IDEALABX

CFL - It Just Hits

Agency: Memory

RBC Canada - Crochet

LINK - https://www.adsoftheworld.com/campaigns/crochet-filled-fantasy-world

Scene + x Shell - Make Every Route Scenic

Canadian Work

Lyft - Save The Money

Nike - Welcome to Canada

Hamnet

Key Cast Members Jessie Buckley as Agnes

Casting director, Nina Gold, knew that Agnes had to be portrayed by Jessie Buckley from the moment she started to consider who should be cast

From my research, they did not even look into other actors, and the cast was built around Jessie

Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare

When casting Paul, they wanted to remove the fact that they were casting for someone to portray the William Shakespeare that we all know today. Instead, they wanted someone who they envisioned to have been alike to Shakespeare in his youth.

For chemistry "reads" between Mescal and Buckley, it started with them having a night at Joyface in NY, dancing until 1 am. Followed by a 2-week workshop where they did a tantric workshop and dream work.

Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet

Emerging talent, Jacobi, had auditioned for a role with Nina being the casting director in the past, but did not get the role as he was too young. When casting for Hamnet, Jacobi came to mind as he has portrayed death in his past roles.

Jacobi's casting, led to the casting of his movie-twin, Olivia Lynes, due to their undeniable chemistry in their reads and his IRL brother, Noah, who portrayed Hamlet.

Casting Director Nina Gold

Past casting jobs include Game of Thrones and The Crown

Received a nomination for the Academy Award in Achievement in Casting

How the Actors were Casted + BTS Casting Stories

Buckley led the casting direction

Her chemistry with Mescal, led him to get the role

Jacobi had done readings for Nina in the past. His casting led to his movie-twin, Olivia Lynes to be cast due to their undeniable chemistry. Then, Jacobi's IRL brother (Noah) was later cast (after 2 months into filming) to portray Hamlet.

Director's Perspective on Casting - Hamnet was originally supposed to be directed by Sam Mendes. When he pulled out in 2022, Chloe Zhao was contacted. She initially said no, until Paul Mescal called her and said that he wanted to meet her. (she did not know who he was...) At this point, that was all by chance, Paul had yet to be cast - Zhao then decided to read the book, also thought of Jessie Buckley right away as who should play Agnes - Zhao worked with Nina through the entire casting process. Both collectively coming to the decision of which actor should play each character.

Disclosure Day

Casting by Cindy Tolan - worked w Spielberg on West Side Story and The Fabelmans. A notable outcome of her work on West Side Story was discovering and casting Rachel Zegler in her breakout role as Maria.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1100639/

Emily Blunt plays Margaret Fairchild, a Kansas City meteorologist seemingly overcome by an imminent alien invasion

Josh O'Connor plays Dr. Daniel Kellner, a reformed former hacker who now works as a cyber-security expert for WARDEX — a shadowy agency protecting secrets about UAPs and non-human entities. He decides to become a whistleblower and uncovers truths he never expected

Colin Firth plays Noah Scanlon, the head of the mysterious Wardex corporation, which appears to be deeply tied to the film's extraterrestrial conspiracy.

Colman Domingo plays Hugo Wakefield, a former Wardex insider who becomes a key figure in the effort to expose the truth behind a decades-long extraterrestrial cover-up, working alongside O'Connor's character.

Eve Hewson plays Jane Blankenship, the girlfriend of O'Connor's character, who gets pulled into the mystery and its far-reaching consequences

Wyatt Russell plays Jackson, Blunt's character's boyfriend, who is drawn into the unfolding conspiracy as things get strange around him

The project was first reported in April 2024, and within weeks Universal was attached as distributor. Blunt was in talks by June and confirmed in August. Then, from August through December 2024, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, and Josh O'Connor were all cast — the ensemble assembled over roughly a six-month window.

Josh O'Connor was offered his role without having to audition. Henry Lloyd-Hughes similarly joined the cast and was offered his part without an audition, a strong signal of how much creative clout those two names carry right now, particularly O'Connor coming off Challengers and Wake Up Dead Man.

Spielberg reportedly admitted that because the film is set entirely in the present, assembling the right cast was a genuine challenge, period pieces ask actors to inhabit another era, and sci-fi imagines a future world, but Disclosure Day demanded performers who could capture modern life with complete authenticity. He also praised the collaborative energy his cast brought to set, saying those contributions shaped the ensemble.

Subsequent casting calls in March 2025 sought background talent in the Hudson Valley and Middlesex County, New Jersey. The Middlesex County call exclusively requested participants who could drive their own vehicles in the film, suggesting a specific road scene.

Masters of the Universe

Perhaps the biggest flop of the year has already been decided! Masters of the Universe was meant to kickstart an extended universe for Amazon MGM, and instead has seemingly lost them 150 million dollars, and not at all increased public awareness of the He-Man Brand.

While most of its failings lie with marketing, aesthetic choices, and poor timing, the question remains. Is there something casting can tell us about why this a lister filled, Hollywood ensemble failed?

Casting: Denise Chamian

Denise Chamian has been a casting director, since 1986, and in that time has become a certified hit maker. She’s worked on films like Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, Pursuit of Happiness and more recently, hits like Top Gun Maverick, the Percy Jackson show, and Elvis, for which she was nominated for a Bafta.

Nicholas Galitzine - He-Man

Previous star of Red, White and Royal Blue, the Idea of You, and Mary and George. His first proper foray into the world of action hero, and headlining a massive studio project.

The star won over director Travis Knight in auditions, and got the role by bringing a grounded vulnerability and charm to the character. He also had to pretty drastically transform his body, calling it the hardest thing he’s ever done.

Camila Mendes - Teela

The Riverdale star is also making her action blockbuster debut! She’s had a successful career already in Gen Z targeted romance films, but this has been a part of her larger plan to reinvent herself!

Alison Brie - Evil-Lyn

Alison Brie rose to fame in the 2000s through shows like Community and Mad Men. In recent years she’s been working in indie projects, while keeping active in the TV world through projects like GLOW and Bojack Horseman.

Idris Elba - Man-At-Arms

A staple of the action genre, Elba is a regular face of movies of this type. Has been in the MCU, more recently in The Suicide Squad, the Sonic movies, and Hobbes and Shaw. Became famous for his roles in grounded dramas like the Wire and Luther.

Jared Leto - Skeletor

It’s his fault. More realisitcally, following the catastrophic failure of Tron Ares and Morbius, there was a discussion online of Leto’s place as a movie star. He is definitely an A-lister, but also has not been a part of a large scale relevant film since Suicide Squad, when he gave one of the most widely mocked performances of the past decade.

Leto has also been under rightful public scrutiny after airmail published a report of nine women accusing him of sexual misconduct. This was published after he had already been offered the role of Skeletor, but it’s believed that these accusations are why he has been nonexistent on the movie’s press run.

What can this tell us about broader trends?

As much as I think it is morally correct to blame every film’s failure on Jared Leto, there are broader trends visible with Masters of the Universe’s failure.

The style of movie it’s aiming to be, are less popular in 2026 than they were in the 2010s. Nostalgia based films, with big casts built off established brands, are less popular. And striking at a time when original indie films are doing great commercially only strengthens the case against it.

It’s also been speculated there’s a disconnect between the casting decisions and the audience of the film. The headliners in the cast are trying to appeal to Gen Z, who generally, do not care about he-man. The main audience of the film wound up being mid 40s men.

Backrooms

The Director

Kane Parsons started uploading found-footage horror shorts to YouTube in January 2022 under the handle Kane Pixels, when he was still a teenager. The series accumulated over 190 million views, and by February 2023, A24 had officially announced a feature adaptation with Parsons himself directing ($10 million). At 19 at the time of the greenlight, he became the youngest director in A24 history. By the time the film opened on May 29, 2026, he was 20, and Backrooms had become A24's biggest-ever opening weekend.

Casting By

Wittney Horton - U.S. casting. She has built a reputation in Los Angeles for finding emotionally resonant talent across studio films.

Recent credits include the Until Dawn video game adaptation for Sony's Screen Gems and Stranger Things

Ella Rubin (Until Dawn), Ji-young Yoo (Until Dawn), First major network and feature leads: Sophie Thatcher (The Boogeyman), and Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer).... A thread of casting cross-format stars as leads.

Kris Woznesensky and Kara Eide - local casting in Vancouver. Shot in Jul - Aug 2025. The tri-casting-director structure is increasingly common for studio films shooting in Canada: you need someone managing the international talent pipeline from L.A. while local CDs navigate the Vancouver scene and local hires.

The Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark

He plays Clark, a small-town furniture store owner who fronts corny pirate-themed TV ads — deliberately low-key and schlubby.

Cast first - His deal was reportedly "all but closed" as early as May 2025.

Unconventional casting: Ejiofor is best known for weighty, dignified roles (12 Years a Slave, Children of Men), not comedic everymen.

The mismatch works — his grounded naturalism gives the film's early scenes a kitchen-sink quality that makes the Backrooms dimension land harder when it arrives.

Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline

Cristin Milioti (The Penguin, Palm Springs) was initially in early talks for the female lead — her deal put at 50/50 odds, ultimately fell through over a participation deal as the screenplay changed hands. -

Renate Reinsve then comes in. The Worst Person in the World and the Oscar-nominated Sentimental Value

The swap feels significant... Milioti would've brought a much more quirky approach to the role (if we take her past credits); Reinsve brings a cooler, more clinical remove to the role.

With more industry and indie acclaim I think she and Ejiofor's presence in the film legitimizes it.

A reflection of A24's increasingly global casting instincts???

Extended Cast...

Mark Duplass (The Duplass Brothers co-wrote and starred in the Creep series)

Finn Bennett (True Detective: Night Country and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)

Lukita Maxwell (Shrinking)

YouTube-native horror filmmakers

The instinct would be that coming from this less "traditional" pipeline that you'd not be working the hollywood system in the same way, but I think it speaks to how we are seeing how making content and honing your skills on the internet is now understood as a legitimate means into the system!

Production Design..SCALLE

Production designer Danny Vermette built approximately 30,000 square feet of actual Backrooms set in Vancouver — physical walls, hallways, and fluorescent-drenched yellow corridors that Parsons had mapped obsessively in Blender before construction began.

Supernatural horror, shot in 20 days around Burbank. $650K in, $148M out. 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Two casting tracks running in the same film: a formal process for the leads, and a sketch-comedy-partner straight to set for a key support.

The Film in Brief

Director: Curry Barker, 26, Alabama — came up making YouTube horror shorts/sketch comedy

Origin: Made Milk & Serial for $800, posted it free on YouTube, hit 2 million views. Producer James Harris found him through it; Barker pitched Obsession instead of the feature Harris offered

Shoot: 20 days, October 2024, San Fernando Valley. Real locations — a music shop in San Fernando (since closed), a pizza place on Magnolia, a bar next to a Bob's Big Boy

Budget: $650K. Post-shoot, Jason Blum came on as executive producer under Blumhouse after the TIFF premiere

Acquisition: Sold to Focus Features at TIFF for $14–15 million — reportedly the highest price ever paid for a genre film at TIFF

Box office: $148M worldwide. Second-weekend increase was the biggest for a wide release since E.T. (1982). 75% of the audience was 18–34

The Casting Director: Skyler Zurn

Barker explicitly did not care about profile or credits

Per Zurn: "Curry provided a freedom to discover that was really refreshing. So we really could search for the feeling. We were waiting to be moved by each person, and that's what led our casting decisions."

No attachment, no package, no name to satisfy a distributor. Just chemistry reads until something landed

Navarrette was cast first. Johnston came in after, specifically to read against her

Inde Navarrette as Nikki

Born 2001, Tucson AZ. Military family — attended 11 schools before age 15

Prior credits: three seasons of Superman & Lois, a slot in 13 Reasons Why. Large Twitch gaming following. None of it had translated to film profile before Obsession

Barker's criterion: she had to read as both crazy and genuinely scary at the same time. He said she "nailed" it

The role demands a full arc from grounded to murderous with no safety net — physically and emotionally demanding across the whole film

Won Best Performance at the Seattle International Film Festival 2026. Generating Oscar conversation

She was cast before Johnston was attached

Michael Johnston as Bear

Born 1996, North Carolina. Working steadily since his teens

Known for Corey Bryant in Teen Wolf; lead voice in The Artful Escape (2021, BAFTA Games Award winner); openly gay; singer-songwriter on the side

Solid credits, not a household name — Zurn pulled him from old audition tape on other projects

Brought in after Navarrette was set, specifically for the chemistry read. Barker saw them together and cast him on the spot

Signed with Gersh after the film's release

On set contribution: Johnston suggested Bear would try to induce vomiting after taking the oxycodone ("he's a coward by the end of the day, he doesn't want to die"). Shot in one take, made the final cut

Cooper Tomlinson — The Sketch Partner Track

Barker and Tomlinson met at film school in LA and co-created that's a bad idea, a YouTube sketch channel they described as "our film school outside of film school"

Built an audience with short-form comedy and horror content — compared favourably to I Think You Should Leave

Made Milk & Serial together (the $800 short that got Barker noticed)

Barker also appeared as an actor on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia — while prepping to watch a live episode, he caught the Simpsons monkey's paw scene that became the Obsession concept

Tomlinson plays Ian, Bear's best friend. No audition — Barker already knew what he could do across years of footage

The channel is still active; they dropped a new YouTube short, Fly Me to the Earth, after Obsession's TIFF premiere

Now co-writing Barker's next film, Anything But Ghosts (shot in Canada). Tomlinson also attached as producer on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reimagining

Two models in the same film:

Leads (Navarrette, Johnston): formal process via Skyler Zurn, chemistry reads, feeling-first brief

Key support (Tomlinson): years of sketch collaboration, no audition, trust already established

Other Supporting Choices

Megan Lawless as Sarah — no major prior credits

Andy Richter (comedian, Conan O'Brien's longtime sidekick) as the music store boss. Low-key warmth that makes his character's fate land harder — a tonal choice that fits Barker's "make me feel something" brief

Haley Fitzgerald as Viola, the mystic shop employee who sells Bear the One Wish Willow

Barker himself as the voice of the One Wish Willow customer service line (the number on the box is real — Focus Features paid for it)

What This Means

The Navarrette model: strong TV/streaming credits + platform following + zero film profile = overlooked. Worth looking more actively at performers who haven't had the right vehicle yet

Chemistry reads as the decision point: cast the lead actress first, then bring the male lead in specifically to test against her.

The window closes fast: Navarrette and Johnston are now significantly more expensive and harder to get. That window existed for about eight months between shoot and release

Borrow Zurn's framing: "Waiting to be moved" as a casting brief cuts through faster than a demographic breakdown

Toronto Amazing x

Lauren Power - Wine expert & contributing writer for Foodism

Taste the True North: Sip Canadian with wine expert Lauren Power's picks: https://foodism.ca/eat-drink/booze/canadian-wine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenpower_wine/?hl=en

Wine pairings: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6meD_LR-8n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Randy’s Jamaican Patty

1569 Eglinton Ave W, York, ON M6E 2G9

The History

The Jamaican patty is a derivative of the Cornish pasty – a baked pastry filled with meat or vegetables. The Cornish pasty was brought to the Caribbean by British colonists and was enhanced by by the African and Indian people of the Caribbean. The Jamaican patty is typically filled with beef, but can also be filled with vegetables or other meats, and varies in spiciness. The spiciness is traditionally due to the scotch bonnet pepper – a popular ingredient used by many Jamaicans when they are cooking.

As Jamaican and other Caribbean peoples migrated to Canada, they brought the patty with them. During this migration of the 1960s and 1970s, the patty was introduced to the world and can be found in practically every Caribbean or West Indian restaurant, along with various grocery stores. The patty is now a staple food worldwide and is usually eaten during lunchtime.

Randy’s History

Opened in 1979, Randy’s Take-Out was a popular Toronto hotspot for delicious Jamaican food, and people have been known to travel long distances to get a hold of their patties. Founded by three families, Randy’s Take-Out stays close to its home roots by making authentic Jamaican cuisine, using only the best ingredients. Family owned and operated, Randy’s Take-Out was a major part of the Little Jamaica community for over 40 years.

When they opened in the late 70s, a few Jamaican bakeries also served patties but Randy’s Take-Out was unique for its patty flavor based on an authentic recipe sourced from Jamaica. The smell of the warm beef patty often wafted along Little Jamaica’s streets inviting people to grab a patty or two and the lines would often wrap around the corner. On Saturday February 26, 2022, Randy’s served its last patties out of their storefront on Eglinton to loyal patrons from far and wide who wanted one last patty.

The Patty Wars?!?

In 1985, the Canadian government tried to stop Jamaican restaurants from using the name “beef patties”. Jamaican patties did not match the technical definition of “beef patty” under the Meat Inspection Act, which referred to the meat product used for hamburgers.

Businesses faced thousands of dollars in fines. Michael Davidson owner of Patty Palace in Kensington Market, Patty King, and others banded together. The situation caught the attention of Jamaican and Canadian press and politicians. Lawsuits were threatened, and a Patty Summit was convened. The government eventually agreed that “beef patty” could continue to be used, as long as it was not the sole description for the product.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Watch Parties Across the GTA

Tickets to games at Toronto Stadium are sky-high, but there are plenty of ways to watch with fellow fans. Here's where to go:

FIFA Fan Festival — 250 Fort York Blvd

Fort York National Historic Site & The Bentway, June 11 – July 19

All 104 matches screened across three zones; 46 with free general admission (via Ticketmaster — most gone, but check for returns)

Premium packages available with private decks, lounges & expedited entry

The night before (June 10), Fort York hosted a FIFA Countdown Concert featuring Bryan Adams and The Beaches

Live acts throughout: Shawn Desman, Walk Off the Earth, Murda Beatz + local food vendors and artwork

Canada Soccer House — 235 Queens Quay West

GE Appliances Canada Soccer House at Harbourfront Centre, June 11 – July 2

Canada's official fan destination — free entry, but arrive early; doors open ~2 hours before first match of each day

Opened June 11 with Mexico vs. South Africa; June 12 grand opening coincided with Canada's first game of the tournament

Big screens, live entertainment, food & drink, and interactive fan experiences

Pride House Toronto — 51 Dockside Dr (George Brown Waterfront Campus)

June 11 – July 19, every match screened, all ages, free entry (first-come first-served)

The first-ever official Pride House in Toronto during a FIFA World Cup

Daytime programming in collaboration with local community groups; food & drinks available

Bonus: Best Venues to Watch Each Country

Canada → Café Diplomatico (College St.) — the consensus best soccer bar in the city.

France → Ricarda's (Entertainment District) — the Fédération Tricolore has official watch parties June 16, 22 & 26. Brazil → Bola Bar (Bloor W.) or Galo Toronto.

Argentina → Vos Toronto (College St.) — 5 for $30 Quilmes deal.

Portugal → Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill — massive hidden patio with screens.

The Fringe Festival is BACK!

This year, from June 30th to July 12th, the distillery district becomes Toronto's home for independent theatre! The Fringe is a worldwide indie theatre operation, with Toronto's branch running since 1989, largely thanks to their network of volunteers.

The Fringe selects new artists through a lottery system, as well as inviting back previous hitmakers, meaning that each year there are new faces and old favourites filling up theatres.

Since 2025, the fringe has been ran largely out of Soulpepper theatre, and works to transform the surrounding distillery district for artists and theatregoers. Outdoor space nearby is converted to a patio for visitors and performers, and restaurants run fringe events.

Outside of Distillery, shows are ran in venues across the city, including Alumnae Theatre, Native Earth Aki Studios, Factory Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, as well as unconventional venues like a social hall, a condo's common room, and a Geary warehouse!

Shows to watch out for!

Ooga Chaka - Pucker's

Ooga Chaka presents the 100% historically questionable retelling of the world’s first theatre makers. These daring cavemen will invent the art of theatre and see their success catch like fire (which is also new).

Astros - Metamorphosis Theatre Company

Tensions rise in the locker room, as the Ascension Astros prepare for their most important game, the night after a bar fight with their rival team.

CAMP! - Mixtape

Ben Kopp and Margot Greve are Toronto Fringe Festival staples, with previous hits Killing Time and Iris says good bye sweeping the festival in previous years. This new musical tells the story of two childhood friends turned enemies who fight it out via campground games.

Springtime - Odradek Theatre Collective

Two enemies of the state are buried, hiding out until the heat dies down. They pass the time by telling stories, reflecting on their past, and trying to figure out what's next.

The Cards We're Dealt - Unreal Productions

Each show, a new lineup of stand up comics and storytellers do a set based off a random tarot reading. A new lineup and new set of stories every night!

Galen's Grocer

Galen Easton is public enemy number one, and this musical follows his attempt to make a lighthearted sitcom to turn his image around!

Night Journey

Canadian Work

Ultimate Butter Churning Vessel out of Rethink for Lactantia

Those in Quebec can look out for a Butter Run hosted by the 6 AM Club on Saturday, June 13th, to see the vest in action and get to sample the fresh butter post-run.

Post/VFX by Under Approval Studio - based in Montreal

"WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT: Precision 3D modelling Look development (product, packaging, R&D) Digital simulation (clothing, fluids, smoke, scientific) Character development and animation Brand films Motion systems We specialize in luxury, food, sports, technology, ART and beauty"

World Cup

Canada x NOCTA

In partnership with the Canada men's national team, NOCTA reimagines the national team's merchandise, using familiar silhouettes inspired by the country's heritage, national symbols and football culture.

NOCTA is a premium streetwear and sportswear brand created by Drake in partnership with Nike.

Launched in 2020

Name comes from "nocturnal"

Blends athletic wear with luxury streetwear

Known for tracksuits, outerwear, and sneakers

Features clean, minimalist designs and premium materials

More expensive than standard Nike apparel

England x Palace Skateboards/Nike

Part of Nike's "X2" series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — pairing national federations with cultural collaborators. Other X2 partners include NOCTA, Patta, Jacquemus, and the Virgil Abloh Archive.

The Collection

Pre-match jersey with a stained-glass St. George graphic, greyscale colourway, Palace-Nike branding right chest, Three Lions badge left

Silver anthem jacket with infrared accents

Leather varsity jacket with oversized Three Lions detailing

Tonal grey drill tops, Swoosh tracksuit

Football Beyond Borders' emblem features on the pre-match shirts worn by the England squad during the tournament

Footwear — Nike Cryoshot Air Speed

Based on the 1998 Nike Air Speed Mercurial (the first Swoosh boot to break through in the English top flight)

Original boot studs encased in crystal-clear rubber, making it wearable as a sneaker

Campaign

Features Wayne Rooney, Jill Scott, and Marcus Rashford

Rooney appears in Elizabethan costume reciting Shakespeare; Scott styled as a Stonehenge figure

Release

June 12 — Palace retail stores and palaceskateboards.com (exclusive)