GUILLERMO DEL TORO AT TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX FOR HITCHCOCK MASTER CLASSES

Guillermo del Toro in Toronto - May 2012

Acclaimed Mexican-born Director/Screenwriter Guillermo del Toro has been enjoying his stay in Toronto since last Fall, working on upcoming Warner Bros. Epic, Pacific Rim which wrapped earlier this month.  The Monsters versus Robots Action/Sci-Fi Flick stars Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day, Idris Elba, Robert Kazinsky, Rinko Kikuchi and Clifton Collins Jr. Earlier this year, I had the honour of doing a week's worth of scenes on the $350-million Film which will see a July 2013 release.

The Director of well-known Titles as Hellboy and Pan's Labrynth, just completed a Series of Masterclasses at TIFF Bell Lightbox in honour of Alfred Hitchcock, last week doing two appearances and this week doing a final two.  Spending almost four hours last night watching and discussing North by Northeast with his Fans and Film Lovers, Del Toro had one thing on his mind afterwards: LUMA.  Although the Kitchen was ready to close, Staff were more than willing to cater to their Star Guest and his Entourage, offering them a Private Booth.  He has been known to frequent the Restaurant often during his stay here.

Del Toro was gracious, inviting me inside for a Snap and we bonded, thrilled to hear how much fun I had working on his Film.  Also present was his Wife, Lorenza Newton.

As always, I love sharing the fun. Click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook to enter to win a Signed Photo from del Toro!  You should also be following on Twitter here.  

In the near future I'll be posting about my experience on-set. Stay tuned!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CHARLIE HUNNAM CELEBRATES HIS 32ND BIRTHDAY IN TORONTO

Charlie Hunnam in Toronto - April 2012

Happy Birthday, Charlie Hunnam!  The handsome Brit might be a bit late celebrating his Birthday as he turned 32-years-old this past Tuesday, but it certainly was not forgotten as he hit the town tonight at Rich Nightclub on Richmond Street for a much-Tweeted-about Party. Although he was in a hurry to head into his Taxi, generously he made time for Fans stopping to pose for Photos, signing a few Autographs.  Apologetically, he flagged his Driver to hold for a bit.

Hunnam stated that he has wrapped Production on Pacific Rim, although Director Guillermo del Toro will appear to be in Toronto until at least May with four upcoming scheduled appearances at TIFF Bell Lightbox.  My Sources tell me del Toro loves Luma which is situated within that Venue, often seen dining there.

A couple months back, I completed a week's worth of scenes on Pacific Rim as a Background Performer and some time in the future I will post about my experience on-set!  Stay tuned.

Watch a Clip of Hunnam as he heads to his 32nd Birthday Party:

CHARLIE DAY COMMENTS ON CANCELLATION OF TWITTER ACCOUNT

A Note from Charlie Day - March 31, 2012

Fans of Funnyman Charlie Day are all curious what happened when he mysteriously disappeared off the face of Twitter after having accumulated over 300k Fans!  The Actor who recently became a Father, currently is in Toronto still filming Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim and commented above in-writing why exactly he has cancelled his prolific account. 

Day writes to me, "Twitter is just not for me.".  V. well then!  You can't say he didn't try!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

GUILLERMO DEL TORO TO APPEAR AT TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX IN MAY

Guillermo del Toro on the set of Pan's Labrynth

Do not say he doesn't love Toronto.  Acclaimed Director Guillermo del Toro will be doing not one - but four - appearances in May at TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of their Hitchcock Master Classes with Guillermo del Toro Series. Screenings of Frenzy, Shadow of a Doubt, North by Northwast and Notorious will be taking place from May 7, 8, 15 and 16, 2012 respectively.

Each Screening will be preceded by an hour-long Introduction, followed by an hour-long Lecture from del Toro himself.  Click here for details.

Although the Director's Pacific Rim, which has been filming here since last Fall will have wrapped by then he likely will be around for a bit thereafter doing Post-Production on it, in a race to get it in theatres for July 13, 2013!  Click here to meet some of Stars who have been Toronto over the past while.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

2013 RELEASE DATES SET FOR "THE HANGOVER: PART III", "PACIFIC RIM", "300" SEQUEL AND MORE

Still from The Hangover: Part II

Movie Lovers! Here's a few new release dates for some of 2013's biggest releases, so get ready!

Warner Bros. has slated a few release dates for its biggest Summer releases:

• A Sequel for 300 on August 2, 2013 
• The Hangover: Part III on May 24, 2013 (the same day as The Fast and the Furious 6 from Universal Pictures!) 
• Pacific Rim (which we have been following closely here in Toronto) on July 12, 2013 

Soon-to-be-filed in Toronto, Robocop also is scheduled for August 9, 2013 via Sony Pictures. 

Should be an exciting Summer filled with blood, grease and bullets! 

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

CLIFTON COLLINS JR. & CHARLIE HUNNAM SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Clifton Collins Jr. & Charlie Hunnam with Fans and Mr. Will-W.

It's always nice to see Buddies together! Pacific Rim Co-stars Charlie Hunnam and Clifton Collins Jr. were spotted out and about in Toronto tonight on their way to a Sunday night Dinner. The two Actors have been in Toronto since last Fall working on the $350-million Guillermo Del Toro Action-Fantasy to be released in 2013 via Warner Bros. 

Although we spotted Hunnam only a couple weeks ago together with his Mum, we had yet to spot Collins and they were both nice enough to stop and pose for some Photos together with Fans. Some getting a Hunnam-Collins Sandwich, some opting Photos with Hunnam and Collins alone.  You Charlie Hunnam Fans have been absolutely amaze with your feedback, so enjoy this surprise!

Collins is no Stranger to Toronto.  Back in 2009, the acclaimed Actor spent a bit of time here filming Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and also a Cameo in popular Cult-Hit Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Meanwhile on the other side of town, their hunky Co-Star Max Martini flew in from Los Angeles after doing a bit of work on super-hot TV Series Revenge, to complete his final scene in Toronto on Pacific Rim.

Pacific Rim is slated to film here till April 24, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CHARLIE HUNNAM SPOTTED IN TORONTO: ENTER TO WIN SIGNED PHOTO

Charlie Hunnam in Toronto - March 2012

English Heartthrob Charlie Hunnam has been selective with his roles, but one cannot deny that he is now reaping the rewards of his discretion. First gaining attention back in 1999 in the groundbreaking original UK version of Queer as Folk as Nathan, his performance caught the likes of Madonna and Casting Directors stateside, where he has since been nursing his Career ever so carefully.  In 2008, Hunnam landed the starring role of Jax Teller on FX Series, Sons of Anarchy which centers on an Outlaw Motorcycle Club operating out of Northern California.  The acclaimed Series has seen Actress Katey Sagal go on to garner a Golden Globe Award.

Currently in-town filming Guillermo del Toro's $350-million Blockbuster Pacific Rim along with the likes of Charlie Day, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman and more, the handsome Actor was spotted out and about this weekend with his Mother enjoying a meal at Toronto "It-Spot" (and my current fave) Khao San Road ordering a bit of Takeout.  Hunnam's Mother currently is visiting from England and it was charming seeing them brave the chill together - although the enticing spiciness of their delicious Thai meal surely would easily help numb the pain of the City's deep freeze.  "I'm a creature of habit", he tells me on his love for the immensely-popular Eatery.

I had only one question for Hunnam who had to sacrifice his bushy facial scruff seen in Sons of Anarchy for his role in Pacific Rim as Raleigh Antrobus which pits Humans and Robots versus Monsters. So how long exactly does it take the 31-year-old Actor to grow a full beard?  "Two months", he tells me.  "I'm not sure I'll have it grown back in-time for the Series though".  "Prosthetics!", I shouted at him, which drew a laugh out of him.

Hunnam signed a Photo generously, which I will gladly offer-up to a deserving Fan!  To enter to win, click "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also this corresponding Post.  Follow me on Twitter also,  Your deadline is April 12, 2012.  Good luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

IDRIS ELBA: BACK IN TORONTO FOLLOWING GOLDEN GLOBE WIN

Idris Elba & Mr. Will-W.

Toronto rolled out the Red Carpet for just-crowned Golden Globe Winner Idris Elba tonight, all ready to head back to work just one day after having won the Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Miniseries/Movie in BBC's Luther.

The British Thespian/Musician/DJ currently is hard at work in Toronto on Guillermo del Toro's $350-million opus Pacific Rim, now surpassing the $250 million Total Recall as the biggest budgeted title ever to film in our City.

Lugging a bag of gear and a guitar on his back, Elba flew back to Toronto after a hectic weekend in Los Angeles for the Awards, celebrating his win at the HBO Golden Globes After Party. Yesterday, Elba had Tweeted how after losing last year, his Daughter Isan made him his own handmade Golden Globe Award. This year however, he brings home a real Award, acknowledging his beloved Daughter in his Speech on-air!

MAX MARTINI SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Max Martini & Mr. Will-W.

The Celebrities were out in full force today in Yorkville and after looking for some Marshmallows at Pusateri's, I bumped into Max Martini picking-up a little Dinner along with his Pacific Rim Co-star Robert Kazinsky.  The two apparently both flew in from Los Angeles after celebrating the New Year there, to return back to work here on the big-budget Guillermo del Toro Robot-Action Film.  Just earlier today I also ran into another of his Co-stars, Burn Gorman.

Although in a rush to enjoy to enjoy his Dinner, Martini was amazing to stop and pose for a quick Snap!  Many of you might remember Martini from his work in five-time Academy Award-winning Saving Private Ryan, alongside Tom Hanks and Matt Damon.  More recently he seems to be popping-up on every hotly-buzzed TV Series including Revenge, Hawaii Five-O, 24, Flashpoint, Castle and so many more!

Pacific Rim continues to film in Toronto and is scheduled to wrap in April.

BURN GORMAN SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Burn Gorman & Mr. Will-W.

What an amazing surprise it was today to take Billy on a walk and run into British Actor Burn Gorman strolling about Yorkville with a bag of new threads from Diesel!  Gorman who has built an extensive Résumé overseas in titles like cult-hit series Torchwood and Johnny English Reborn, is now coming into his own as a bona fide Film Star with two major releases to come this year, including Toronto-filmed Red Lights alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Sigourney Weaver, Robert DeNiro and Cillian Murphy, plus eagerly-awaited Blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises, out July 20, 2012.

Gorman revealed that he has been in-and-out of the City filming Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim and that one of the things he looks forward to most here is the Food.  His favourite spot to get a meal is Tokyo Sushi he tells me, although I recommended Yorkville's Sushi Inn, which he promises to try!  He was smitten with Billy telling me that he grew-up with Shih Tzus at-home, although his Mom's often had black and white markings.  "Let's do this, Dude!", he cued me happy to do a quick Snap on my Blackberry.  Awesome Guy!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JAMIE BELL IN TORONTO FOR "THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN"

Jamie Bell & Mr. Will-W.

Introducing Tintin himself! 25 year-old British Actor Jamie Bell is known best for his work in 2000's Billy Elliot in which he starred in the Lead Role,  Since then however, he has built a steady career in popular titles like King Kong, Flags of our Fathers, Defiance and Jane Eyre.  Bell flew-in from New York City yesterday morning for an extensive two-day Toronto Press Tour in support of Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin.

The $135 million 3-D Spectacle is expected to fare well internationally (it already has opened in several markets overseas) as Fans of the Comic Book Series have long adored it since it first was created by Hergé (Georges Remi) in the 1940s. I remember visiting London a few years back and seeing a Shop of all Tintin Memorabilia - that's how big it is over there!

The Tintin Shop in London's Soho District

I caught-up with Bell quickly one of his stop-offs today including visits to CBC, MuchMusic, CHUM-FM and a day full of interviews out of his Yorkville Hotel. Despite being rushed by his Handler, he was a Gentleman about it all, stopping to pose for a Photo and signing Autographs for Fans.  It's been a while since he's been in Toronto, after filming Doug Liman's Jumper here back in 2008 alongside Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson. While in the City, Bell made sure to check-out the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins last night at Air Canada Centre.

ROBERT KAZINSKY IN TORONTO FOR "PACIFIC RIM"

Robert Kazinsky & Mr. Will-W.

Although he's known mostly for his work on BBC's Soap Opera Series EastEnders and ABC's Brothers & Sisters, Robert Kazinsky is well on his way to becoming a familiar face in North America. 

The Thespian has been in-town filming Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim alongside Idris Elba, Charlie Day and Charlie Hunnam.  After running into the handsome Brit this evening in Yorkville, he tells me that he is one of the few Cast members who will be here in the City til April 2012, assuring me that for sure there are many chances to spot his Co-stars.  "It's looking quite amazing", he assures me.  "You can't f*ck with del Toro!".  Kazinsky will be playing the role of Yancy Antrobus  in the Robots vs. Aliens Spectacle.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

IDRIS ELBA, CHARLIE DAY & CHARLIE HUNNAM CONFIRMED FOR "PACIFIC RIM"

Charlie Day

At long last, Toronto has scored another new Production!  Director Guillermo del Toro who in 2007 was nominated for an Oscar with Pan's Labrynth, will be filming his new Sci-Fi/Action flick Pacific Rim (Working Title: Still Seas) in the City beginning Halloween through April 2012. 

Pacific Rim will see Humans boarding giant Robots to fight-off gargantuan Monsters and confirmed so far are Idris Elba, star of 2009's campy Obsessed and also Horrible Bosses star Charlie Day, who for a change will be taking on a more serious role.  British Actor Charlie Hunnam also will be starring and is known best for his work on Sons of Anarchy.

Although Tom Cruise originally was considered for Elba's role, alas that fell-through.  Will be exciting to see the Cast list expand in the near future.  Perhaps newly-upgraded Pinewood Studios will play host to filming?

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)