TORONTO FILMING UPDATES: JULY 2012

Kristen Kreuk & Jay Ryan in Beauty and the Beast

Filming is kicking into High Gear in Toronto after being in the doldrums earlier this year and the Ontario Media Development Corporation have just announced some updates as to what's to come...

Everyone's curious about upcoming Teen-Fiction Series The Mortal Instruments' move to the Big Screen and in has been confirmed that Production begins August 2012 with Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) and Jemima West (The Borgias) being confirmed additions to the Cast headed by the beautiful Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror, Abducted) as Clary Fray.  Sony Screen Gems releases the Title and loves making Movies in Toronto with their Carrie Remake currently is filming in the City and also their Resident Evil: Retribution pegged for a September 2012 release.

Horror Helmer Eli Roth (Hostel, The Last Exorcism) is set to begin Production on his Netflix Series Hemlock Grove, starring Famke Janssen (X-Men Franchise), Landon Liboiron (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Dougray Scott (My Week with Marilyn).  One trusty Source spotted Roth out and about last week wearing the shortest of Shorts ... and we're not talking about those of the Film variety!

Although its Pilot was filmed here earlier this year, The CW's Beauty and the Beast was green-lit in May and its first Season begins filming in the City late July. This means Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Jay Ryan (Legend of the Seeker) and Nicole Anderson (Make It or Break It) will be back shortly.

SCOTT STEWART BEGINS WORK ON NEW SYFY SERIES "DEFIANCE"

Scott Stewart & Mr. Will-W.

The Syfy Network is set to begin production on a new Series here in Toronto called Defiance, from the Director of well-known releases Priest and Legion, Scott Stewart. Stewart flew-in to Toronto from Los Angeles tonight to begin pre-production on the Series, which is expected to film around April.

Starring in the Series is Aussie Grant Bowler (Lost, Ugly Betty) as a former Marine and Law Keeper who loses his Wife and Child at war, taking place in a future Earth where Aliens and Humans reside together.

Stewart was surprised to be recognized and happy to stop for a quick minute, lugging a cart filled with necessities to last him a while, including his Guitar.

A Video Game based on the Series also will be timed in conjunction with the premiere of Defiance. Forward thinking!

Bowler is on Twitter here.  Stewart is on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)