#FIRSTLOOK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM FAN EXPO CANADA TORONTO 2025

FAN EXPO CANADA is back and better than ever this weekend at Metro Toronto Convention Centre! The four-day celebration of Fandom has come to be synonymous with the end of summer in the City, running August 21 to August 24, 2025. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend this year, with guests utilizing the opportunity to connect with like-minded lovers of Sci-Fi, Gaming, Horror, Cosplay, Animation, Comics and so much more. Fan Expo gives fans a chance to meet their beloved idols also, across multiple disciplines.

This year’s edition boasts several highlights across the Centre’s north and south buildings. This year marks Back to the Future‘s 40th anniversary and its stars have come to town to participate in panels, signings and photo ops, including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The Cast of Netflix‘s WEDNESDAY also made a huge splash bringing the Series’ THE DOOM TOUR here to the City in promotion of its second season, part 2 arriving September 3, 2025 on the streaming service. In attendance were Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, and Isaac Ordonez, filling-up their hot ticket panel completely.

Other big names to grace the convention this year include acclaimed Actor Ewan McGregor who spoke at a ticketed panel, Hailee Steinfeld (Hawkeye, Sinners), William Shatner (Star Trek), Mary Steenburgen (Back to the Future Part III, Stepbrothers, Elf), Tom Welling (Smallville), Mike Tyson (Boxing Legend, The Hangover), Dafne Keen (Deadpool & Wolverine), John Boyega (Star Wars), Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon, The Black Phone 1 & 2), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Legends of Tomorrow), Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, Teen Wolf),Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Catherine Tate (Doctor Who), Heather Locklear (Spin City, Melrose Place), Sting (Wrestling Superstar), Peggy The Dog (Deadpool & Wolverine), Dante Basco (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Hudson Thames (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, What If…?), Richard Horvitz (Helluva Boss), Jack De Sena (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Alex Brightman (Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss), and many more!

Another highlight were some branded activations in the South Building, including:

Paramount+’s Adventure to the Peak – guests were encouraged to complete a series of challenges, including sitting-in on a thrilling, immersive gondola ride, guided by their mascot, GOAT, reminding us of all the great titles available on the streaming service. Photo ops also were available with GOAT.

The Conjuring: Last Rites – Reflections of Evil – perhaps the most horrifying activation at the convention, fans walked through a scary mirror maze, and got a commemorative keepsake to celebrate the release of the eagerly-awaited new Horror film, out September 5, 2025.

Disney+ Throwback Experience – with a locker and closet backdrop, stars of Disney past were honoured at this activation, including Zendaya, Hillary Duff, Miley Cyrus, and so many more. Their earlier work can be streamed on service. A component also highlighted titles ALIEN: EARTH and PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, with actors fully in-character to welcome guests.

TRON Lightcycle – a photo op on the famous vehicle for the upcoming October 10, 2025 release

Netflix Canada‘s WEDNESDAY Experience – inspired by the dark themes of this beloved Series, a moody photo op which saw its trio of Cast members drop in.

Cineplex Pictures – Now You See Me: Now You Don’t photo op gave guests a chance to celebrate the upcoming installment of the popular franchise, in theatres November 14, 2025.

Team Mr. Will had the chance to sit-in on some panels as well, and some key moments:

WEDNESDAY

Isaac Ordonez, Joy Sunday, and Georgie Farmer brought the energy up on Fan Expo Saturday, speaking to fans at a Panel, before popping-by Netflix Canada‘s Wednesday activation for photos. Ordonez continues to see his role as Pugsley expand on the Series and is thrilled to see the second season of the Series do as well as the first, taking the world by storm! Joy told fans that her Bianca is seeing the world close in on her and her character is in need of help in season two, part 2. Farmer explained that his Ajax is exploring his new-found confidence in part 2 and is eager to step-it-up.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

In celebration of the original film’s 40th anniversary, Mary Steenburgen and Bob Gale spoke at a Panel on Fan Expo Saturday. Steenburgen recalled Back to the Future Part III being very challenging and physical, working with horses and dust as part of its Western theme. Having loved the first film in the Franchise so much, she agreed right away to the third installment.

Gale comments how technology has advanced so much, and recalls even having to cut a car in half to film inside it, whereas today a GoPro would solve the problem simply!

SMALLVILLE

The Cast including Tom Welling, Kristen Kreuk, Laura Vandervoor, Erica Durance, and Michael Rosenbaum, reunited on-stage for a Panel. Welling told the audience he recalled a favourite fan interaction in Denver where a fan brought his wife and kids along to meet him. The fan handed Welling a picture of him on-set from years prior after a Make-a-Wish had granted him the opportunity, telling the Actor how much that meant to him in getting strong enough to battle his illness.

Rosenbaum never ceases to be surprised the response SMALLVILLE still gets to this day, where soldiers even will tell him how the Series inspired them to get through a war.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR

The Screen legend, known for her work on Melrose Place, Dynasty, and Spin City, admitted her favourite gig of all time was on Melrose Place, and says she prefers working in Television versus Film. She felt the latter was a lot of waiting around, whereas the former gave her the gratification of more naps on-set, and also the ability to see the finished work sooner. She indicated she has a new Podcast coming out this Fall.

HAILEE STEINFELD

The Academy Award-nominated Actress appears poised for another with her performance in Ryan Coogler‘s SINNERS, a critical and Box Office smash. She spoke about her process crafting that character and also Kate Bishop in the MCU, and the importance of not giving us fragments of a character, but a complete whole, relatable character.

Highlights:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

@mrwillwong Hailee Steinfeld highlighted FAN EXPO CANADA TORONTO 2025 Sunday, reflecting on her character in SINNERS, amd her process crafting Kate Bishop in the.MCU. Video credit: A Gilmore #haileesteinfeld #fanexpocanada #fanexpotoronto #katebishop #sinnersmovie ♬ Starving – Hailee Steinfeld & Grey

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/D. Baldwin/R. Heaslip/D. Neves)

#FIRSTLOOK: ADVENTURE TO THE PEAK PARAMOUNT+ BOOTH AT FAN EXPO

Adventure to the Peak is back at FAN EXPO Canada — a thrilling 4D journey (yes, you might get a little wet!) through a mountain of excitement – with surprise encounters from the worlds of Yellowstone, SpongeBob, Dexter, and more.

And don’t miss your chance to meet the Paramount+ GOAT mascot — available for photos throughout the weekend.

Adventure to the Peak is located at Booth 1442

Thursday, August 21 from 2-9PM

Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23 from 9:30AM to 7PM

Sunday, August 24 from 9:30AM to 5PM.

It’s the perfect pit stop for media looking for a quick thrill, a splash of fun, and some great visuals to use as a backdrop for news hits.

About Paramount +

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlusCA on social media.

#FIRSTLOOK: PARAMOUNT’S THE LODGE RETURNS TO FAN EXPO 2024

For a second consecutive year, Paramount’s THE LODGE returns to Fan Expo Canada where every room is another universe, offering the ultimate fan experience. Enter THE LODGE and cozy up by the Paramount fireplace rustic ambiance and get ready to experience a mountain of entertainment! Pick up your Lodge pass at THE LODGE welcome desk and become immersed in themed activations featuring iconic franchises.

For the first time, the STAR TREK Menagerie makes its debut at THE LODGE at Fan Expo displaying creatures across renowned STAR TREK properties. Come one and all to get an up-close look at exciting specimens from STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES, and more! Attendees can become part of the Menagerie as they enter the display for an immersive STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, photo opportunity.

Other fan-favourite Paramount worlds to explore at THE LODGE:

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Enter the streets of New York City, pose for a photo with the four turtle brothers and fight crime by checking out the new Mutants Unleashed exclusive gaming preview before the official launch on October 18! Guests will be immersed in the turtles’ den beneath the streets where these heroes trained in ninjitsu to fight evil. 

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS 25th ANNIVERSARY: Head to front porch queue of THE LODGE to step into SpongeBob’s Pluto TV world! Join SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, and Plankton in a mini golf experience for a chance to win branded swag! A new prize every day!

The Paramount experience doesn’t end there! Don’t forget to check out the HALO Artifact at booth #1651, just around the corner from THE LODGE. Direct from the set of the series, ”the artifact” was left behind by the ancient race known as the forerunners which, reveals a star map that leads to the sacred ring known as the “Halo.”

THE LODGE, located at booth #PM01, is open and available for you to experience or to use as a backdrop for news hits on Thursday, August 22, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#FIRSTLOOK: PARAMOUNT+ CANADA AND THE SHINE NETWORK INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE NEW COURSE AND RESOURCE

Today, Paramount+ in Canada and The Shine Network Institute (TSNI) announce the Indigenous Producers Budgeting Intensive, an online course and new resource to support the professional development and mentorship of Indigenous women in film, television and media. This first virtual course will be geared toward budgeting for film. It will be accessible on TSNI’s @Learnatshine platform and will launch on National Indigenous Peoples Day – Friday, June 21, 2024. 

Geared toward emerging and mid-level Indigenous female producers, this first intensive course of 10 x one hour modules offer students hands-on learning accompanied by Indigenous framed tutorials designed to empower students as they prepare to produce their first feature film. The course will also include candid conversations with Indigenous female producers to inspire and motivate students by giving them access to industry veterans who can dispel myths and misconceptions about producing. 

“Working with The Shine Network Institute on this course is truly the first step in our partnership,” said Doug Smith, SVP Streaming & Content Licensing Paramount Global, Canada. “After listening and consulting with Jennifer Podemski and her team over the past few months we are proud to collaborate on this online course which will provide tangible skills to those interested in line producing, one of the most important jobs on any set. It is also a project we can build on in the months and years to come to support even more of TSNI’s membership and the next generation of Indigenous producers.”

“I am thrilled to be partnering with Paramount + Canada for this course,” said Jennifer Podemski, President & CEO, The Shine Network Institute. “Partnerships like this allow TSNI to offer the highest level of training and mentorship while building capacity for Indigenous people within the screen sector. Although our mission at TSNI is to foster the careers of Indigenous women who are the least represented across the sector and experience the most disproportionate outcomes, this course, which will be offered on our @Learnatshine platform, is open to all Indigenous professionals working within Canada’s film, television and digital media space.” 

This initiative is the third partnership Paramount+ in Canada has announced that reinforces its long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Earlier this fall, the company announced a collaboration with the Black Screen Office for the Black Creators Festival Initiative; a joint venture with BIPOC TV & Film, and the National Screen Institute Partner for the new ELEVATE program; and now TSNI’s Budget Online Intensive.

These programs are intricately connected to the mission of Paramount Global’s Content for Change initiative, which seeks to counteract narratives that enable bias, stereotypes and hate using the power of our content, the creative supply chain that powers it, and the culture that underpins everything we do.

#FIRSTLOOK: LUCKY TORONTO LYFT CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE DUTTON RANCH RAM PICKUPS

For one day only on Friday, November 18, 2022, Prime Video Channels, in collaboration with Lyft, RAM and Paramount+, are offering premium Lyft rides across Toronto to celebrate the new season of Yellowstone, now available to stream on Paramount+, part of Prime Video channels. Three Dutton Ranch RAM pickup trucks will be released across Toronto surprising Lyft users who use the rideshare service on Friday, November 18^th, picking up lucky passengers at random all morning long.  Fans and rideshare customers alike will get to experience riding in an exact replica of the Dutton Ranch RAM pickup truck that transports them to Montana’s western landscape and receive a free 7-day trial of Paramount+.

Prime Video Channels is a Prime benefit that lets members subscribe to their favourite TV and movie channels through Prime Video – including Paramount+, STARZ, hayu, and STACKTV. Yellowstone S5 (along with all previous seasons)are now available to stream Paramount+. Via Prime Video Channels.