The sun shone brightly on stars aligned in Toronto, as the red carpet outside Scotiabank theatre on a glimmering summer evening welcomed actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams.

The two features in Southpaw, a dramatic tale of fame and failure, of rise and redemption set around boxer Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal). Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the gritty, intense story features McAdams as Hope’s wife, as well as Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson as his promoter, and later Forest Whitaker as a retired boxer and trainer.

Gyllenhaal and McAdams both stopped to chat with Scene Creek about the filmmaking process and the ways in which Gyllenhaal immersed himself in yet another intense role, changing mentally as well as physically. The red carpet was graced by a special surprise guest as well, with Canadian heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, ready to lend a supportive hand and critical eye.

Photography by: Melissa Dacruz