Toronto Sees "Red"

Sneak Peek exclusive footage of Summit Entertainment's Toronto-lensed comic book adaptation "Red", starring Bruce Willis and John Malkovich, shooting nighttime police car sequences approaching the Toronto Parking Authority parking garage, @ 2 Church Street, south of Front Street along Church, on March 3, accompanied by 'loud simulated gunfire'.

"Red" is an adaptation of DC Comics graphic novel of the same name by author Warren Ellis.

Cast also includes Mary-Louise Parker, Academy Award-winners Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman, Karl Urban, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, Ernest Borgnine, Julian McMahon, James Remar and Rebecca Pidgeon.

"...Red is the story of 'Frank Moses' (Willis), a former black-ops CIA agent, who is now living a quiet life. That is, until the day a hi-tech assassin shows up intent on killing him. With his identity compromised and the life of the woman he cares for, Sarah (Parker), endangered, Frank reassembles his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in a last ditch effort to survive..."

Directed by Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife") from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber ("Whiteout"), the film is produced by di Bonaventura Pictures' Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"). Executive producers are Jake Myers ("Hollywoodland"") and Gregory Noveck ("Jonah Hex"). Di Bonaventura Pictures' production exec David Ready is co-producer.

Red reunites Schwentke with DP Florian Ballhaus ("Marley & Me") and Oscar-winning film editor Thom Noble ("Thelma & Louise") .

"Red" will continue shooting in and around the metro Toronto area before moving to New Orleans, late March for the final two weeks of principal photography.

The film is scheduled for worldwide release, October 22, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Red"...

Toronto's "Copper" Shines @ MIPTV

The Toronto-lensed, police TV series, "Copper", created by Tassie Cameron, will be presented at MIPTV, April 12 to 16 in Cannes, France, with series actors Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith in attendance.

Premise of "Copper" follows five young rookie cops out of police academy who fight, drink, sleep and work together.

"...Now they’re on the job together. They’re kids with guns, experiencing firsthand the hardest kind of policing there is. They are first responders, and they are about to learn that no amount of training prepares you for life..."

Peregrym portrays 'Andy McNally', Smith is 'Dov Epstein', Enuka Okuma is 'Traci Nash', Travis Milne is 'Chris Diaz' and Charlotte Sullivan plays 'Gail Peck'.

Click the poster to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Copper"...

"KISS" Plays With Children's Series

The rock band KISS, controlled by Gene Simmons, has finalized a production and development deal for a new children's TV series with Canadian studio, E1 Entertainment.

Founding KISS members, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley will collaborate with the company to create a 'comedic half-hour' series.

"We’re honored to be involved in carrying on the KISS legacy,” comments Frank Saperstein, Senior VP, Kids and Animation, E1.

"It’s wonderful to collaborate with the creative forces behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time and unquestionably one of the most recognized worldwide."

The KISS brand has been active as the new face of soft drink Dr. Pepper, their significant presence during Super Bowl XLIV and their appearance on the 2009 "American Idol" Finale, reaching over thirty million viewers.

"KISS continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from KISS M&M's to KISS Dr. Pepper,” said Simmons.

"KISS is a band, but also the only music BRAND. Continuing in our 35 year history of going where no band has gone before, we are proud to partner with E1. Like all things KISS, we intend to make this a very special show for our fans."

The as-yet untitled series will be produced/distributed worldwide by E1, from executive producers John Morayniss and Frank Saperstein for E1 and Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley for KISS. E1 and KISS will handle all licensing and merchandise for the series.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek KISS...

"Kick-Ass": Become A Superhero Today

"Kick-Ass", the upcoming superhero movie, based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr., directed by Matthew Vaughn and produced by actor Brad Pitt, premieres April 16, 2010 in North America and April 2, 2010 in the UK.

"Kick-Ass" filmed in the UK and in Toronto.

The soundtrack single to the film, will be released in the UK, April 12, 2010, performed by pop singer Mika and produced by RedOne.

Click the new poster to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Kick-Ass"...

Actor Corey Haim Is Dead

Toronto-born Corey Haim, the 38-year old actor best known for his teen role opposite Corey Feldman in the vampire feature "The Lost Boys", has died of a suspected drug overdose March 10, according to the Los Angeles Police Department...

"The Hurt Locker" Wins Best Picture/Director Oscars

The Oscars/Academy Awards winners, presented March 7, 2010 are:

Best Picture – "The Hurt Locker"
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker")
Best Actress in a Lead Role – Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side")
Best Actor in a Lead Role – Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart")
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Christoph Waltz ("Inglorious Basterds")
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Mo’Nique ("Precious")
Best Animated Feature Film – "Up"
Best Art Direction – "Avatar"
Best Cinematography – "Avatar"
Best Costume Design – "The Young Victoria"
Best Documentary Feature – "The Cove"
Best Documentary Short – "Music By Prudence"
Best Film Editing – "The Hurt Locker"
Best Foreign Language Film – "The Secret in their Eyes" (Argentina)
Best Makeup – "Star Trek"
Best Original Score – "Up"
Best Original Song – "Crazy Heart"
Best Sound Editing – "The Hurt Locker"
Best Sound Mixing – "The Hurt Locker"
Best Visual Effects – "Avatar"
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – "Precious"
Best Writing (Original Screenplay) – "The Hurt Locker"

The World Bends Over For "Kick-Ass"- April 16

Sneak Peek the newest character posters for director Matthew Vaughn's upcoming comic book movie "Kick-Ass"', based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.

January 2010, an international trailer of the film was slammed by family groups for its display of violence and use of the line "OK you cunts, let's see what you can do now" by actress Chloe Moretz, who was 12 at the time of filming.


Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey claimed "the language offensive and the values inappropriate - without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".

"Kick-Ass" is based on the 8-issue "Kick-Ass" comic book mini-series following a superhero fan who decides to become a costumed crime-fighting vigilante, meeting up with other vigilantes including 'Red Mist' and the father-daughter team of 'Big Daddy' and 'Hit Girl'.

Visually, Vaughn wanted to make a bright and glossy film', "...so what happens in the film is shocking, not the style...", he said. "I just let the characters do the dark stuff and let the lighting be... I just thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the look and the action... "

Vaughn acquired film rights to "Kick-Ass" for his Marv Films, when the KA comic book debuted February 2008. He then financed the film independently after "every studio turned it down".

"Kick-Ass" is co-produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B. Shooting locations included the UK and Toronto.

Premise of the "Kick-Ass" comics follows 'Dave Lizewski', a New York City high school student, who takes an interest in comic books as his cue to become a vigilante hero, assembling a suit and mask, worn under his normal clothing.

His first attempt at fighting crime results in Dave being overpowered, then hit by a car. But determined to retain his secret identity, he hides his costume before paramedics arrive.

Dave tells his father he was mugged, before undergoing four operations followed by intense physical rehabilitation. Weeks later, bruised but undaunted, Dave tosses his crutches, dons his costume and takes off again for 'patrol'.

After saving a man in need of assistance, an onlooker films the scene on a cellphone camera and uploads it to YouTube, turning Dave Lizewski into an instant media sensation called 'Kick-Ass'.


The $70 million comic book adaptation will be released by Lionsgate April 16, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Kick-Ass"...

"Flashpoint" Season 2, Volume 1 - March 23

Phase 4 Films will release the award-winning, Toronto-lensed cop TV series "Flashpoint" Season 2, Volume 1 on DVD March 23, 2010.

"...'The Strategic Response Unit' is a team of cops like no other - they're the elite, the blueblood of the force. High risk is their business, and life-and-death stakes are their world. The SRU team is also unique; they rescue hostages, bust gangs, defuse bombs, climb buildings, see through walls and talk down suicidal teens. It takes years on the street, intense physical conditioning and elite marksmanship to qualify for the SRU. They have to prove that they're at the top of their game on a daily basis - because if they're not, there are hundreds of others willing to step in and take their place. The team uses state-of-the-art equipment - sniper rifles, snake-cameras, robots, flash-bangs, night-vision and Tasers. But beyond all of the cool gadgetry, the most important weapons in their arsenal are human intuition, a gift for words and their ability to read emotion. Each team member is uniquely trained in negotiating, profiling and getting inside a subject's head. They stand out because of the rare balance between lethal hardware and people skills: pure muscle and pure intuition. They're the envy of law enforcement everywhere.The stakes are always high in Flashpoint -- only here, the lives of the men and women on the team are also always on the line. That's the nature of the job. The SRU may be heroes, but they are also human. At the end of the day, they each go home haunted by what they've seen, by what they've had to do - pursued by new demons which they cram into already bulging closets. They lock down emotion and they second-guess decisions made in the heat of the moment. These individuals are constant witnesses to the extremes of human distress. Not everyone is cut out for this.

"...If you're a cop, you're three times more likely to kill yourself than to be killed by a bad guy..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Flashpoint"...

"Max Manus": Toronto Screening Ticket Give-Aaway- March 15

TorontoFilm.Net is giving away double ticket passes to a special screening of "Max Manus" in Toronto, Monday March 15 at 7PM @ AMC Yonge & Dundas.

"Max Manus" opens in Toronto April 2.

"...Based on a true story, 'Max Manus', follows 'Manus' (Aksel Hennie) from the outbreak of World War II until the summer of 1945. After fighting against the Russians during the Winter War in Finland, Manus returns to a German-occupied Norway. He joins the resistance movement and becomes one of the most important members of the so-called 'Oslo Gang', soon confirming his reputation for audacity by making two daring escapes from German captivity. One of the film’s most thrilling sequences is a detailed account of the sabotage techniques used to sink a heavily guarded German supply ship in Oslo harbour, an act that leads to severe retaliation from the local Gestapo leader, 'Siegfred Fehmer' (Ken Dunkun)..."

To get your free double-pass to see "Max Manus", go to Toronto's Filmfest DVD Rentals @ 405 Duplex Avenue, Toronto and tell them TorontoFilm.Net sent you.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Max Manus"...

Hamilton's Jones Leads ABC Primetime PIlot

Hamilton, Ontario-born actor, comedian Jason Jones, currently a "Daily Show" TV 'correspondent' will play the lead in the ABC TV pilot "How to Be a Better American."

Jones will portray a father "...on a journey to be a better person..."

Jones has worked on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" since 2005.

Other "Daily Show" correspondents who have gone onto US primetime include Steve Carell and Ed Helms ("The Office"), Rob Corddry, ("The Winner") and Rob Riggle ("Team Spitz")...

York Sees A Future In "3D Flic"

Toronto's York University reports they have raised over $1.4
million in funding, including $436,000 from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, for "3D FLIC", a 2-year project in association with major film partners to explore 3D film production.

Prof. Ali Kazimi will lead a team working with Cinespace Film Studios, 3D Camera Company, Starz Animation, Toronto and Saw VII Production Canada, in association with the Canadian Film Centre, to develop 3D film projects in conjunction with psychologists @ York's Centre for Vision Research.

Purpose of the study is to create superior post-production technologies for 3D films, lensed in Ontario...

The World Bends Over For "Kick-Ass"

Sneak Peek the new character posters for director Matthew Vaughn's upcoming comic book adaptation "Kick-Ass", opening April 16.

January 2010, an international trailer of the film was slammed by family groups for its display of violence and use of the line "OK you cunts, let's see what you can do now" delivered by actress Chloe Moretz, who was 12 at the time of filming.



Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey claimed "the language offensive and the values inappropriate - without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".

In response to the controversy, Ms. Moretz stated in an interview with MTV, "If I ever uttered one word that I said in 'Kick-Ass', I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl."

"Kick-Ass" is based on the 8-issue "Kick-Ass" comic book mini-series created by Mark "Wanted" Millar and John Romita Jr. following a superhero fan who decides to become a costumed crime-fighting vigilante. Along the way, he meets up with other vigilantes including 'Red Mist' and father-daughter team 'Big Daddy' and 'Hit Girl'.

Visually, Vaughn wanted to make a bright and glossy film', "...so what happens in the film is shocking, not the style...", he said. "I just let the characters do the dark stuff and let the lighting be... I just thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the look and the action... "

Vaughn acquired film rights to "Kick-Ass" for his Marv Films, when the KA comic book debuted February 2008. He then financed the film independently after "every studio turned it down".

"Kick-Ass" is co-produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B.

Premise of "Kick-Ass" follows 'Dave Lizewski', a New York City high school student, who takes an interest in comic books as his cue to become a vigilante hero, assembling a suit and mask, worn under his normal clothing.

His first attempt at fighting crime results in Dave being overpowered, then hit by a car. But determined to retain his secret identity, he hides his costume before paramedics arrive.

Dave tells his father he was mugged, before undergoing four operations followed by intense physical rehabilitation. Weeks later, bruised but undaunted, Dave tosses his crutches, dons his costume and takes off again for 'patrol'.

After saving a man in need of assistance, an onlooker films the scene on a cellphone camera and uploads it to YouTube, turning Dave Lizewski into an instant media sensation called 'Kick-Ass'.


The $70 million comic book adaptation will be released by Lionsgate April 16, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Kick-Ass"...