"BATTLESHIP" OPENS AT #1 IN 26 TERRITORIES

Battleship Promo Photo

Believe it or not, Battleship is pulling-in some major numbers overseas as per Deadline.  The Action/Fantasy based upon the Board Game by Hasbro has debuted at number one in 26 territories, earning $58 million in its debut already. And even though it doesn't open in North America until May 18, 2012 via Universal Pictures, the $200-million Film starring Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgård is expected to debut huge here.

The odd thing however, is that its Star Kitsch seems to be veering more towards success overseas when he actually is known best in these parts for his work on Football Series Friday Night Lights - about as American as it gets. Case in point, Disney's John Carter already has made over $200 million out of the total $269 it has earned thus far at the Box Office, has come from foreign territories.

Even I had to re-watch the Trailer to see what the fuss was all about! Will you be seeing Battleship next month?

Watch the Trailer below:

TAYLOR KITSCH IN TORONTO FOR "JOHN CARTER": SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Taylor Kitsch in Toronto - March 2012

Toronto found itself in quite the Kitschuation today with Kelowna-born Actor Taylor Kitsch flying-in for a jam-packed day of Press in support of Disney's John Carter. The stunning Action/Sci-Fi Opus with a $250-million budget, is the v. latest from Academy Award-winning Director Andrew Stanton (WALL-E), based upon Edgar Rice Burrough's Barsoom series of novels.  

The Friday Night Lights Star did the rounds today including visits to CityTV's Breakfast Television,  CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, Global's Entertainment Tonight Canada, MuchMusic's New.Music.Live, CTV's eTalk and The Marilyn Denis Show.  He even pre-taped some interviews also, including an appearance on The Roz and Mocha Show, to air on KISS 92.5 tomorrow morning.  As if that were not gratuitous enough, Kitsch even greeted Fans at a Screening at AMC Yonge x Dundas this evening, where he was lovely enough to stop and pose for a quick Photo and sign an Autograph for my Readers!  We last caught-up with the Actor in Toronto last January when he was in-town promoting The Bang Bang Club.

Although this Toronto leg of his Press Tour is his final one for John Carter,  Kitsch did take time to enjoy a Toronto Maple Leafs game last night at the Air Canada Centre, in addition to a much-needed Passport renewal, after experiencing some much-talked-about issues traveling in Asia recently.

John Carter sees Kitsch starring as a former Military Captain who inexplicably is transported to Mars, which is on the brink of collapse.  There he meets the beautiful Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins) and finds himself fighting for the inhabitants of the Planet, while also rediscovering himself.  Having screened the Film finally tonight, I can confirm that it is a gorgeous visual spectacle which will propel Kitsch even more so as a household name. It delivers laughs, action and romance - a bit of something for all. Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada releases John Carter (available in 3-D) nationwide on Friday, March 9, 2012 and this weekend alone those who see it also will see an exclusive 3-D Trailer for The Avengers also.

To enter to win that signed Photo of Kitsch, remember to click "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also this corresponding Post.  Remember also to follow on Twitter too!  All are welcome to enter and your deadline is April 7, 2012.  Good luck!

Watch a 10-minute Clip of John Carter below:

TAYLOR KITSCH ALMOST DENIED ENTRY TO THE PHILIPPINES

Taylor Kitsch on the Late Show with David Letterman

Only in Asia! Taylor Kitsch, star of Disney's upcoming John Carter, recently made a promotional stopoff in Japan for that Film, before flying back to resume work on Oliver Stone's Savages in the Philippines.

Things got a little problematic for the Kelowna-born Actor upon entry to the Philippines when it was realized that Kitsch had run-out of pages on his Passport to stamp.  Not familiar at all with Kitsch's Body of Work (unlike many of his female Fans!), the Officer was prepared to send him back on a flight to Japan. After a bit of pleading - which was not helped by the fact that he no longer has long hair - finally Kitsch was able to pass one of the most crucial screen tests of his career by showing the Officer a Trailer for John Carter on his iPhone!

Learn how it all went down on the Late Show with David Letterman:

A new and final Trailer also has been cut for John Carter, to prep us for its March 9, 2012 release. See it here:

(Photo credit: CBS | Video credit: CBS/Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada)

"JOHN CARTER" LOS ANGELES PREMIERE PHOTOS

Taylor Kitsch in Los Angeles for Premiere of John Carter

Although it doesn't open till March 9, 2012, Walt Disney Motion Pictures' John Carter had its Premiere in Los Angeles last night at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live and attending were the likes of Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe, Zendaya Coleman, Bella Thorne, Dermot Mulroney, Frankie Muniz, Lynn Collins, Sigourney Weaver, Bryan Cranston and of course its Canadian Star, Taylor Kitsch who will see a huge 2012 with this and also Battleship on its way. 

Although it is possibly just hearsay, there are hopes of Kitsch coming home for a bit of Press for the $250-million release.  Nothing has been confirmed just yet.

The official Synopsis for John Carter is as follows:

"From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes John Carter—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). John Carter is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.". 

See more Photos from the Red Carpet below:

TAYLOR KITSCH IN TORONTO TO PROMOTE "THE BANG BANG CLUB" | AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY

Taylor Kitsch & Mr. Will-W.

Kelowna native Taylor Kitsch packed a crowd outside the CBC Building today where he dropped by to record an appearance on George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight, airing later this evening. The former Abercrombie & Fitch Model has found success as an Actor, appearing on the acclaimed yet short-lived ABC series Friday Night Lights.  He continues to see his star rise with his latest Film The Bang Bang Club, which premiered at TIFF 2010 to wide acclaim. 

Acquired via eOne Films, the Drama is based on the true story of four photographers who ventured to South Africa during a time of great political change, following the period when Nelson Mandela had been released from prison up to 1994, when the first-ever Democratic Elections were held.  That Election marked the first time all races were allowed to participate in voting.  Ryan Philippe and Malin Åkerman also star in The Bang Bang Club.  Check out some Photos I got of Philippe in-town this past September promoting the Film.

With at least 20-plus people in waiting for Autographs and Photos with Kitsch, both he and his Assistant were more than accommodating, handling beautifully what could easily have become a bit of a mess, with one Fan barging into the Premises.  Sporting a new stylishly-cropped Haircut, Kitsch surprised all who were expecting him to appear in his signature shoulder-length locks. All were surprised by  the extent of his graciousness and generosity.

THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK WITH STAR POWER

Mr. Will-W. & Marilyn Denis in 2007

My Girl Marilyn Denis is back, bigger than ever with The Marilyn Denis Show premiering Monday, January 10, 2011 on CTV.  The Lifestyle program which picks-up where she left off with her most recent foray into Television after many successful years on Radio - CityTV's Cityline - before returning back to CHUM-FM again, promises to bring some star power and fun to Canadian viewers daily at 10 AM and 2 PM EST.  Girl cannot be held back.  She belongs on Television.

Her first week of Celebrity Guests include some good company including Desperate Housewives hunk James Denton, Singer/Songwriter Josh Groban, and former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestly.  Upcoming guests include Nikita star Maggie Q., Taylor Kitsch who will be promoting acclaimed flick from Summit Entertainment, The Bang Bang Club and Health Guru/Actress Suzanne Somers.  Hot!

To sign up for tickets to The Marilyn Denis Show, click here.  To follow her on Twitter, click here.