Scott Pilgrim film takes on Toronto!

[barrytron3030]

The Scott Pilgrim comics series was created by Brian Lee O'Malley, a man from small-town Ontario who fell in love with the city. The comics take place in Toronto.

here is the comics' wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Pilgrim

[update!] and here is the film's wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Pilgrim_vs._the_World

a film adaptation of the series, entitled "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" is being produced by Universal and it will have Toronto playing Toronto! It stars Michael Cera as the title character and is directed by Edgar Wright, a Brit. In case you're wondering, he directed "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz"!

[update!] the official website for the film: http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com/ and youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/ScottPilgrimTheMovie

here's a nice graphic showing the cast with their respectivr animated alter-egos:

here's the film's imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446029/ and a story from NOW Magazine featuring interviews with O'Malley and Wright: http://www.nowtoronto.com/movies/story.cfm?content=167537

What excites me is seeing distinct Toronto neighbourhoods appearing on the screen. The Annex (Casa Loma, Pizza Pizza, Honest Ed's, Sonic Boom, Lee's Palace), St. Clair (Alberta Ave., Goodwill, Wychwood Barns), Queen (The [now gone] Rock-it, Second Cup), and many more, will play huge roles in the film! Another great thing about the comic is that it features characters that are openly gay and characters of different ethnicities, something hollywood seriously shies away from. As a fan of the comic and michael cera, and as an absolute lover of this city, i am very psyched.

 

[CDL.TO]

Very cool. I heard about these graphic novels years ago and forgot all about them. Will look out for them next time I'm at the bookstore.

The movie seems to be a serious production (not some small, local thing) that would expected to see wide release.

 

[UserNameToronto]

I'm not into comics at all and hadn't heard of SP before the film was announced. Can't wait.

Prediction: Queen East will stand in for Queen West.

 

[bleeepbluuup]

What excites we is seeing distinct Toronto neighbourhoods appearing on the screen. The Annex, Chinatown and Queen West will likely play huge roles in the film!

Yeah, I love it! He's very specific about the locations too... Dufferin Mall, the reference library, Sneaky Dee's. It really will be great to see Toronto playing itself for once!

You can preview some of the comics on the Scott Pilgrim website

 

[barrytron3030]

here's a link to Edgar Wright's website: http://edgarwrighthere.com/

he has a DAILY photoblog full of pictures of the production. he seems to be a big toronto fan, i mean, you have to be if you've come from another country and studied the town so much. just last month the bloor had a month long showcase of his work, entitled, "The Wright Stuff". very impressive.

interestingly, bill pope is the cinematographer for this film! some of his work
includes: army of darkness, freaks and geeks, the matrix and spider-man 2. i wonder how he'll approach capturing toronto.

 

[afransen]

Seems like Toronto is breaking out. Two primetime dramas set in Toronto are going to be airing on US television, and more and more movies, books, etc. are playing up Toronto as a setting.

 

[CDL.TO]

Seems like Toronto is breaking out. Two primetime dramas set in Toronto are going to be airing on US television, and more and more movies, books, etc. are playing up Toronto as a setting.

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't really watch TV. I know one show is Flashpoint, but what is the other?

 

[afransen]

The Bridge, by CTV will be airing on CBS. Another cop show--not the best genre, but an improvement from The Simpsons' Toronto appearance.

It's been discussed here, earlier. Didn't look for the thread.

 

[Tewder]

Being Erica was picked up too with a great review in the NY Times. It features Toronto very nicely, lots of streetcars and urban 'nabe' settings.

 

[barrytron3030]

another nice interview from o'malley: http://chud.com/articles/articles/1...BRYAN-LEE-O039MALLEY-SCOTT-PILGRIM/Page1.html

 

[GraphicMatt]

The Scott Pilgrim books are fantastic and a great representation of Toronto. I'd absolutely recommend picking them up.

It's even got some nice depictions of our transit system in it:

Streetcars are apparently incredibly vulnerable to Attack By Samurai Sword, however:

 

[jks]

THere's also The Listener

 

[barrytron3030]

i've been checking out edgar wright's daily photoblog and it's terrific.

in his time in toronto, he's already visited jet fuel in cabbagetown, bay street video, casa loma, the spadina streetcar, and it seems his hotel/condo is one of the new buildings around spadina and adelaide, i'm thinking its the soho(?)

the whole cast seems to be in toronto now, including jason schwartzman!

 

[Hank]

I saw Michael Cera in my condo elevator a few weeks ago (my condo's in the Queen and Spadina area)...this explains why. He looks like a ten-year-old in person.

 

[Silence&Motion]

Don't forget Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is broadcast internationally and has won two American Teen Choice Awards.


It's been a while since I read the books, but if I remember correctly, I think Scott Pilgrim is supposed to live in Wychwood. I wonder if they'll be that specific in the film.