ragnarok which he helms! The New Zealand native is known for his acclaimed work in acclaimed Oscar-nominated short Two Cars, One Night and Feature Films Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which broke Box Office records in his homeland. There are several “rumours” as he claims still, he will be directing an upcoming Back to the Future reboot.
Thor: Ragnarok marks Waititi‘s Hollywood debut and he just may be returning for a second Thor: Ragnarok Film! We’ll soon see!
He loved Billy‘s Thor costume (available at Petsmart)! Pleasure meeting him at CITY‘s Breakfast Television as he kindly made time for Fans.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release THOR: RAGNAROK Friday, November 3, 2017. 🔨
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Marvel)
By Mr. Will Wong, Siobhán Rich and Justin Waldman
Now in its 23rd year, FAN EXPO returned once again to Toronto this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre celebrating fandom and bringing fans close to their idols of past and future. The extravaganza continues to pull-in upwards of 129,000 people from around the world with panels, exhibits, signings and photo ops galore. There’s even Speed-Dating for the geek-minded.
Cosplayers were out in full festive force with several paying tribute to the likes of The Joker, Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman and Doctor Who.
A major highlight this year was the reunion of the original ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Cast including a seldom-seen Tim Curry, who was available for photo ops and also pre-signed memorabilia. His Castmates Meat Loaf, Nell Campbell, Barry Bostwick and Patricia Quinn also made their way to Fan Expo.
A hot ticket item this weekend, selling-out, was photo ops for the Cast of STRANGER THINGS including Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo. The former also appeared with his fellow Castmates from another production in which he stars, hotly-anticipated Stephen King Remake IT, out next week.
This year, Fan Expo‘s Guest List was heavy on talent filming in the City including Cast members from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, which sees a premiere on CBS this September including Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp and Doug Jones.
Meanwhile, returning favourites Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), John Barrowman (Arrow), Nathan Fillion (Castle), Stephen Amell (Arrow), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) also proved popular.
THOR: RAGNAROK EXHIBIT
Among the several dazzling displays and exhibits at Fan Expo Canada this year was an exhibit for eagerly-awaited THOR: RAGNAROK from Marvel, giving fans get an exclusive first look at the costumes and pieces seen in the Movie.
In this third Thor Movie, our hero faces his toughest villain yet, Hela played by Cate Blanchett, and her costume makes the villain even more daunting. A black and green costume with a 3D printed headpiece that resembles something similar to a creature from nightmares it truly is a sight to behold. As well the headpiece was never actually worn in the film but rather carried afterwards in very careful placement to fit the Film.
Next is Karl Urban’s Skurge and without giving away too much information about the character he seems to be a forced to be reckoned with as well. A double-sided axe that is truly remarkable accompanies his costume. As well his costume is made of actual steel and fabric, making it one of the more impressive costumes.
Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) costume takes its final form in this third Film. There are little tidbits of goodies in the costume as well, if we remember the first Avengers Film, the necklace Loki wears has a small piece in his costume this time around as an ode to that other appearance.
Next we have hotly-anticipated Jeff Goldblum’s The Grandmaster whose fabric costume is so much more impressive in person that anyone could have ever imagined. The layers of fabric and costume it self really stands out and boasts the character.
Two really cool props from Ragnarok are from the Hulk Vs Thor scenes where we get a first up close look at Hulk’s sword and hammer that he uses in the fight. These props are massive and certainly a dream come true for fans to be able to see these props up close and personal.
One of the most impressive pieces at Fan Expo’s exhibit this year was Thor’s costume itself, as it is a mish-mash of different pieces. While he is away from Asgard and fighting, he acquires different pieces of his costume and writing on his costume that shows his journey. However the most interesting piece for fans would be Thor’s helmet, which many fans have dreamed of seeing since the first Movie came out.
Photos from the THOR: RAGNAROK Exhibit. Hover cursor left and right below to navigate.
This gorgeous star of X-Men, Taken, The Wolverine, The Blacklist, How to Get Away with Murder, The Blacklist and Hemlock Grove, the latter filmed right in our City, returns to Toronto again once again. She tells her fans at her panel about her experience working with Hugh Jackman who would go on to be in the widely-acclaimed LOGAN. “It’s impossible to envision anyone else playing that role”, she says about her Co-Star. “I’m grateful to have worked with him.”.
On Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner playing a role she helped shape in upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix, she says “I think she’s amazing. She reached out to me when she got cast as Jean Grey and asked what pointers I had for her and I told her she’s amazing and to just follow your gut and that’s what she did.”.
TIM CURRY
You know you’re iconic when your Films are remade and your roles are reprised. This iconic star of Rocky Horror Picture Show and the original Pennywise in Stephen King’s IT, which is projected to make a huge splash next weekend at the Box Office, made a rare appearance at this year’s Fan Expo treating fans to an intimate panel.
On which of his projects he considers his favourites, Curry says “Well, I guess one of them is Clue where my part was as big as the Bible. I also love Muppet Treasure Island.“.
On his phenomenal voicework in Animation, he says “I love it. I’ve never been a contortionist. The day is young and one day I hope to be.”.
While he is the idol of many who attended his panel, he cites Alec Guinness as being someone he looks up to.
JOHN BARROWMAN
This star of Doctor Who, Desperate Housewives, Torchwood, Legends of Tomorrow and of course Arrow is loved by many a fan. He reflects on the fun he has had on the latter. “A lot of things happened and part of what I like to do is making people crack-up by doing something from across of them. Stephen (Amell) is really easy to crack-up”.
In what will be the most talked-about moment of Fan Expo Canada 2017, Barrowman was asked by a fan at his panel whom his best on-screen kiss was with. A fan who went by the name Montana then rushed the stage to the shock of the crowd and Barrowman, and the two embraced in a kiss which had the fan going shirtless. The crowd went ecstatic. David Tennant, his Doctor Who Co-Star was his favourite kiss, by the way!
The best kind of audience participation at @JohnBarrowman‘s @FANEXPOCANADA panel. #FXC17 pic.twitter.com/Ls81n9x934
— MsTypo (@Typo_eh) September 1, 2017
KATHLEEN TURNER
Those of us who grew-up in the ’80s have fond memories of Turner‘s work in classics like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Peggy Sue Got Married, Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Turner reflected on her beginnings as an actress with her fans. She claims “I didn’t see many films. I always felt like Film happened to me.”. “Most of my imagination was satisfied by reading. This is how I always thought I wanted to be an actor”, she says. “This is my 40th year in my profession and it is still absolutely thrilling to be doing it. I am now entering my fourth profession and I will be doing Cabaret. I can sing.”.
MATT SMITH
In addition to its presence being felt largely this year with several fans dressed as Dr. Who, Matt Smith returned to Fan Expo once again this year. On his eventual exit from the beloved Series, Smith says “Yeah, I always knew I was going to stay for another year. Maybe I would’ve stayed on for another year. But then I thought I couldn’t get too comfortable. It’s a difficult show to leave because it’s such a brilliant character but as an actor you have to continue to do things that frighten you and make you uncomfortable.”.
Smith currently can be seen in Netflix‘s acclaimed The Crown as Philip.
See some Snaps from Fan Expo Canada 2017. Navigate by hovering cursor over left and right of gallery.
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Missed it this year? Learn more about FAN EXPO CANADA right here and come next year!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Siobhán Rich/Justin Waldman)
San Diego Comic Con proves again why it is the ultimate fan mecca! Fans were treated to up-close and intimate access to their favourites and giants from the DC Comics and Marvel universes, plus game-changer Netflix, made their presences felt!
It was announced that a standalone BATGIRL Film and Sequels to WONDER WOMAN and SUICIDE SQUAD are on the way from DC Comics.
This of course, was not to outdone by the eagerly-awaited BLADE RUNNER 2049, which also made an appearance this weekend!
See some goodies unveiled out of #SDCC2017:
New DC Comics’ JUSTICE LEAGUE Trailer – out November 17, 2017 via Warner Bros.
Fandango Live Chat with Cast of BLADE RUNNER 2049 – out October 6, 2017 via Warner Bros.
New Trailer from Marvel’s THE DEFENDERS – streams Friday, August 18, 2017 on Netflix
New Trailer for Marvel’s THOR: RAGNAROK – out November 3, 2017 via Disney
New Poster for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER – out February 16, 2018 via Disney. Lucky Fans got to see some exclusive footage too, getting a standing ovation!
New Trailer for the $90-million BRIGHT starring Will Smith – streams on Netflix December 22, 2017.
New Trailer for DEATH NOTE – streams August 25, 2017 on Netflix
A Gallery from #SDCC2017. Hover cursor left and right to navigate:
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros./Disney/Marvel/Netflix)
Marvel certainly knows how to do it big and this morning at L.A.’s El Capitan Theatre we learned through President Kevin Feige not only that Breakout Star Chadwick Boseman (42, Get on Up) has confirmed what we’ve known all along – he’s a Megastar – the brilliant Actor has been announced to star as BLACK PANTHER!
In addition, several release dates have been confirmed on their Blockbuster Marquee Slate including:
5/1/15 – AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
7/17/15 – ANT-MAN
5/6/16 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
11/4/16 – DOCTOR STRANGE
5/5/17 – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 (previously dated 7/28/17)
7/28/17 – THOR: RAGNAROK
11/3/17 – BLACK PANTHER
5/4/18 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART I
7/6/18 – CAPTAIN MARVEL
11/2/18 – INHUMANS
5/3/19 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART II
Impressive, right? We’re so waiting on DOCTOR STRANGE casting news, although we certainly aren’t alone in wanting Benedict Cumberbatch to get the assignment! The thought of 2019 actually kinda scares us on some levels!
Dates of course are subject to change. Are we excited?
(Photo credit: Marvel Canada)
In its second week out, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues to perform phenomenally at the Box Office with $31.4 million from 3,928 theatres for Warner Bros. In just two weeks, the second in the Peter Jackson-helmed Trilogy has grossed over $128 million.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in its debut certainly is no slouch only getting bested narrowly with $26.8 million from 3,507 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Critics loved the Sequel to the 2004 Box Office Hit, which also opened with a similar $28 million in its debut. Critics gave it positive Reviews, coming-in at 75% on the Tomatometer and an on-par B CinemaScore.
Oscar Contender American Hustle expands in its second week to third spot with $19.1 million from 2,507 theatres. . The ’70s-set Dramedy from David O. Russell (The Fighter) comes with astoundingly good Reviews (94% on the Tomatometer), although Audiences were a little less enthused with a B+ Cinemascore. This ties with former Champ Frozen in third spot, now in its sixth week as it has its eyes set on that $200-mark domestically.
Saving Mr. Banks expands in fifth spot with $10 million, coming also with very strong Reviews, sitting at 81% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a fair A CinemaScore.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire finds itself in sixth with $9.5 million, now in its fifth week of release, just surpassing the $370-million mark in North America for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
Walking With Dinosaurs opens in eighth spot with $7.3 million from 3,231 theatres for eOne Films/20th Century Fox. Critics panned the Family Flick voiced by Justin Long and John Leguizamo, getting 21% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences enjoyed it much more with a B+ CinemaScore.
Thor: The Dark World pulls-in $1.2 million for Disney/Marvel in its sixth week of release, just surpassing the $200-million mark in North America.
It was a desolation indeed at the Box Office as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug obliterated the Competition in its debut for Warner Bros.! Bringing-in $73.6 million from 3,903 theatres, the second instalment in The Hobbit Trilogy debuted below its Predecessor, which opened last December with $84 million. Critics respected it, giving it a decent 74% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer and it garnered an A- CinemaScore from Audiences. This makes the Film the fourth-highest December opening of all time – the Record of course was set by the first in the Trilogy.
In its fourth week out, Disney’s Frozen still is solid in second with $22.8 million, gaining lots of word-of-mouth in a time when there are few Family options in theatres. In its run, it has grossed $166 million already.
Although other Films in its Franchise have fared better, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas debuts in third with $16 million from 2,194 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The highest debut in the Madea Series of Films still is 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail which opened with $41 million. The Audience gave it an A- CinemaScore despite a 20% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly hasn’t been forgotten, in fourth spot with $14 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. To date it has earned $357 million domestically in its Run.
In a distant fifth is Thor: The Dark World with $3 million for Disney/Marvel. It is about to surpass the $200-million mark in North America in this its sixth week.
Philomena may have received a bit of a boost with Judi Dench getting a Best Actress in a Drama nod at the Golden Globe Nominations this week, in eighth spot with $1 million from only 835 theatres.
Bubbling-under are America Hustle, which opens wide next week, earning a healthy $690k from only six theatres as a Sneak Preview, and fellow Oscar Contender Saving Mr. Banks earned $421k from only 15 theatres.
After settling for second spot last weekend, Disney‘s Oscar-buzzed Animated Feature, Frozen advances to the top of the Box Office this chilly weekend with $31.6 million from 3,742 theatres across North America. After debuting in second last week the Film voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel initially was behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire at the start of the weekend, but Moviegoing traffic from Families drove its numbers up Saturday and Sunday. In two weeks, it has grossed $134 million.
After two record-setting weeks on-top, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire slips to second spot this weekend with $27 million from 4,163 theatres. In three weeks, it has earned over $336 million for eOne Films and Lionsgate Films.
Opening on a less-than-ideal weekend, Christian Bale‘s latest Drama, Out of the Furnace debuts in third spot with $5.3 million for Open Road Films and VVS Films. Audiences gave the violence-driven Film an C+ CinemaScore, while Critics were about on-par with a 55% tallied on the Tomatometer.
Thor: The Dark World still continues to go well in fourth with $4.7 million, now in its fifth week in theatres. It is nearing-in on the $200 mark and likely will surpass that shortly for Disney. This places it ahead of fifth-place finisher Delivery Man also from Disney, with $3.8 million.
Homefront remains in sixth place again this weekend for VVS Films and Open Road Films, with $3.2 million this weekend. eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.’s Philomena continues to go well in limited release with $3.2 million in ninth spot this weekend based on its Oscar buzz. Black Nativity rounds-out-onto the Top Ten with $889k for Fox Searchlight.
A big weekend ahead is expected for Warner Bros. as they release their Blockbuster The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug next weekend.
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