"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" THREE FOR THREE AT BOX OFFICE: "TOTAL RECALL" DEBUTS AT #2

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

Although it was expected to face stiff competition from Total Recall, alas The Dark Knight Rises reigns supreme a third straight week at the Box Office with a stunning $36.2 million earned this weekend. To-date in North America, it has grossed $353 million for Warner Bros.

With high expectations, the Remake of Total Recall from Len Wiseman debuts in second with a decent $26.5 million from 3,601 theatres. This still is a far cry from the $250 million in production costs footed by Sony Pictures for the Toronto-filmed Blockbuster starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. Critics also have been harsh on the Film, with Rotten Tomatoes having it at 31% on their Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox's Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 opens in third with $14.5 million, which is well below the $23 million the second installment of the Franchise opened with in March 2011.

Ted which in its sixth week of release is still in the Top Ten at number six with $5.5 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Step Up: Revolution in its second week slipping to seventh a with $5.3 million, earning a total $23 million domestically.

Former Box Office Champion Brave still is going strong in this its seventh week with $2.8 million, while Magic Mike rounds out the Top Ten with $1.7 million, making it a Warner Bros. top and bottom this weekend.

"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" STILL ON-TOP ON TEPID WEEKEND

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, The Dark Knight Rises’ dominance still isn’t enough to spark some heavier Moviegoing with last week’s Colorado Tragedy still v. present in the Public’s Pysche. Add above that the fact that everyone's glued to their Television Sets watching the Olympics. Earning $65 million this weekend, the Batman Trilogy Finale cumulatively has earned $278 in North America, surpassing the $420-million mark globally for Warner Bros.

Despite limited promotion, 20th Century Fox’s all-star Comedy The Watch still manages to debut at number two with $13.3 million. Despite a Cast of Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and Seth Rogen, it still only mustered an embarrassing 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.  This betters Ice Age 4: Continental Drift's showing just slightly in third with $13.2 million in its third week.

Step Up Revolution 3D dances its way to a debut in fourth spot with $11.8 million from 2,567 theatres, which actually is the lowest opening to-date for the Franchise. Now onto its fourth Film, the Series’ Sequels have yet to eclipse the performance of their Predecessor in 2006, which debuted with a bang at number two with $20.6 million.

Ted still continues to go strong with $7.4 million in this its fifth week of release, now earning $192.5 million in North America alone for Universal Pictures, just ahead of The Amazing Spider-Man which earns $7 million for Sony Pictures in its fourth week. It’s safe to say that the Reboot has somewhat underwhelming in terms of performance.

Meanwhile, Magic Mike still hangs-on at number eight with $2.2 million and Madea’s Witness Protection rounds out the Top Ten with $1.2 million in its fifth week.

"SPIDER-MAN" AMAZES IN DEBUT: NO RECORDS THOUGH

Still from The Amazing Spider-Man

Although many doubted the need for re-telling Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man starts off with a bang earning $65 million in its debut weekend from 4,318 theatres. Opening on Tuesday, the Film since then has grossed a total $140 million domestically for Sony Pictures. Critics are responding fairly well, with the Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone-starring Reboot earning 73% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. No records though here, although a second installment is on-the-way. By comparison, 2002's Spider-Man earned $114 million in its debut weekend from 3,876 theatres.

Ted continues to exceed expectations, pulling-in $32.5 million this weekend for Universal Pictures. The Teddy Bear Adult-Comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis in just two weeks has grossed a superb $122 million and it was made only for $50 million by comparison.

Disney's Brave is still going strong in third with $20.1 million this weekend in this its third week of release.  Domestically, it has now garnered $178.3 million. Overseas it has earned $26 million ($11 million from Russia) so far, but will continue to expand in various territories.

Oliver Stone's Savages, which debuts in fifth with $16.6 million for Universal Pictures. Critics haven't been so kind to the Film with an Allstar Cast including John Travolta, Taylor Kitsch, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Benicio del Toro and Aaron Johnson. It earned 52% on the Tomatometer. Magic Mike follows closely behind with $14.9 million earned and $75.7 million earned in two weeks for Warner Bros.

Paramount Pictures' Katy Perry: Part of Me 3-D only could muster a debut of $7.3 million in eighth this weekend from 2,730 theatres, after a July 4th Opening. Critics surprisingly loved the Film with it earning 75% on the Tomatometer.

Woody Allen's latest, To Rome with Love, rounds out the Top Ten with $3.2 million in its third week of release. The panned Comedy (45% on the Tomatometer) stars Alec Baldwin, Penélope Cruz and Jesse Eisenberg.

AUDIO: A CHAT WITH CHANNING TATUM & JOE MANGANIELLO ON "MAGIC MIKE"

Channing Tatum & Joe Manganiello in Toronto - June 2012

I recently got to sit down and chat with Hearththrobs Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello on their Box Office Smash Magic Mike here in Toronto and as promised earlier, I'd be posting Audio Excerpts.

Tatum and Manganiello touch upon various aspects of preparing for their roles as Strippers in the the Steven Soderbergh Film and give us a bit of insight also on their own Fame and experiences working together.

ADVISORY: There are Expletives in the Chat, so be warned if listening at-work or around Kids.

Check-out the Chat below:

"TED" TOPS BOX OFFICE WITH RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT; "MAGIC MIKE" SECOND-BEST

Still from Ted

Stellar weekend at the Box Office with us celebrating Canada Day Weekend up north and Americans gearing-up to celebrate their 4th of July Weekend. Although it was a heated battle between two strong R-Rated Openers in Ted and Magic Mike, alas it is the former which takes the top spot with $52.5 million from 3,239 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane also is a hit with Critics, earning 70% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. Above this, it sets the record previously held by The Hangover as the largest-ever Opening for an R-Rated Comedy.

Magic Mike also stuns in its Debut for Warner Bros., opening at number two with $38 million. The Male Stripper Dramedy starring Channing Tatum, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was made for only $7 million apparently and also has fared v. well with Critics, earning a stellar 80% on the Tomatoemeter.

Disney/Pixar's Monster Brave continues to perform well in its second week, earning $35.5 million from 4,164 theatres. To-date, it has made $132.7 million.

Meanwhile Lionsgate Films' Madea's Witness Protection Program opens in fourth spot with $27 million, one of Tyler Perry's more decent showings in quite some time considering his last few Films failed to fire.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter continues to plod along with $6.2 million this weekend for 20th Century Fox, good enough to land it in sixth spot, just ahead of Moonrise Kingdom which from just 854 theatres, earns $5 million in eighth.

DreamWorks Pictures' People Like Us starring Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks fails to impress, taking-in just $4.2 million and rounding out the bottom of the Top Ten.

CHANNING TATUM ON "LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON"

Channing Tatum on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Ew! You must watch Channing Tatum on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where the two of them appear in Drag as spoiled Teen Princesses who uncontrollably blurt out a judgmental "Ew!" at pretty much everything that comes their way.  Of course Tatum has to throw in a little plug for Magic Mike, which opened last night with special 10:00 PM Screenings.  Hilar.

Watch the Sketch below:

INTERVIEW: CHANNING TATUM & JOE MANGANIELLO ON "MAGIC MIKE"

Channing Tatum & Joe Manganiello in Toronto - June 2012

A year ago, a few eyebrows might've been raised with the talk of there being a Steven Soderbergh Male Stripper Film in development. Magic Mike as that Film now is known, will soon be revealed - pardon the pun - amidst the 2012 Summer rush of Blockbusters.  I mean, we've all heard of 1995's delicious and unintentionally-laughable Showgirls, but much still is left to be accomplished in Films of the ever-tricky Stripping genre. Stars Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello (pronounced with a hard "g") both arrived in Toronto today for the Canadian leg of Magic Mike's Press Tour. 

The Dramedy brings together Tatum and Soderbergh a second time, after having seen the release earlier this year of Mixed Martial Arts-inspired Action Flick Haywire.  This time around, the Action we see is of a whole different variety - the variety which surely you might have seen in that Clip on the Internet of Tatum gyrating onstage back in his pre-Actor days as a Stripper.  You know you clicked "refresh" on that. Don't lie.

Magic Mike follows a Man in his 30s (Tatum) who is at a turning point in his life after making quick cash - and stacks of it - as a Stripper.  Although he is successful at what he does, we soon begin to see the repercussions of this choice on his love life and ability to achieve his own dreams as an Entrepreneur. Along the way, we get to know a mix of Characters in his all-male Dance Revue. We meet the Mastermind behind it all Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), Ken (Matt Bomer), Big Dick Richie (Mangniello) and Newcomer The Kid (Alex Pettyfer). Matters become complicated when Mike falls for Paige (Cody Horn - Daughter of Warner Bros. President Alan F. Horn), who happens to be The Kid's grounded Older Sister.

On Horn's Character, Paige, Tatum reveals that her early beginnings in the Film actually are based on his own real-life Sister of the same name.  "She's a beautiful, strong-willed Woman", he tells us. "I didn't have to get my Boys when I got into a fight in the neighbourhood. I'd be like 'Yo! Let me go get my Sister!', drawing laughs from the intimate group of Journalists - some unable to contain their excitement for him. "Huge Fan here", one admits to him.

JOE MANGANIELLO IN TORONTO FOR "MAGIC MIKE" | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Joe Manganiello in Toronto - June 2012

Although he's been a familiar face for the past decade on Television, Actor Joe Manganiello's has never been hotter than right now. Known best for his work as Werewolf Alcide Herveaux on HBO's True Blood, Manganiello arrived in Toronto yesterday afternoon to promote his second of two hotly-tipped Films in 2012, Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike.  

The Dramedy has him starring alongside Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer as a member of an all-male Dance Revue.  Magic Mike has him playing the Role of Big Dick Richie, a strong, quiet-type who wows the Ladies with a natural ability or two.   Manganiello's last Film What to Expect When You're Expecting had him starring opposite the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Cameron Diaz and Anna Kendrick.

After an appearance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live last night, Manganiello was out and about doing Press earlier with Stopoffs at KISS 92.5 and Global Television's The Morning Show.  Cool and casual, he greeted Fans in his long-sleeve Jersey and Sunglasses.  Even the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Guy driving-by got a little starstruck and did a double-take!

A bit later today, I'll be chatting with the strapping Actor and his equally temperature-raising Co-Star Tatum about working on their exciting new Film, which hits theatres Friday, June 29, 2012 via Warner Bros.  Stay tuned.

In the meantime, with the help of trusty Sidekick Michelle, we were able to get Manganiello to sign a Photo for my Readers!  To enter to win, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before Saturday, July 14, 2012 to qualify. You should also be following on Twitter!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW OFFICIAL POSTER FOR "MAGIC MIKE"

Official Artwork for Magic Mike

What do you think of this new Official Poster for Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike? Who's Abs did your eyes migrate to first?  Okay I'll leave you all alone now.... Bye.

Magic Mike is out Friday, June 29, 2012.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

THE CAST OF "MAGIC MIKE" ON ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

The Cast of Magic Mike on Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly features the Cast of Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike on their current Issue, and posing for an exclusive Photo Shoot are Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer! 

The Boys tell the Magazine all about hilarious antics they experienced on-set and especially McConaughey had a bit of a close call doing one Dance Sequence where the weight of the Dollar Bills from Extras pulled on his Thong so hard that it fell off. "I stayed in sequence,” says The Lincoln Lawyer Star. “I went for the tuck. [Mimes covering his manhood] I went for the roll. [Mimes doing a forward roll] And I finished the dance.”.

The Magic Mike Issue of Entertainment Weekly is now on Newsstands. Warner Bros. releases Magic Mike on June 29, 2012.

Click here to read more and to see a Video.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)

FIRST OFFICIAL TRAILER: "MAGIC MIKE"

Still from Magic Mike

"Women. Money. And a good time".

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first heard Steven Soderbergh was working with Channing Tatum on a Male Stripper Flick based somewhat on Tatum's life? A full official Trailer for Magic Mike finally has surfaced and this actually looks like lots of fun and can't wait to see more... err, or do I mean less? LOL

Warner Bros. releases Magic Mike June 29, 2012. Tatum, Pettyfer. Bomer. McConaughey. Soderbergh. Summer heat.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

NEW EXCLUSIVE STILLS FROM "MAGIC MIKE"

Matt Bomer in Magic Mike

Everyone's talking about Warner Bros. Male Stripper Drama Magic Mike and Entertainment Weekly just scored another couple new Stills which can be seen in their 2012 Forecast Issue, now on newsstands. Matt Bomer, chats with Adam B. Vary from the Magazine, revealing that he had to get waxed for his character Ken and that indeed it was painful. He adds, "But more than that, the pain didn’t bother me so much, it was more the feeling of feeling kind of prepubescent again, walking around with no hair on your legs, in jeans, feeling kind of naked all the time, that was odd.". Now that's an Artist at work, right there!

Magic Mike hits theatres June 29, 2012.  Click here to see some more new exclusive Stills.  You know you want to.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros./Claudette Barius)

FIRST LOOK: "MAGIC MIKE" STARRING ALEX PETTYFER, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY & CHANNING TATUM

Still from Magic Mike

Finally, we get a first look at Steven Soderbergh's Male-Stripper Drama Magic Mike. The Film centers around The Kid (a now-buff Alex Pettyfer) who goes under the wings of a professional, more experienced Dancers named Mike (Channing Tatum) and Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). It is said that Tatum played a great part behind-the-scenes crafting the Story and that much of this is based upon his own experiences formerly as an Exotic Dancer.

Here we have the incredibly fit and good looking Cast ready to answer the call of the Drill Sargent (McConaughey), doing his nation proud with a flag tied around his neck.  Nothing like some good old-fashion Patriotism.

Speaking of Patriotism, Warner Bros. will be releasing Magic Mike right before 4th of July weekend on June 29, 2012 and I'm sure many of you are ready to salute!  

2012 will be a busy year for Tatum as he has Haywire out on January 20, 2012, Toronto-filmed The Vow out on February 10, 2012 in-time for Valentine's Day, 21 Jump Street on March 12, 2012 and G.I. Joe: Retaliation out on June 29, 2012.  His Ten Year, which premiered at TIFF last September also is still waiting on a release date also.  I'm out of breath just typing that....

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY JOINS CAST OF "MAGIC MIKE"

Matthew McConaughey in Toronto - March 2011

It's official.  Magic Mike just may be the sexiest Film to hit theatres in 2012.  As announced previously Steven Soderbergh is helming a Film about Male Strippers titled Magic Mike.  Its Story follows Mike (Channing Tatum), a veteran Exotic Dancer, who mentors a newcomer played by Alex Pettyfer.  McConaughey, according to Entertainment Weekly will be playing the role of the Club Owner.  

Magic Mike begins filming September 14, 2011, just after Tatum's likely return to Toronto for TIFF, where he is expected to show up for the Premiere of Ten Year, also starring his Wife Jenna Dewan. We'll know that for sure though when the official Guest List for TIFF is announced next Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  

Tatum was in Toronto just last Fall, filming The Vow alongside Rachel McAdams, which will be released Valentine's Day 2012. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CHANNING TATUM & STEVEN SODERBERGH TO COLLABORATE ON MALE STRIPPER STORY "MAGIC MIKE"

Channing Tatum in Toronto - August 2010

Yes, please. Deadline reports that Channing Tatum is set to star in a new Steven Soderbergh Film titled Magic Mike, inspired by Tatum's days as a Stripper. This quashes rumours that the Director of Traffic, Erin Brokovich and Ocean's Eleven is in fact ready to retire.  Magic Mike is said to be about the bond of Friendship among a circle of Exotic Male Dancers. 

Tatum, who was just in Toronto last Summer filming Sony Pictures' The Vow said in a Statement, "This was a wild and pivotal time in my life and I couldn't be more thrilled to go down the rabbit hole with Steven.". Substitute "stripper pole" for "rabbit pole" in that sentence for maximum effect.

Soderbergh is entering Production with Liberace, a Biopic which has Michael Douglas making his big comeback as the world-renowned Pianist.

In case you had any doubts about Tatum's talents, why don't we enjoy this Clip together?