Review: Fan Expo is the home of celebrities & disorganization (Includes first-hand account)

First, a few facts. In its 24th year, Fan Expo is the third largest fan convention in North America. The yearly attendance average is 140,000. Celebrities such as William Shatner, Norman Reedus and Stan Lee have returned to the event multiple times. Kevin Smith hosted a live podcast a few years ago and the con has presented cast reunions for the original Degrassi, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Student Bodies and most recently, Back to the Future. On paper, this is one of the greatest fan conventions on the continent… unfortunately, that’s not always the impression on the ground.

This year’s chief celebration was dedicated to Back to the Future with special guests Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson coming together for a specially ticketed panel on Friday night. Three members of the cast of The Princess Bride — Cary Elwes, Chris Sarandon and Wallace Shawn — were also present, alongside a number of actors from Degrassi: The Next Generation and WWE superstars, including Triple H. Other TV shows were also represented, including Rose McIver of iZombie, Mark Sheppard formerly of Supernatural, Karen Gillan of Doctor Who fame and several actors from Star Trek: Discovery. Jason Momoa and Evangeline Lilly also made appearances, mostly in support of their recent and upcoming blockbusters.

Whether you want to hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes via juicy panel discussions, get your prized memorabilia signed by your favourite artist or spend a few seconds shoulder-to-shoulder during a photo-op, Fan Expo rarely disappoints in the special guest department… though some of these rare opportunities have a hefty price tag to match.

Every con has its good and bad features, but most tend to the negative elements to improve future events – Fan Expo has had the same pro and con list for years and it doesn’t look like they’re changing.

Similar Posts

  • Motion capture process becomes less mysterious at NY Comic Con (Includes first-hand account)

    In 1968, when Stanley Kubrick wanted to include apes in his sci-fi saga, 2001: A Space Odyssey, he used costumed humans so convincing co-writer Arthur C. Clarke believed the Academy refused to award the picture best make-up and costuming because they thought they were real animals. That same year, Planet of the Apes would also use a combination of uncomfortable make-up and costumes to bring their simians to life (consequently earning them the above-mentioned award). When the series was rebooted with a new trilogy of films, they employed motion capture technology to still use actors to portray the apes while altering their appearance with CGI.

  • Review: ‘Doctor Who’ VR game takes players out of this world (Includes first-hand account)

    We live in an age in which technology that blurs the line between fantasy and reality is being frequently developed and improved. With virtual reality, users can enter another space without physically being there, while augmented reality allows the user to alter their real-life perspective. These applications have practical and professional uses, but most people are primarily interested in the enhanced entertainment experiences they’ve provided. From being in the driver’s seat during a Formula One race to having a lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, people’s imaginations are the limit. The latest immersive videogame to be announced takes fans into a 55-year legacy: Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.

  • ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’: the height of Caesar’s journey (Includes first-hand account)

    One of the great things about big conventions is studios reward people’s fandom with free swag and sneak peeks of their latest projects. Every day there is a panel with directors and cast of a certain TV show or movie in which they answer questions, drop hints about what’s to come and, most coveted, share exclusive clips that may never be seen again outside of that room. At New York Comic Con, lucky fans were provided a first look of next year’s War for the Planet of the Apes.

  • Review: ‘Potted Potter’ is a hilarious companion to the famous series (Includes first-hand account)

    If you haven’t read the latest popular series of books or watched their inevitable screen adaptations, you’ve probably missed a few punch lines and been left out of a few conversations. These characters and their adventures become ingrained in pop culture and thus a part of our daily lives… and now they’re taking over the stage. Live renditions or extensions of these beloved stories have been regularly appearing on stage for several years. However, the change in venue and restrictions of theatre have generated some very interesting takes on movies that rely heavily on special effects. Potted Potter is the Cliff’s Notes version of the series and it’s a must-see for fans.

  • Get to know your fave heroes at Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Includes first-hand account)

    Last year, more than a decade of thrilling adventures, epic victories and heart-wrenching defeats came to a head with the release of Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. Fans frequently point to the moment when the reunited — and in some cases resurrected — superhero team assembles for the final battle as one of the most moving and triumphant scenes in the MCU’s history as it finally brought all our beloved heroes — big and small — onto a single battlefield. After this moment, we bid farewell to some characters and awaited meeting others again as they embarked on new journeys. But in this world, it’s never really goodbye. Obviously, watching everything on a screen keeps fans at arm’s length from these personalities and their painstakingly detailed armoury. Thus, Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.: The Experience is travelling the world to bring admirers closer to the action.