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The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is scheduled to take place from September 4th through the 14th, and today the festival (known as TIFF) announced this year’s Centrepiece programme, their global showcase of compelling cinema from around the world. As a press release notes, “his year, there are 55 titles from filmmakers representing nearly fifty countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chad, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Iraq, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, reflecting TIFF’s commitment to global cinema. Centrepiece provides a platform for internationally recognized films, acclaimed titles from other festivals around the globe, and highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents.” Centrepiece has been programmed by Jason Anderson, Kelly Boutsalis, Diana Cadavid, Robyn Citizen, Claire Diao, Giovanna Fulvi, June Kim, Dorota Lech, Anita Lee, Peter Kuplowsky, Andréa Picard, and Jason Ryle – and one of the standouts among...

The world premieres of Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour’s crime mystery Unidentified,Erupcja starringCharli Xcx,and Canadian DJ Kid Koala’s animation Space Cadet join picks from Cannes, Venice and Berlin in the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Centrepiece programme.

The selection of world cinema includes 19 world premieres, including Jan Komasa’s kidnap drama Good Boy starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough; Kirk Jones’s Tourette’s biopic I Swearabout trailblazer John Davidson starring Robert Aramayo and Peter Mullan, which Studiocanal will distribute in theUK and Bankside Films handles for world sales; Jitank Singh Gurjar’s Indian family drama...

The Toronto International Film Festival has selected 55 movies for its Centrepiece programme of the 50th fest, movies which are a “global showcase of compelling cinema from around the world” per this Am’s release. TIFF, presented by Rogers, runs from Sept. 4-14.

Titles from close to 50 countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chad, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Iraq, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand are reflected in the curation.

Those filmmakers with works in this part of the lineup, and that also includes North American premieres, are Hubert Davis, Mathieu Denis, Hasan Hadi, Chie Hayakawa, Anders Thomas Jensen, Jan Komasa, Richard Linklater, Sergei Loznitsa, Pietro Marcello, Christian Petzold, Potsy Poncirol and Álvaro Olmos Torrico.

Centrepiece has 19 world premieres including:

Blood Lines, Gail Maurice’s sophomore feature, a pastoral drama of family and reconnection.

Carolina Caroline, directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier, an outlaw romance starring Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner.

Toronto International Film Festival announced the lineup for its Centerpiece program on Tuesday, spotlighting 55 total films from nearly 50 countries. “Blue Moon” from director Richard Linklater, a collaboration between the U.S. and Ireland, will have its North American premiere in the largely international section of the festival.

Of the 55 films screening in the Centerpiece program, 51 represent countries outside of the U.S. Some are collaborations with the U.S., while most are entirely international productions. Likewise, only six films are sole productions of Canada, with one co-production between Canada and Hungary.

18 of the films present in the section will have their world premieres at TIFF. These include “Good Boy,” starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough; Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner “Carolina Caroline,” from director Adam Carter Rehmeier, who previously made “Dinner in America” and “Snack Shack”; and “Wasteman,” the debut feature from Cal McMau starring David Jonsson from “Alien: Romulus” and “Industry.

Don’t let anybody tell you differently: the fall festival announcements aren’t even close to being over. Look no further than the second part of today’s morning double whammy, as the Toronto International Film Festival has just announced its sprawling Centrepiece program, just one hour after the New York Film Festival released its own Main Slate. On its own, this lineup would be juicy enough. Paired with NYFF? Well, there goes our morning.

TIFF’s internationally-focused section has always been a feast for fans of global cinema, and this year’s lineup is no exception. This year, there are 55 titles (and 19 world premieres) from filmmakers representing nearly fifty countries, all reflecting the festival’s enduring commitment to global cinema.

This year’s lineup includes the latest work from influential filmmakers Hubert Davis, Mathieu Denis, Hasan Hadi, Chie Hayakawa, Anders Thomas Jensen, Jan Komasa, Richard Linklater, Sergei Loznitsa, Pietro Marcello,...

On Tuesday, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) announced the highly anticipated lineup for its 2025 Centerpiece program.

This year's festival features a total of 55 titles from filmmakers representing nearly 50 countries, including works from Bolivia, France, Iraq, and Kenya. This wide-ranging selection shines a spotlight on TIFF's enduring commitment to presenting interesting stories from every corner of the globe. The Centerpiece program serves as a platform for internationally recognized films, acclaimed selections from other prestigious festivals, and premieres from both Canadian and international talents.

This year, cinephiles can look forward to the latest projects from a host of influential directors, including Mathieu Denis' Cost of Heaven, Hasan Hadi's The President’s Cake, Jan Komasa's Good Boy, Anders Thomas Jensen's The Last Viking, Richard Linklater's Blue Moon, Pietro Marcello's Duse, Christian Petzold's Miroirs No. 3, and Álvaro Olmos Torrico's The Condor Daughter.

Another notable name at TIFF will be Sean Baker,...

I Swear, the new film starring Robert Aramayo has launched its official trailer, and the 2-minute clip is already an emotional rollercoaster of fear, humor, humiliation, grief, and social isolation. But even through it all, themes of found family, persevering against the odds, and finding love and belonging in the most unexpected places play throughout the short trailer.

Directed by Kirk Jones, his first feature film in 9 years since My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the upcoming movie is a true drama based on the life of a man from the Scottish Borders who grew up with Tourette’s in the unforgiving society of the 1980s.

‘I Swear’ is a Must-Watch Film For Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Different I Swear (2025) starring Robert Aramayo [Credit: Bankside Films]

Taken from the title of John Davidson’s autobiography, I Swear follows the extraordinary life of a man born with Tourette’s in a...

Studiocanal today reveals an exclusive look at the first trailer for ‘I Swear,’ based on the remarkable true-life story of Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson.

Diagnosed with Tourette’s at age 15, John Davidson faced and overcame many hardships from adolescence and early adulthood as a result of what was a little-known and entirely misunderstood condition in 1980s Britain.

Written and directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee), the film stars Robert Aramayo (The Rings of Power, The King’s Man, Behind Her Eyes) as John Davidson.

Supporting cast includes three-time BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake (Words of War, The Theory of Everything, Say Nothing), BAFTA-winner Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Trainspotting), and Cannes Best Actor Award winner & Golden Lion winner Peter Mullan (War Horse, The Magdalene Sisters). ok at the first trailer ‘I Swear,’ based on the remarkable true-life story of Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner,...

Studiocanal flew the flag for independent studios at CineEurope with a chunky slate presentation on Tuesday (June 17), spotlighting a mix of local and international titles across a range of genres.

The company billed itself as “Europe’s leading studio” in remarks by Hugh Spearing, EVP of global marketing and distribution. Spearing also trumpeted Studiocanal’s “best year ever” at the global box office, referring to a period across 2024 and the start of 2025, with titlesincluding Paddington In Peru, We Live In Time and French hit Beating Hearts.

The company is offering a “wide range of entertainment for diverse audiences”, said Spearing,...

A new stage musical based on the 1998 film comedy Waking Ned Devine is being developed with The Color Purple director John Doyle, Come From Away book writer David Hein and Oscar winning Once composers and lyricists Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard.

A production timeline for the Broadway-bound musical will be announced later.

In a statement, Doyle said, “Waking Ned Devine attracted me as a funny, heartwarming musical that serves as a timely reminder of the value of community. The inhabitants of a small Irish village working together, overcoming self-interest and greed, all for the good of their families and neighbors.”

Doyle continued, “No one could be better than Markéta and Glen to bring out the musicality in these Celtic characters and David is unmatched in his ability to find the heart and humanity in such a story.”

Written and directed by Kirk Jones, the Waking Ned Devine movie was released...

When March 17th rolls around, you better be wearing green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Well, at least if you don't want to get pinched. As the name implies, St. Patrick's Day is a Catholic feast day that honors the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, the fifth century Bishop and patron saint of the Emerald Isle. In the 1,564 years since he died (give or take) his feast day has evolved into a general celebration of Irish heritage. Because as you might have heard, the Irish love to have a good time. For that reason, St. Patrick's Day (St. Paddy's or St. Pat's Day for you informal types) is one of our favorite holidays.

Alas, when it comes to movies, St. Patrick's Day doesn't get the same attention as Christmas, which basically has an entire film genre dedicated to it. It's certainly not as cinematically celebrated as Halloween, which essentially includes every horror movie.

Exclusive: Ahead of the European Film Market, Bankside Films has revealed multiple pre-sales on BAFTA nominee Kirk Jones’ Tourette’s drama I Swear, which is currently in post production.

Bankside will be showing a promo to buyers in Berlin and above is a first-look image of the film starring Robert Aramayo (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake (The Theory of Everything), Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), and veteran Scottish actor and Cannes Best Actor Award winner Peter Mullan (The Magdalene Sisters).

Pic has sold to Australia / New Zealand (Transmission), Benelux (Imagine Film Distribution), Germany (Wild Bunch), Greece (Neo Films), Israel (Lev Cinema), Middle East (Front Row), Spain (SelectaVision), Switzerland (Praesens) and UK & Ireland (Studiocanal).

Based on the life story of notable Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson, the producers worked closely with the Tourette’s community, casting individuals who live with Tourette’s,...

Exclusive: The Emma Thompson-penned musical adaptation of fantasy movie Nanny McPhee, about a witch who possesses magical powers wielded through her walking stick, is being primed to hit London’s West End in 2026, Deadline can reveal.

Oscar-winner Thompson, songwriter Gary Clark and Working Title’s stage division have been developing the production, based on the 2005 film directed by Kirk Jones, which starred Thompson in the title role, on and off for over a decade.

Olivia Colman played the snaggle-toothed nanny at an early workshop in London of the musical in 2018. This was confirmed to me at the time by Thompson, who praised Colman’s “wonderful” performance. Lily James and Rory Kinnear also took part in the original workshop. Sophie Thompson participated in later test-runs.

Colman has not been involved in subsequent run-throughs, but that doesn’t rule out her possible involvement in the West End.

My sources, who declined...

“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” star Robert Aramayo is set to play a Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner in upcoming biopic titled “I Swear.”

Directed by Kirk Jones (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”), who is returning for his first feature film in eight years, “I Swear” tells the story of Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson. Principal photography recently wrapped in Scotland.

“I Swear” follows Davidson’s journey with Tourette’s through his troubled teens and early adulthood, having been diagnosed at 15 years old in 1980s Britain – a time when the condition was little known and entirely misunderstood.

“Targeted as insane by his peers, Davidson lives with a condition few have ever witnessed, as he attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds,” reads the synopsis.

Aramayo is joined by Shirley Henderson (“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”), Maxine Peake (“Funny Cow”) and Peter Mullan (“War Horse”) in the film,...

Speculation around Blade appearing in Deadpool & Wolverine grows, but a leaked image hints at a different version of the half-vampire hero. Blade's importance in Marvel history and public eye heightens anticipation for his MCU debut in the upcoming Blade movie. Despite production issues and director changes, the possibility of Blade appearing in Deadpool & Wolverine remains uncertain.

Speculation that Blade will appear in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe entry Deadpool & Wolverine has only increased over time - but the theories around this appear to have some flaws. When looking at the story of Deadpool & Wolverine and its multiversal leanings, there is precedent for the character appearing in the film: Ryan Reynolds famously starred in Blade: Trinity alongside Wesley Snipes 20 years ago. However, one more recently released image has suggested that a different version of the half-vampire hero may be appearing in the film.

Blade has been an essential figure in Marvel storytelling,...

Ryan Reynolds is returning as Deadpool in the upcoming MCU feature Deadpool & Wolverine. The movie brings Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine back in a multiversal adventure. As a film dealing with the multiverse, it is confirmed to include many X-Men characters and other Marvel cameos.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in Deadpool & Wolverine | Marvel Studios

The rumor mill has been rampant with scoopers and fans speculating about various characters and actors reprising their Marvel roles for the film. Among them is the rumored appearance of Wesley Snipes’ Blade. A new still from Deadpool & Wolverine shows a possible variant of Blade, but it does not look to be played by Snipes.

New Deadpool & Wolverine Images Seem To Include A Possible Appearance of Blade

Ryan Reynolds worked with Wesley Snipes in Blade: Trinity which had a troubled production | New Line Cinema

In recent months, new images from Deadpool & Wolverine have continued to drop,...

Following the conclusion of the Dceu with the release of ‘Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom,’ James Gunn has been diligently preparing for the production of ‘Superman: Legacy,’ an upcoming Superman movie that both Gunn and Safran view as the true starting point of the Dcu, despite ‘Creature Commandos’ being released earlier.

Known for his active presence on social media, Gunn frequently engages with fans, addressing questions, dispelling rumors, and offering valuable insights into the anticipated final product. Fans are particularly eager about the cast members, with Gunn stating that over 90% of the cast is already confirmed. Another aspect generating excitement is the selection of technical personnel poised to elevate ‘Superman: Legacy’ into the cinematic masterpiece envisioned by Gunn.

Responding to inquiries on Threads about potential cinematographers for the project, Gunn enthusiastically revealed that Henry Braham, a cinematographer he has previously collaborated with, is set to take on the role.

Henry Braham,...

Ever since the Dceu concluded with the reBit lease of ‘Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom’ Gunn has been working tirelessly to start production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ an upcoming Superman movie that both Gunn and Safran consider the true beginning of the Dcu despite ‘Creature Commandos’ being released first.

Gunn is quite active on social media, and more often than not, he answers fan questions and debunks rumors, as well as provides useful insights regarding what the finished product might be like. The aspect of the movie that fans are most excited about are certainly the cast members (and Gunn claims that he has more than 90% of the cast locked in) and the technical personnel set to transform ‘Superman: Legacy’ into a prime movie Gunn imagines it to be.

Gunn was recently asked on Threads about potential names that might serve as cinematographers for the upcoming project, and Gunn was more than...

By the time "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" hit theaters this year, a whole lot had happened between the popular franchise's second installment and its third. On screen, Nick (Louis Mandylor) got separated, Maria (Lainie Kazan) developed dementia, and Ian (John Corbett) retired. Offscreen, Andrea Martin gained new stardom playing demon-hunting nun Sister Andrea in the Paramount+ series "Evil," while the cast also lost one co-star -- Michael Constantine, who passed away in 2021.

The new movie's plot hinges around the aftermath of patriarch Gus' (Constantine) death, as Toula (Nia Vardalos) explains in the film's trailer that it was Gus' last wish that the family visit his childhood village in Greece. Thus, instead of a wedding, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" actually centers around a family reunion with all the cultural flair you'd expect from the Portokalos family. If you missed the movie in theaters, you won't have to...

John Stamos appeared on “The Howard Stern Show” to promote his new memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me,” and revealed that his alcoholism got so bad around 2015 that he actually does not remember being on set to film his role in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.” The actor appeared to forget he even booked a part in the film and was reminded the day after his 2015 arrest for driving under the influence that he had to go to Toronto, Canada, to film.

In previous interviews, Stamos has said his 2015 DUI arrest was a definitive moment in convincing him that it was time to get sober. But it didn’t happen instantly. He told Stern that after he got home from jail, he “drank another bottle of wine by myself.”

“I was just with Rita Wilson and Nia [Vardalos] in Greece and I realized, I forgot that the next day [after the arrest] they said,...

Nia Vardalos is gearing up to release “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” in theaters, but helming and starring in a beloved rom-com trilogy was probably not something her first Hollywood agent thought was possible for her. In an interview with MovieMaker magazine (conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike), Vardalos revealed her first agent told her she was too ugly to be a leading lady in Hollywood. This was before she became an industry breakout with the success of 2002’s “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

“Sometimes I’m depicted as this very strong person who was rejected by Hollywood and therefore created my own story,” Vardalos said. “The reality is that it hurt to be told that my ethnicity and my looks were the problem. I never had my looks categorized as being detrimental to my career. So, anyway, f- her, because look how it turned out.”

“My agent...

The first My Big Fat Greek Wedding, released in 2002, was directed by John Zwick, and the second one by Kirk Jones. Fans are excited to see Nia Vardalos take the reins in her story and show off her visual style. The movie comes to us from the mighty production power of companies Playtone, Golden Circle, and HBO.

The original My Big Fat Greek Wedding followed the journey of Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), a shy woman surrounded by boisterous personalities. Freshly turned 30, she works for her Greek immigrant parents in the family's restaurant, has always done so, and has little hope of achieving any of her other dreams. To overcome her parents and her culture's expectations, Toula courageously enrolls in college to learn computer technology. This leads to her landing a new job and more independence. For the first time in her family's history, she also begins dating a kind,...

To celebrate the release of Nanny McPhee coming to DVD and with bonus material, on 28th August, we have 2 DVDs to give away!

A dark and witty fable starring Oscar-winners Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Nanny McPhee is a classic children’s adventure.

Emma Thompson plays Nanny McPhee – a person of unsettling appearance and magical powers who enters the household of the recently widowed Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) and attempts to tame his seven exceedingly ill-behaved children. The children have managed to drive away 17 previous nannies but as Nanny McPhee takes control, they begin to notice that their vile behaviour now leads swiftly and magically to rather startling consequences.

Cast: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Imelda Staunton, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Adam Godley

Extras: Feature Commentary with Director Kirk Jones and Children, Feature Commentary with Producer Lindsay Doran and Emma Thompson, How Nanny McPhee came to be,...

“Infinity Pool” actress Mia Goth has joined the cast of Mahershala Ali’s “Blade,” according to an insider with knowledge of the project.

Yann Demange, a French-Algerian filmmaker whose previous credits include Jack O’Connell’s “71” and Matthew McConaughey’s “White Boy Rick,” is attached to direct the vampire-killing actioner.

Michael Starrbury, who has penned episodes of Netflix and Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us” and “Colin in Black and White,” wrote the latest draft of the screenplay.

Assuming all goes well from here, production will begin in Atlanta in early 2023. While the film will reportedly be darker than a stereotypical Marvel romp, the extent this film will straddle the line between the safely PG-13 MCU entries and New Line Cinema’s original hard-r trilogy with Wesley Snipes remains to be seen.

Also Read:

Marvel Studios Temporarily Shuts Down Production on ‘Blade’

When Stephen Norrington’s “Blade” debuted in...

Hollywood writer and director Kirk Jones is to helm Vertigo Films’ buzzy upcoming drama series You’ve Been Trumped, marking his first foray into television drama.

The Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee and What to Expect When You’re Expecting director will write and direct the four part series, which is based on Anthony Baxter’s award-winning 2011 documentary of the same name about the small Scottish community who stood up to Donald Trump and his golf course development.

Jones has completed the scripts, which will likely employ the black humour and deep-rooted emotional sensibility of Baxter’s doc.

Set on one of Europe’s most environmentally sensitive stretches of coast on Scotland’s Northeast coastline, the drama charts the unbelievable true story of what happens when everyday people take on one of the world’s most famous, divisive, and powerful families. Deadline first revealed news of the project in November 2020.

Before becoming President,...

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Universal Pictures Reviewed by: Harvey Karten for Shockya, d-based on Rotten Tomatoes Grade: C- Director: Kirk Jones Written by: Nia Vardalos Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin Screened at: AMC Empire, NYC, 3/21/16 Opens: March 25, 2016 This movie is so sit-comish like that I wondered why the background music is Greek rather than the usual elevator scores that we hear on equally banal comedies like “Two Broke Girls.” A major segment, particularly in the first hour, is so embarrassing that I felt like crawling under my seat, with “humor” so ethnic that I felt like watching thirty hours [ Read More ]

The post My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

Chicago – The second biggest release of the 2016 Easter Weekend is “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.” The sequel to the 2002 mega-hit, the film rolls out the same weekend as a certain “Bats v Supes,” but is a bit quieter – and more Greek – than its weekend neighbors. In anticipation of the new “Wedding,” HollywoodChicago.com reruns a couple interviews from featured stars Nia Vardalos and Lainie Kazan.

Nia Vardalos, Actress & Screenwriter, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”

The Nia Vardalos story began with the first “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002). She was doing a one woman show version of the story, when Rita Wilson – wife of Tom Hanks, and a Greek actress herself – came backstage and told Vardalos that it would make a great film. With that, Vardalos gave Wilson the already completed screenplay, and the rest is film history. Since then, Nia Vardalos has written and starred in several films,...

I’m not sure anyone was waiting for, let alone demanding, a sequel to the surprise sleeper of 2002, but it’s here just the same, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 may well please its intended audience. But like many sequels, the spark of the original film can’t be reignited so easily. Writer and star Nia Vardalos is as likable as ever. The same can be said for most of the supporting cast, but under Kirk Jones’ direction everyone mugs shamelessly, as if playing to an audience in the second balcony instead of inhabiting a giant movie screen. Subtlety has no place here. Vardalos’ eager-to-please character is still anchored to her boisterous Greek family…but now she’s married to...

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This is the Pure Movies review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, directed by Kirk Jones and starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Elena Kampouris, Alex Wolff and Louis Mandylor. It’s hard to believe a whopping fourteen years have passed since we last saw the overwhelmingly loud and funny Greek-American family on our screens. The characters of 2002 have since got older, but the humour they deliver hasn’t weakened. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 focuses on Toula (Nia Vardalos) mothering a rebellious teenage daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris) and nursing her marriage with Ian (John Corbett), which has since been lacking its original spark. The not-so-dominant father figure is still endearingly irritating – insistent on the greatness of Greece, as well as the greatness of Windex. What faces the family now is a new dilemma surrounding Toula’s parents and their marriage (or lack...

Okay film fans, are you all set for the big sequel storming the multiplex this weekend. No, not that one, the one with the caped combatants. Instead of spandex think….Windex. This is the follow-up that most movie-goers of a…ahem…certain age have been clamoring for since the original shocked and stunned Hollywood fourteen (gasp!) years ago. That’s because this lil’ flick with no big marquee stars, which cost a paltry five million, went on to gross just under a quarter of a billion bucks. So what took em’ so long, you may ask. Well, there was a TV show in 2003 that CBS canned after just seven episodes. Tis’ a distant memory, one that will be erased when the whole gang is back for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. So pass the ouzo! Opa!

Once again, good ole’ Gus Portokalos (Michael Constantine) is driving off to open...

It’s taken fourteen years for a follow up to the beloved My Big Fat Greek Wedding to hit theaters and the wait is finally over. The sequel to the low budget smash features all the original film’s outlandish yet easy to adore characters and retains the heart that so many connected to the first time around.

Directed by Kirk Jones, the comedy reunites us with Toula (Nia Vardalos), Ian (John Corbett) and the entire Portokalos family, who must come together for an even bigger wedding. The stars give us insight into their return with ten things to know about the highly awaited film.

Read More ...

When the first movie makes $245 million in the U.S. alone, it’s only natural to expect a sequel. But it’s been 14 long years between 2002’s certified smash My Big Fat Greek Wedding and its follow-up. What has changed in the meantime? Apparently not much as My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 from writer-star Nia Vardalos offers more of the same and has reunited virtually the same cast, subbing the original director Joel Zwick for Kirk Jones. As I say in my video review (click the…...

Like an uninvited relative who barges in unannounced, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is back for a second helping of helicopter parenting, familial bonding and Mana-Yiayia’s legendary Spanakopita. You all asked for this decade-plus reboot to happen, right? I must have missed the “Bring Back Toula” petitions, because without a ravenous fanbase, a fourteen-year-old romantic sequel seems like a risky play – even by today’s Hollywood standards. And, as feared, Kirk Jones’ Hallmark-y, meant-for-Netflix continuation struggles to justify its existence beyond a criminally underused John Stamos cameo.

It’s not the worst date-night experience, it’s just disappointingly far from the best. Insufferably tolerable, if you will. Yes, those are two words that nullify each other’s existence, defining the blandest, most forgettable cinematic purgatory imaginable.

Sounds about right.

Nia Vardalos returns as writer and star, Toula, along with her non-Greek, but now more accepted husband, Ian (John Corbett). Their daughter,...

It.s very easy to dismiss popcorn friendly movies. But just because these easy-watching films and their shiny wholesome production values and content avoid controversial topics doesn.t mean that they have any less value or worth that their darker, more serious rivals. At least according to Kirk Jones, the director of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, who thinks the world needs more movies like this. When I recently had the opportunity to attend the press conference for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Kirk Jones looked to explain why there is a place for such feel-good romantic comedies in the cinematic landscape. Everyone at this table is a huge fan of making movies that make you feel good, make you laugh, make you cry every now and again. The dark stuff is out there. And we all enjoy watching that every now and again. But there is absolutely...

There is genuine if exasperated warmth here, but it is far less satisfyingly bound up into a cohesive story in this halfhearted retread of the original film. I’m “biast” (pro): liked the first film

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

I recently rewatched the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which I enjoyed back in the day but had not seen since it was new in 2002. And it holds up well: it’s not perfect, and it’s a bit too heavy on the ethnic humor and sitcom schtick, but at its core there is a sweet story about a young woman coming out of her shell and finding herself in a way that her loving but overbearing family hadn’t allowed her to do before. That’s not the sort of story we often see in mainstream Hollywood films,...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 40 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the comedy sequel “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” starring Nia Vardalos and John Corbett!

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” which opens on March 25, 2016 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Michael Constantine, Joey Fatone, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Gia Carides and Elena Kampouris from director Kirk Jones and writer Nia Vardalos.

To win your free passes to “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!

Preferably, use your computer to enter rather than your smartphone.

Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time.

Written by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine) directs the next chapter of the film that will be once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.

The film opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.

Wamg invites you to enter for a chance to win a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 on Monday, March 21 at 7Pm in the St. Louis area.

We will contact the winners by email.

Answer the following:

2002’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding...

It seems as though every cult comedy of yesteryear is making a comeback in some form, whether it’s a TV offshoot or full feature-length movie in the vein of Zoolander 2. One of those forgotten gems is Joel Zwick’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

First released in 2002, the comedy flick introduced us to the Portokalos family in all of their weird and wacky glory, and now Universal is getting the gang back together for a bona fide reunion. If last month’s debutant trailer showcased a bigger, fatter and even more outrageous ceremony, then today’s poster for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 teases the return of a cultural phenomenon.

Kirk Jones of Nanny McPhee fame is behind the lens for this one, which will largely orbit around the character of Toula (Nia Vardalos) coming to terms with her prized daughter making a life for herself in Paris.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Movie Trailer. Kirk Jones‘ My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) movie trailer stars Nia Vardolos, John Stamos and Mark Margolis. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2‘s plot synopsis: “After spending most of their time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, Toula and Ian are facing marital problems while also having to deal with […]...

"And my family is still too close." Universal has debuted the first trailer for the long-awaited sequel of all sequels, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, directed by Kirk Jones. If you recall, the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a huge hit with the adults, and played in theaters for months wracking up a massive $241 million at the box office during its run in 2002. Maybe they're hoping this will do just as well? The cast includes John Corbett and Nia Vardalos, once again, with Rita Wilson, John Stamos, Alex Wolff, Mark Margolis, Lainie Kazan & Joey Fatone. If you've been waiting 13 years for this, well, have at it. Here's the first official trailer for Kirk Jones' My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, found on YouTube: After spending most of their time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, Toula and Ian (John Corbett, Nia Vardalos) are facing marital problems...

Will Ferrell’s Anchorman 2, Monsters: University and – whisper it – Dumb and Dumber To, are just some examples of comedy sequels that arrived long after the release of their respective original. It’s a feat that’s proven to be a difficult butterfly to pin, with each of the aforementioned trio arriving to varying degrees of financial and critical success. Even still, that has in no way quelled the enthusiasm for the practice, and Ben Stiller’s Zoolander 2 won’t be the only follow-up arriving in 2016 after a long time spent flirting with development.

After a full 13 years, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is ready to dance its way onto the silver screen, and today brings forth our very first look at the long-in-development sequel. Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee) is behind the lens for this one, aiming to create an experience that is appropriately “bigger and fatter” than the cult original.

Last May, it was announced that My Big Fat Greek Wedding stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett will reprise their roles as Toula an Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. We haven't heard anything about the sequel since then, but today, Universal Pictures has released the first trailer and photos, while announcing the sequel will hit theaters on March 25, 2016. That release date puts My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 up against the highly-anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, although it's unlikely there is much crossover between both of these wildly different groups of fans.

Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Written by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring...

Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time.

Written by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine) directs the next chapter of the film that will be once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Paul Brooks and Steve Shareshian return to executive produce alongside Vardalos and Scott Niemeyer.

Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy domestically and in select international territories.

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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 opens on March 25, 2016

The post Watch The First Trailer For My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2...

Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2."

Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2," the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Written by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding. 

Kirk Jones ("Nanny McPhee," "Waking Ned Devine") directs the next chapter of the film that will be once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Paul Brooks and Steven Shareshian return to executive produce alongside Vardalos and Scott Niemeyer. Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy domestically and in select international territories.

Have a look the trailer below.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" hits theaters...

Finding Nemo isn’t the only early 2000’s film getting a long-awaited sequel in 2016. In a just a few months, Universal will release My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Nia Vardalos‘ follow-up to her insanely successful first feature, with virtually all the cast returning, as well as some new faces. The first trailer has now landed for the film directed by Kirk Jones (What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Waking Ned Devine).

As the official synopsis reads, “the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.” Featuring the cast of John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Elena Kampouris, Alex Wolff, Louis Mandylor, Bess Meisler, Bruce Gray, Fiona Reid, Ian Gomez, Jayne Eastwood, Mark Margolis, Andrea Martin, and Michael Constantine, check it out below.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 opens on March 25th, 2016.

13 years on from his Greek baptism in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and John Corbett has once again lost his shirt.

He has been pictured topless filming the sequel to the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 by writer and co-star Nia Vardalos who posted the photo on Instagram.

Is someone trying to get baptized again in #MyBigFatGreekWedding2 ?

A photo posted by Nia Vardalos (@niavardalos) on Jun 25, 2015 at 9:55pm Pdt

In the caption with the photo Vardalos referenced the scene in the first film, saying: "Is someone trying to get baptized again in #MyBigFatGreekWedding2 ?"

The pair play Toula and Ian who faced battles to marry across their different families and cultures in the first film, Toula a Greek-American from a lower-middle class extended family and non-Greek Ian with upper-middle class parents.

Kirk Jones is directing the sequel, with Vardalos again writing the screenplay.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2...

The likelihood of Fantastic Four 2 of keeping its release date seems slim at this point. Then again, the likelihood of World War Z 2 (or whatever Paramount ends up calling it) sticking with its newly found release date seems also slim. The Fantastic Four sequel has already moved all around the calendar, dodging Star Wars: Episode VIII from July 14, 2017 to June 2, to June 9, 2017, where it now resides and has just gained company in the World War Z sequel, which will again star Brad Pitt and be directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible) with a screenplay by Steven Knight (Locke). Of course, the first World War Z also had release date issues, moving all over the board, though that largely stemmed from production issues. Considering we're talking about a release date over two years away I guess it hardly matters one way or another. However, in other release date news,...

Universal just announced that it will bring long-awaited comedy sequel My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 to theaters on March 25, 2016. Currently, the pic has the weekend all to itself, outside of some little indie title called Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. That shouldn’t be a problem for the follow-up to 2002’s smash hit though, which will find Nia Vardalos returning as both star and screenwriter.

Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee) is directing My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which will bring the rowdy Portokalos family back together for what’s being described as a “bigger, fatter” wedding where “a family secret will be revealed.” The original 2002 film was a surprising success for Universal, grossing $369 million worldwide against a chump-change $5 million budget. In addition to Vardalos, the sequel will find John Corbett reprising the role of Vardalos’ protagonist’s love-interest-turned-husband.

Ellen Kampouris, one of the few bright spots in Jason Reitman’s awful Men,...

Consider this your official save-the-date card: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" is slated for release on March 25, 2016.

If that date sounds familiar to you, that's because another high-profile sequel is also bowing that weekend: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." We're assuming that studio Universal is going for a counter-programming strategy by choosing that weekend.

Then again, this flick is all about surprise, since the announcement of its existence in the first place also raised eyebrows. The film is a follow-up to 2002 hit comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which made star Nia Vardalos a household name (for a little while, anyway) and earned an Oscar nomination in the process, thanks to a big push from producers Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

Hanks and Wilson are back to produce this time around, as are stars Vardalos and John Corbett. The plot is set to revolve around the revelation of...

Paramount and Skydance have scheduled a June 9th 2017 release date for a sequel to the zombie apocalypse thriller "World War Z" which managed to earn a stunning $540 million worldwide. Brad Pitt will return to star in and produce the project

Director Juan Antonio Bayona ("The Impossible") will take over from Marc Forster as director, while screenwriter Steven Knight ("Eastern Promises") will pen the script for this entry.

This isn't the only sequel getting a release date today though as Universal has also slotted in a March 25th 2016 release date for a follow-up to the 2002 indie romantic comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Kirk Jones directs the new film which Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce.

Source: Heat Vision...