"TOTAL RECALL" IN THEATRES TOMORROW!

The Faces of Total Recall & Mr. Will-W. - Clockwise: Kate Beckinsale, John Cho, Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, Len Wiseman, Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel

The Moment has come for the most expensive Film ever made in Toronto. A Box Office success not only solidifies Toronto as a viable locale to film, but also proves that we have the Facilities and Talent to support an ambitious Venture as such.

Will you be seeing Len Wiseman's Total Recall this weekend?  I know I will. 

Watch the Trailer:

"TOTAL RECALL" TEASER TRAILER

Official Artwork for Total Recall

"You don't have the most reliable of memories, do you?".

After having filmed here in Toronto last Summer, we finally see a Teaser Trailer for the Remake of Total Recall surfacing, giving us a taste of all the exciting Action-Fantasy thrills to come. Although the scene with Colin Farrell taking-down a team of Police was shown first to attendees of San Diego Comic Con last July we get additional insights into Kate Beckinsale's Character Lori who first appears as Colin Farrell's Wife, then turning the tables telling him, "You haven't even begun to see me trying to kill you!". By the end of it all, we still don't really know what's going on with Farrell's Doug/Hauser, but are left with enough to be intrigued. Well-played, Sony Pictures.  Looks superb.

Watch the Trailer below for the most expensive Film ever made in Toronto at $250 million:

Len Wiseman's Total Recall is in theatres August 17, 2012.

We've been following the progress of this one closely including meeting some of the Cast and Director here last Summer! Click here for more.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

"TOTAL RECALL" HITS COMIC-CON 2011

Colin Farrell in Toronto - June 2011

Although production is only half-completed on Len Wiseman's Total Recall Reboot, Cast and Director took a break from filming in Toronto to promote the $2 million Blockbuster for Sony Pictures at Comic-Con in San Diego earlier today. Early reports are v. promising, with much of the focus being directed at Colin Farrell, after one Clip (pre-effects) was shown of his Quaid beating down a room of soldiers.

Kate Beckinsale, Wife of Wiseman, will be re-interpreting the role of Lori played originally by Sharon Stone and appeared to have charmed the audience. She admitted that she struggled with having to throw a punch at Co-star Jessica Biel (Melina), whom she calls "one of the most beautiful faces in the world" with her "$3 billion nose".

Bryan Cranston seemed to have received a fair number of questions from the audience but revealed that he has added a more humanistic approach to his Villain, Vilos Cohaagen.  He says, "If you can't invest in the characters then you can have all the explosions in the world and I won't be interested.".

I've been following Total Recall here for a bit since its Cast have arrived.  Click here to get yourself up-to-speed. 

FIRST LOOK: "TOTAL RECALL" STARRING COLIN FARRELL

Still from Total Recall

Check out this first Still released from Len Wiseman's Total Recall, currently in production here in Toronto.  Colin Farrell is at the mercy of two Captors in a scene which appears to have been filmed at the University of Toronto's Knox College.

The Film will be presented at next week's Comic-Con in San Diego and hits theatres via Sony Pictures on August 3, 2012.  Thanks Kevin!

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

LEN WISEMAN & COLIN IN FARRELL IN ST. THOMAS FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Len Wiseman in St. Thomas - July 2011

Fans in St. Thomas, Ontario got a huge treat yesterday as Director Len Wiseman brought production of his latest effort Total Recall two and a half hours southwest of the City to a Magna International Inc. plant. Filming factory scenes yesterday, most of the principal Cast were absent from the shoot, although its biggest star Colin Farrell was present. And get this - 200 Workers there won the opportunity to meet the Irish Hunk via a Lottery!

Wiseman even took time to run out to the gate to greet some Fans and sign Autographs before getting ushered back to the Set, although Farrell - who it has been noted rarely does the Fan thing while at work - did throw over a wave.

Watch the Clip below:

BRYAN CRANSTON IN TORONTO FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Bryan Cranston & Mr. Will-W.

Although it took a bit of time to happen, Bryan Cranston is now hotter than ever after years of Television work since first making his Television debut on CHiPs back in 1982. Whether you know him from Malcolm in the Middle in which he starred as Hal, or more recently his three-time Emmy Award-winning work on Breaking Bad as terminally ill, drug-dealing Teacher Walter White, Cranston is officially an A-list Actor now with a string of highly-buzzed films due in the next year.

Drive, Contagion, Red Tails, John Carter of Mars, Rock of Ages and Larry Crowne are all major titles he will be seen in soon and above this, Cranston is now in Toronto working on Len Wiseman's Total Recall reboot. He stars as Vilos Cohaagen, the central Villain opposite Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel.

The barely-recognizable Actor/Director came out in a Hairpiece, Dress Shirt,  Plaid Tie (as seen on David Letterman) and Vest during a Coffee Break to greet Fans during filming, revealing that he wrapped up work on the forthcoming season of Breaking Bad just three weeks ago. He now is slated to continue production until September in Toronto. He tells me he starred in a Disney production here years ago. When asked "Was it Ice Princess?", he joked back, "Yes, I starred in the leading role as Ice Princess...", drawing a few laughs.  He was actually referring to 2001's 'Twas the Night.

JESSICA BIEL IN TORONTO FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Jessica Biel & Mr. Will-W.

Now who said Jessica Biel wasn't a nice Girl? She's totally nice! The Model/Actress after having taken a bit of a break is back and ready to roll in Sony Pictures' $200 million Total Recall reboot. Although most of her Co-stars including Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale came to the City in May in preparation for the Film, Biel only arrived less than two weeks ago.  The Blockbuster Beauty will be playing the role of Melina, one of two love interests to Farrell's Doug/Hauser.

Reports from Paparazzi and Fans alike who have met her here in Toronto have all been glowing on this visit. Some Fans recall having been snubbed in previous years at the Toronto International Film Festival. Seeing her today after wrapping for the day all blood-covered, she still took the time to come over in damp conditions to say "hi", despite an Insider telling me that the Set currently is on Lockdown, meaning  it is inaccessible completely to Outsiders.  "Okay Guys, it's gotta be quick", she told a couple Fans who waited all Afternoon.

INTERVIEW: JASON SUDEIKIS ON "HORRIBLE BOSSES" | PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

Jason Sudeikis

Most of us know Jason Sudeikis for his work on NBC's Saturday Night Live where his sketches The Two A-Holes and his impression of American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks have brought him considerable notoriety since joining its Cast in 2005. With three Films slated for release in 2011 in addition to his on-going commitments with The Cleveland Show and SNL, it would appear that the Actor/Comedian/Writer from Kansas is now a bona fide Movie Star. Hall Pass in which he starred alongside Owen Wilson already topped to the Box Office in its debut this past February and now Sudeikis arrives in Toronto to promote another Comedy, the hotly-tipped Horrible Bosses for Warner Bros./New Line Cinema. 

Riding the same Elevator, I note Sudeikis actually is much taller in-person than imagined.  His Boy-Next-Door good looks are paired with some no-fuss Fashions: a navy blue Cardigan, a pressed white Dress Shirt and a pair of Jeans.  He tells me, "Yeah, I know Toronto pretty well as I filmed a Movie here a few years back (The Rocker) but flew in late last night and only had a chance to have Drinks.  Now I have to fly right out again after this!".

Entering the Interview Suite of his Hotel, he admits to an intimate group of Journalists that he wasn't readily sold on being a part of Horrible Bosses.  "Initially I was hesitant to sign-on as I had just finished filming Hall Pass and then Horrible Bosses got the green light from New Line Cinema. It was just go go go!", he recalls.  "I had just played a character with Ladies on his brain in Hall Pass and I spent much of my charms on that. This time around I'd have to play a Guy with Ladies on his brain and at the same time charm his Friends into murdering their Bosses.".  Sudeikis admits to having declined Director Seth Gordon's offer at one point but after chatting over the Phone over a period of three weeks and being given some creative input into the Script, he convinced himself  finally to stop taking himself so seriously and accept the role of Kurt.

COLIN FARRELL AT 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Colin Farrell at 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards

Currently in Toronto shooting Total Recall by Director Len Wiseman, Colin Farrell partook in the MuchMusic Video Awards festivities on his day off.  The Actor shed some attention on his two Blockbusters out this Summer, Horrible Bosses and Fright Night, being confirmed only last week as a Presenter at the Show. 

Farrell will be in the City until early September as he continues production on Total Recall.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DIRECTOR LEN WISEMAN SPOTTED AT STARBUCKS

Len Wiseman & Mr. Will-W.

Director/Writer Len Wiseman is responsible for the internationally-successful Underworld Franchise and he has been in Toronto for the past month working on a remake of Total Recall starring Colin Farrell, who we spotted last week.   A fourth installment titled Underworld: New Dawn shot recently in Vancouver, is due in theatres next year and to-date its predecessors combined have earned nearly $300 million worldwide.

I spotted Wiseman at Starbucks today while grabbing an Americano, which he also happened to be ordering from the Bar, with a Snack.  The handsome California native donning a Knit Cap and multiple layers on this chilly Afternoon, was nice enough to pose for a quick Photo together before getting ready for a Dinner Date with one of my favourites, the beautiful Kate Beckinsale.  The Actress also stars in the new Wiseman project filming in the City.

In a random act of kindness last Sunday, onlookers tell me that Wiseman and Beckinsale had treated a Homeless Man to some icy Starbucks beverages.  Amazing!  And almost as nice as once incident back during TIFF 2009 when Farrell had taken a Homeless Man out, buying him some new clothing!

The $200 million-budget Total Recall continues to film at Pinewood Studios through early September and we should soon be expecting Stars Bryan Cranston and Jessica Biel here too.  In a bit of casting news, Will Yun-Lee is the most recent addition to the Ensemble.  He also is here filming Cobu 3-D with BoA and Derek Hough (both spotted at the Glee Live! In Concert! show last night).

COLIN FARRELL IN TORONTO FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Colin Farrell & Mr. Will-W.

As many of you already know, Colin Farrell has been in-town the past few weeks preparing for Len Wiseman's reboot of Total Recall.  With sightings reported of him around Yorkville training aggressively for his physically-demanding role as Hauser, the Irishman who just turned 35 this past Tuesday was spotted coming out of Whole Foods earlier today at Hazelton Lanes, grabbing a bit of Takeaway with a Friend. 

Meeting him for a second time (the first time back at TIFF 2009), he was kind and Fan-friendly as always to stop and pose for a couple Photos, but not before covering up with a long-sleeve French Sailor Tee when noticing Paparazzi in his wake. Coming out of the Gym, he had  worn a Tank Top, revealing  his newly-chiseled Body.  "Sorry Guys, I've got to run.  The Paps are here", he apologized as he curtailed the interaction with Fans.  He then ducked his head and headed back towards his Residence, masking his face under his Green Cap.

Just last night, Farrell enjoyed his evening at Rexall Centre in the City's west-end watching Italian Tenor Placido Domingo, in a Kick-off Concert for the Black Creek Summer Music Festival.  Audience members Tweeted quickly after noticing him arrive at the venue, sitting left of the stage.

Total Recall will be filming in-and-around Toronto, with a majority of Production taking place at newly-upgraded Pinewood Studios, up until early September.  Sightings of Co-stars Kate Beckinsale, John Cho and Ethan Hawke have been reported so stay tuned for more...

See a couple more Photos of Farrell below:

TORONTO GOSSIP: ROBERT PATTINSON, JUSTIN BIEBER, MATTHEW MORRISON, SELENA GOMEZ, MARK WAHLBERG, COLIN FARRELL, JOHN CHO & JASON BIGGS

Hey Mavenati!

I'm sure you've got lots to catch-up on here with all the Posts coming in this week.  I'm going to take a couple days to catch a breather and nurse Billy who just came out of a successful Surgery earlier this evening.

Here's a bit of Toronto Gossip for you to process, while I get a moment to recover:

•  Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are in Stratford (not Toronto as some Gossip sites are stating) right now enjoying some quiet time.  So far, they've hit-up some local Ice Cream Shops, the Mall, the Park and Swiss Chalet!  How sweet!  Click here and here to see some Photos.  Gomez of course is hosting the MuchMusic Video Awards on the 19th here in Toronto.  Is it possible she might actually be in-and-around until then?

• Colin Farrell has been spotted looking incredibly sexy and filled-out around Yorkville with multiple Readers sending in their sightings.  One Reader Brienne tells me this past Sunday she saw him walk by ONE Restaurant, crossing paths unknowingly with Mark Wahlberg who was lunching in the Patio at the time.  Farrell, now filming Total Recall by Director Len Wiseman was seen posing with Fans earlier this week in a barely-there Tank Top in this Heatwave.

Mark Wahlberg & Mr. Will-W.

• Speaking of Wahlberg - whom I spotted this weekend and snapped a Photo with (see right) - Shinan Govani at the National Post delivers the scoop that the Oscar-nominated Actor is actually Condo-hunting, with his eyes set on a new Home in Toronto.  Click here to read more.

•  American Pie Alumni Jason Biggs and John Cho were both staying in the same Hotel in Yorkville recently - but did they even realize it?  Biggs appeared to be here for pleasure, celebrating his Wife Jenny Mollen's Birthday together before heading back to Atlanta.  Cho is one of the latest additions to the Cast of Total Recall and apparently is sporting some bleached Blond hair right now.

"HORRIBLE BOSSES" TRAILER & POSTERS

What would you do to rid yourself of a horrible Boss? Would you murder them? Warner Bros. releases Horrible Bosses with an all-star Cast of Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Charlie Day and a barely-recognizable Colin Farrell, on July 8, 2011. 

What do you think of Aniston's Brunette locks?  The Movie looks absolutely hilarious!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

COLIN FARRELL SPOTTED IN TORONTO | "FRIGHT NIGHT" TRAILER

Official Poster for Fright Night

He might be creeping out his neighbours in upcoming Horror/Comedy Fright Night from Walt Disney Motion Pictures, but Irish Hunk Colin Farrell is certainly a welcome addition to our neighbourhood! Farrell was spotted out in Yorkville earlier today, enjoying some last-minute leisure time before preparations begin for Sony Pictures’ upcoming Total Recall reboot, filming in Toronto over the Summer. Just this past weekend, he was spotted in New York City.

Keep your eyes peeled. Surely those good looks of his will make it hard to keep your eyes off of him?

In the meantime, watch the Trailer for Fright Night in full below:

KRISTEN STEWART SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Jaimie Alexander's Tweets

Your first evidence that Robert Pattinson will soon be arriving in Toronto!  Actress Jaimie Alexander who currently stars in Thor, just arrived in Toronto on Thursday and Tweeted earlier this evening that she met none other than Kristen Stewart ....and also Pattinson's Dog, Bear.  Stewart was spotted just earlier this week in New York with Bear as Pattinson was busy doing promotional duties for his latest title Water for Elephants. Rejoice, Twihards and Fangirls!

Alexander however isn't listed as a Cast member for Pattinson's Cosmopolis, which begins filming May 25, 2011.  Sony Pictures' Total Recall starring Colin Farrell however, begins filming in just over one week (May 16, 2011), so the timing seems right...  Hmm.  We'll soon know!

Follow Alexander on Twitter here.

BRYAN CRANSTON LIKELY FOR NEW "TOTAL RECALL" FILM

Bryan Cranston

At 57 years-old, Bryan Cranston can be considered a Late Bloomer considering he has now won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series three years in a row for AMC's Breaking Bad. Above this, he hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live for the first time late October.

When you're hot, you're hot and Cranston is no exception to this fact of life. Variety reports that the Actor is almost confirmed to star opposite Colin Farrell in Sony Pictures' upcoming Total Recall film as a Villain. As we're all aware by now, the Film will be filmed in Toronto this Summer at Pinewood Studios. Finally, a name to look forward this Summer!

Read the news in full here.

(Photo credit: AMC)

WIN 1 OF 3 "THE WAY BACK" PRIZE PACKS!

Alliance Films and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give three lucky readers the chance to win The Way Back Prize Packs!  The latest Film from four-time Oscar nominated Director Peter Weir has won the hearts of Critics and opens in theatres Friday, January 21, 2011.

Watch a stellar Cast which includes Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell and Jim Sturgess trek across Siberia fighting for survival with quite literally nothing.  Read my recap of the Toronto Premiere earlier this month right here.

Prize Packs include the original Novel which The Way Back is based upon, Slavomir Rawicz's The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom and passes for two to see the Film nationwide at your own convenience.  

To qualify for the win, just e-mail mrwillw@mrwillw.com with subject header "THE WAY BACK".  Winners will be contacted by Tuesday, January 24, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati!  

Watch the Trailer below:

"THE WAY BACK" TORONTO PREMIERE WITH DIRECTOR PETER WEIR

Peter Weir & Mr. Will-W.

Four-time Oscar nominated Director and Screenwriter Peter Weir graced Toronto with his presence today, doing Press for his already well-received new Film The Way Back.  Known for acclaimed titles like Green Card, Dead Poets Society, The Witness, The Truman Show and more recently, Master and Commander, Weir is still at the top of his game with this latest effort. 

Although I am unable to post my Review of The Way Back due to a Press Embargo which ends on Release Day, January 21, 2011, I can say for now that the journey for these Siberian Gulag Prisoners is grueling, and in effect cathartic.  This fantastic Ensemble Cast including the likes of Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell put on some tour-de-force performances in an all-out fight for survival across Siberia.

As you might recall, Alliance Films was generous enough to give away passes here last week to a few lucky readers for tonight's Screening at gorgeous Bell Lightbox and it was a pleasure for me to see some familiar faces!  

After visiting CBC for a taping of George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight (airing Thursday) earlier in the day, Weir was kind enough to do a Q&A for the Film, hosted by Canada AM's Richard Crouse.  Fielding questions from the Audience, Weir expressed that he has absolutely no regrets focusing attentions now on relatively more-Commercial releases, compared to some of his earlier work. Like Crouse, Weir is wowed by 16 year-old Atonement Star Saoirse Ronan's professionalism and drive for perfection.  The Australian Director concluded that Ronan who plays Irena, simply is an "Old Soul".  On the Film's Lead Character Janusz played by Jim Sturgess, who delivers a career-best here, Weir acted jokingly insulted about a statement Sturgess made recently on how making this Film was like "making a Movie in the olden days".  In reality, Weir has adapted to the Digital Technology of this era, although he has no interest in making a 3-D Film at this time.

WIN 1 OF 5 PASSES TO TORONTO PREMIERE OF "THE WAY BACK"

Critics are raving about The Way Back, the latest Film from Master and Commander Director Peter Weir.  Its story is about a group of Prisoners who escape a Siberian Penal Camp at the brink of World War II en route to freedom.  Alliance Films wants to give five lucky Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven readers passes for two to attend an Advanced Screening of the beautifully-cast Film including Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell in Toronto Tuesday, January 12, 2011.  The Screening will be held at the gorgeous TIFF Bell Lightbox at 7:00 PM and four-time Oscar-nominee Director Weir will be in attendance.

If interested, please email mrwillw@mrwillw.com before Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST.  Tickets will be sent to you digitally so you must be able to print a copy.  Good luck, Mavenati!

The Way Back hits theatres January 21, 2011.  Which Blog loves you back most? :')

ROBERT PATTINSON POSSIBLE IN TORONTO FOR NEW CRONENBERG FILM "COSMOPOLIS"

Robert Pattinson

It's about time Toronto got a break as our Filming Production list of late has been sparse enough to strip us of our "Hollywood North" honours! But get this, Director David Cronenberg has cast Twilight's Robert Pattinson in his next project Cosmopolis as revealed by Deadline. Colin Farrell originally was considered for the role of Eric Parker, but it is Pattinson in the end who wins the heart of the acclaimed Canadian Storyteller. And besides, Farrell will likely get a much bigger paycheque for his work on the new Total Recall Film, also shooting here later in the year with that $200 million budget. Earlier reports had Cronenberg set on Toronto as a locale for the shoot.

The character of Eric is said to be a dangerous risk-taking Businessman who gambles his fortune and potentially his life.