MADONNA AND CAST OF "W.E." AT VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

Madonna at W.E. Premiere - Venice Film Festival 2011

Photographer Gareth Catermole of Getty Images captured lots of great Photos of Madonna arriving on the Photo Call for W.E. in Venice earlier today.  She looks absolutely stunning!  

Visit Zimbio for the full set of Photos.

It's hard to believe that She plus Cast members Abbie Cornish and Andrea Riseborough will be here in Toronto in a little over a week!  Early Reviews, including one from Variety however, aren't so promising.

And I'm thrilled to say I got to meet one of the Stars of W.E. already, Natalie Dormer, back in March.  An absolute Doll.

(Photo credit: Gareth Catermole/Getty Images)

THE WEINSTEIN CO. PICKS-UP MADONNA'S "W.E."

Abbie Cornish at TIFF 2007

I've been keeping a tab on this one for a while now and am excited about this bit of news! The Weinstein Co., purveyor of some of my favourites like NINE, Blue Valentine and Academy Awards Best Picture winner The King's Speech, announced yesterday that it will be handling the U.S. distribution for Madonna's directorial debut, W.E.

The Romantic Drama which criss-crosses the love stories of King Edward VIII  (James D'Arcy) who famously gave up his title as King of England to be with a Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), an American Divorcée, together with a modern day Love Story more than 60 years later between an American Girl named Wally (Abbie Cornish) and a Russian Security Guard Evgeni (Oscar Isaac).  Fans of The King's Speech will recall that Film touched upon this famous Romance between King Edward VIII and Simpson.  Natalie Dormer who I met in Toronto a couple months back filming ABC's Poe, also stars.

Weinstein issued a statement yesterday stating “Madonna has really come into her own as a Filmmaker with W.E.,” said Weinstein. “She’s taken one of the most famous romances of the 20th Century and brought it to life in a smart, sexy and thoroughly modern way. It’s a terrific addition to our U.S. release slate.”.

CHRISTOPHER EGAN IN TORONTO FILMING ABC'S "POE"

Christopher Egan & Mr. Will-W.

At long last, I've found him!  The Cast and Crew of ABC's Poe have set-up camp in downtown Toronto after a couple days of filming out east at Whitby's Trafalgar Castle.  Earlier this evening, a bunch of savvy Fans caught  handsome Australian Actor Christopher Egan, known best for his work in Romantic-Comedy Letters to Juliet and NBC's Kings.  Egan was just finishing a Lunch Break during the late-night shoot with Co-Star Natalie Dormer of BBC's acclaimed The Tudors and upcoming Feature, Captain America: The First Avenger.

Dormer joked, "We're going to have to start charging for Photos you know!" as she posed happily with Fans and signed some Autographs.  Egan, who plays the lead role of Edgar Allen Poe in the Series Pilot, out of concern asked, "How long have you Guys been out here?".  Fortunately it wasn't too frigid out, although surely the rise in temperature and his arrival in the City seem to be a bit of a coincidence, no?

NATALIE DORMER & KEVIN MCNALLY OF ABC'S "POE" SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Natalie Dormer & Mr. Will-W.

ABC's eagerly-awaited Television Series Pilot Poe starts filming tomorrow and I've spotted a few more Cast members in and around town. No luck yet though in sighting its star Christopher Egan, who reportedly has transformed his appearance with darker hair.

I did have the pleasure of meeting lovely The Tudors star Natalie Dormer who will be playing the role of Celeste Chevalier, romantic partner of Edgar Allen Poe (Egan). Dormer who actually is a Blonde originally, was absolutely lovely taking the time to chat for a bit after a day of preparations, telling me that today was a bit hectic as final touches are being completed for tomorrow. She spotted my Hunter Wellingtons and thought brought her a big smile, being a Brit.

Kevin McNally & Mr. Will-W.

Veteran Actor Kevin McNally, a fellow Brit to Dormer, also was spotted today and many of us might remember him for his work more recently in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. He will be playing the role of Kyle Kilpatrick in Poe and he also was v. friendly, chuckling at my complaints of the cold weather in Toronto. "Come on now, you should be used to it by now!", he told me. Well, he does have a point.

I wish the Cast and Crew of Poe all the best with filming as the Series looks superb already in its perfect casting.  Cannot wait to see how it will turn out and I cannot wait to meet The Talented Mr. Egan!