Set to take place again this year between August 25-28, 2022 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, FAN EXPO CANADA returns once again! Even more celebrity guests have been added to the schedule, including, a just-confirmed Charlie Hunnam!

List of those confirmed so far:

• JEFF ANDERSON (Clerks, Zack and Miri Make a Porno)
• SEAN ASTIN (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Goonies)
• JACOB BERTRAND (Cobra Kai, Kirby Buckets)
• BILLY BOYD (The Lord of the Rings trilogy)
• LEVAR BURTON (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Perception)
• GINA CARANO (The Mandalorian, Deadpool)
• ANTHONY DANIELS (Star Wars universe)
• ASHLEY ECKSTEIN (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
• ROBERT ENGLUND (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
• GIANCARLO ESPOSITO (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad, The Boys)
• TREVOR FEHRMAN (Clerks II)
• DAVID FOLEY (The Kids in the Hall)
• TYLER HOECHLIN (Superman & Lois, Teen Wolf)
• CHARLIE HUNNAM (Sons of Anarchy, The Gentlemen)
• RYAN HURST (Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, The Mysterious Benedict Society)
• MARTIN KOVE (Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid)
• PEYTON LIST (Cobra Kai, Bunk’d)
• CAITY LOTZ (Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow)
• JES MACALLAN (Legends of Tomorrow, Mistresses)
• JASON MEWES (Clerks)
• DOMINIC MONAGHAN (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Lost)
• BRIAN O’HALLORAN (Clerks)
• LANA PARRILLA (Once Upon a Time, Why Women Kill)
• EMILIO RIVERA (Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C., On My Block)
• MICHAEL ROOKER (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Walking Dead)
• THEO ROSSI (Sons of Anarchy, Army of the Dead)
• KATEE SACKHOFF (The Mandalorian, Another Life, Battlestar Galactica)
• WILLIAM SHATNER (Star Trek)
• KEVIN SMITH (Clerks)
• BRENT SPINER (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels)
• BITSIE TULLOCH (Superman & Lois, Grimm)
• CARL WEATHERS (The Mandalorian, Rocky, Predator)
• MING-NA WEN (The Book of Boba Fett, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
• ELIJAH WOOD (The Lord of the Rings trilogy)
• WILLIAM ZABKA (Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid)

For a complete list of guests, info and tickets, visit: fanexpocanada.com

By Mr. Will Wong & George Kozera

Celebrating Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming, TORONTO COMICON returned once again this weekend March 18-21, 2022, after a short absence amidst the Pandemic. The event at Metro Toronto Convention Centre brought out fans with a chance to meet their favourite stars and Artists, and also a chance to connect with likeminded fans. Did you know collectively, all Fan Expo HQ events bring-in a combined 500,000 attendees annually?

More than ever this year, activations focused on family with a section devoted to kids’ activities, including a meet and greet with Disney Princesses, and a Super Mario photo op on the floor, which was a big hit!

A huge draw always is Celebrities and while the event saw some last minute cancellations from the likes of John Cusack and Jenna Coleman, some marquee names like Lou Ferrigno, Aaron Ashmore, Laure Vandervoort, Adam Baldwin, Brian Herring and the stars of the original Degrassi outfit, came out to speak at panels and meet their fanbase.

Our George Kozera had a chance to sit-in a few popular Panels at Toronto Comicon and he shares some highlights.

“YOU MADE ME QUEER”

YMMQ Podcast Host, Trevor Campbell, interviewed award winning Comic Book Artist and Writer Dan Parent on how the first gay character (Kevin Keller) in the ARCHIE Comics empire came to exist. Influenced by two diverse worlds…the characters in the teenaged comic world of Riverdale as well as Director John Waters’ “Pink Flamingoes”…Parent’s first pitch to introduce a gay character fell on deaf ears “as it would not go over well in Middle America”. With new management in charge of publishing the Archie comics, a years later subsequent approach was positively received, mostly due to “the success of that TV show, Will & Grace”. Rather than out Jughead, perceived as asexual, the new character was a media sensation and that issue sold out completely. The only other time an issue was sold out when the character of Kevin was predominant was a storyline set when Kevin and was 23 years old married to a man. It created a furor when the militant left wing Million Moms Movement deemed it immoral, causing Parent to say: “Want loads of publicity and make lots of money? Piss off a million moms!”.

Q&A WITH STAR OF “KILLJOYS” AND “LOCKE & KEY” AARON ASHMORE

While identical twin brother Shawn can be currently seen on TV’s “The Rookie”, Aaron Ashmore (best known for playing Jimmy Olson on “Smallville”) regaled the audience with entertaining stories from his many projects, from being stuck in a small confined space after “Warehouse 13” Co-star Eddie McClintock broke wind, to not really getting along with Saul Rubinek or his backstage stories on working in “Killjoys” and “Locke and Key”. When we asked if there was anything Shawn had done that he was jealous of and vice-versa, he said how incredibly proud he was of his brother after watching in “X Men” and “as for Shawn, you’d have to ask him” he replied with a great smile. My favourite of Aaron’s recollection was the time he was at the Montreal Comiccon: “I saw these millions of people in line near my booth and was surprised all these people were here to see me. Then I heard a voice behind me say “Hello, young man” and it was for Patrick Stewart! And I was oh man, and said “I’m not Shawn because I knew you worked together” and he said “I know”. He’s (meaning Stewart) such a nice man and very laid back.”.

“DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH” REUNION Q&A

The camaraderie between the three stars on stage was palpably positive and loving. Pat Mastroianni explained that the original audition took three weeks of daily workshops with all the hopeful cast members. “We started with 80 people and then next week it was down to 50. It was like the first reality show”. When we asked if they all had issues finding work after the show ended, only Mastroianni confirmed that he really wasn’t typecast as “Joey Jeremiah” and was able to pursue a career in the business. Because Degrassi was on air before Social Media, “we knew we were hits from the media reports in the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun but we never really knew the impact we were making”. It was also fun to hear that Mastroianni’s mother was supportive and encouraging of his, now famous, walking naked in the school!

Fan Expo and Comicon are always a chance to buy some cool merchandise from local fandom-minded vendors!

It’s always a thrill seeing some of the amazing Cosplay and this year was no exception. See some Snaps (always remember to ask for permission!):

Don’t forget, FAN EXPO Canada is back August 25-28, 2022 and it is looking pretty epic. More details on some of what’s been announced so far. Get your tickets now here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/George Kozera)

Toronto Comicon is back on again this year at Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s South Building from March 18-20, 2022.

After a two-year absence, we are thrilled to see the event back and it’s a pretty star-studded line-up! In addition to stars, there will be celebrity presentations, photo ops, signings, sketch duels and so much more!

TORONTO COMICON 2022 HIGHLIGHTED GUESTS INCLUDE:

JENNA COLEMAN (Doctor Who, Victoria)

JOHN CUSACK (Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity)

TIM ROSE (Star Wars universe)

BRIAN HERRING (Star Wars universe)

AUSTIN ST. JOHN (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)

LOU FERRIGNO (The Incredible Hulk)

LAURA VANDERVOORT (Smallville, The Handmaid’s Tale)

For a complete list of guests, info and tickets, visit: comicontoronto.com.

While Fan Expo looked a little different this year, fans still were able to enjoy the three day event safely amidst our current climate. The three-day event took place this weekend at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, bringing together fans of Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming together under one roof with a chance for them to meet some of their idols. The event was modified to a Limited Edition version this year, working around safety guidelines and restrictions/caps. It normally draws hundreds of thousands of people every year when at full capacity.

While there were several guest cancellations this year due to uncertainty and changes in scheduling, fans still were able to feast on an exciting array of programming and stars including the likes of Kit Young, GeorgeTakei, Robert Patrick, Melanie Scrofano, Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell, James Marsters, Italia Ricci, Trailer Park Boys (including a fun #Swearnet backdrop seen above for fans to pose at), Christopher Eccleston… and of course the legend himself William Shatner, fresh off his successful mission to space, giving him the distinction of being the oldest person ever to visit it.

George Kozera from Team Mr. Will and I were able to check-out some of the thrills and sit-on (literally on the floor) on some of the exciting Q&As with the talent. George even got to ask Shatner a question!

Some highlights and quotes:

ITALIA RICCI

This former Supergirl star, hailing from Richmond Hill, Ontario is connected to a few superheroes, being married to Robbie Amell (The Flash) who is a cousin of Stephen Amell (Arrow) – the latter married to Cassandra Jean, also who has starred in Arrow. When asked about her family being like a mini Comic-Con, she says “Well, none of us got the keep the costumes. Maybe Stephen, I don’t know. But yeah, it’s been fun. Supergirl shoots in Vancouver, but when I shot season one, it was on the Warner Bros. lot. But I had a lot of fun and didn’t think they would kill me. I thought ‘I’m coming back for sure!'”. Ricci also filmed Designated Survivor here in Toronto and when asked about McDonald’s vs. Pizza, she says she takes her son almost daily to McDonald’s right now, although she admittedly still hasn’t found amazing Pizza in the City just yet. Her hunt continues.

JAMES MARSTERS

The most fascinating tidbit revealed during the Q&A session with Marsters (Spike on TV’s BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) was that the Producers of the Show were unhappy with the success of the Angel character and that the audience attention was drawn-away from Buffy. Originally hired for a five to ten episode storyline (it stretched to 97 episodes), Marsters said ” I would have fired myself to keep the integrity of Buffy intact.”.

WILLIAM SHATNER

At 90 years young, the iconic, natural-born raconteur William Shatner greeted the crowd with “Hello, fellow Canadians” where he quickly added, “I haven’t been able to say that in a long time” and entertained the rapt and adoring crowd with stories of his childhood growing up in Montreal, living in Toronto on Sherbourne Street as a struggling Actor trying to find work and living on his one inexpensive meal at the Sherbourne Hotel. When I asked him about his experience working in JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG he replied, in part, “Imagine being a youngActor, sitting on a bench and watching icons like Judy Garland and Spencer Tracy perform”. He promoted his new album “Bill“, then spoke at length of his recent space flight on Jeff Bezos‘s rocket and likened the darkness he saw to death itself. There was only a very brief mention of STAR TREK (while never mentioning the title), none of BOSTON LEGAL (for which he won his only Emmy,) but it didn’t matter; Shatner owned the room!

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON

Watching Christopher Eccleston at his Q&A was revelatory. He was self-effacing (“I am the worst Marvel villain ever” and “My dad said to me:you finally get a job in Hollywood and you play the invisible man?”), brutal honest (he spoke of his one season as DOCTOR WHO as contentious and hated the direction that the BBC wanted to Series to proceed. However, he also mentioned two episodes that contained some of his best work ever due to the exceptional Script and, in hindsight, would have liked to have done one more year to correct the acting mistakes he felt he made). Highly complimentary of other Actor’s work (“I don’t envy the next Actor who steps into the shoes of James Bond after what Daniel Craig has done in the past 15 years” but didn’t think he’ll ever get a chance to play the character “not with these ears!”) and comparing Toronto lovingly with his hometown of Manchester.

STEPHEN & ROBBIE AMELL

These Toronto born first cousins admitted they were not very close growing up (Stephen: “I was 13 years old. He was 6. He had little in common”), but eventually bonded when they discovered their mutual love of acting. Whereas Stephen was saddened when ARROW ended its TV run, he was excited about exploring new opportunities and then the pandemic hit and “nothing!!!” though he is thrilled with his new HBO show HEELS. Robbie was thrilled to report that the second season of CODE 8: PART ll is back in production and is currently being filmed in Toronto. The chemistry between the Amell boys was infectious and giddy to watch!

Some more Snaps from the event:

Some exciting Cosplay at Fan Expo Limited Edition 2021!

To learn more about FAN EXPO, visit here. This was fun, and thrilled to days ahead when it returns to its regular capacity!

(Photo/video credit: George Kozera/Mr. Will Wong)

We’re thrilled that FAN EXPO returns finally to Toronto once again! Of course, safety measures and regulations will be in effect to make this as safe and fun as possible for all of us! For one, Photo Ops this year will be done with plexiglass dividers.

FAN EXPO Limited Edition will take place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre October 22–24, 2021. Confirmed are an exciting slate of stars including:

Robbie Amell (Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City) and Stephen Amell (Arrow); Star Trek alums George Takei and William Shatner; Schitt’s Creek’s resident heartthrob, Tim Rozon; Wynnona Earp star Melanie Scrofano; the Ninth Doctor himself, Christopher Eccleston; Pokémon voice actress Veronica Taylor; ‘MythBuster’ extraordinaire Adam Savage; Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s ‘Spike’, James Marsters; and more!

And don’t forget the many Cosplayers, Comic Creators, Voice Actors and more!

Limited tickets are available now here.

We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait till October when Fan Expo Canada returns to Toronto finally! So far, confirmed for the three day genre extravaganza October 22-24, 2021 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, are Michael Rooker, Ray Fisher, Adam Savage, William Shatner, George Takei and more!

Above this, Fan Expo HQ have just announced a partnership with Hololive Production, Japan’s premier VTuber (virtual YouTuber) agency, to bring us the Hololive EN English North American Tour. The likes of Watson Amelia, Gawr Gura, Mori Calliope, Ninomae Ina’nis, and Takanashi Kiara will be appearing in a first of its kind virtual presentation.

The tour includes the following stops:

The tour includes:

MEGACON Orlando – August 12-15, 2021

Watson Amelia, Takanashi Kiara

FAN EXPO Boston – September 3-5, 2021

Watson Amelia, Ninomae Ina’nis, Takanashi Kiara

Calgary Expo – September 10-12, 2021

Watson Amelia, Mori Calliope, Takanashi Kiara

FAN EXPO Dallas – September 17-19, 2021

Watson Amelia, Gawr Gura, Mori Calliope

FAN EXPO Canada – October 22-24, 2021

Watson Amelia, Gawr Gura, Ninomae Ina’nis

An updated schedule of events are available here.

FAN EXPO Canada usually marks the end of Summer here in Toronto for many, however with COVID-19, the event has been forced to go a modified route. The August event now has been cancelled this year. In its place LIMITED EDITION event will run from November 6-8, 2020. Instead of its usual capacity, a reduction to a cap of 25,000 tickets will be sold to ensure adherence to proper safety and social distancing guidelines.

Admission tickets purchased already for August’s event have been transferred to the new November event and refunds are to be requested before July 31, 2020.

Special events are to be refunded as well.

Photo and Autograph Ops purchased via Epic Photo Ops can be refunded.

Reservations at official hotels of Fan Expo also will be cancelled.

For more info, visit here.

(Photo credit: Fan Expo Canada)

By Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera + Mr. Will Wong

Signalling the end of Summer, Fan Expo Canada returned to Metro Convention Centre once again this past weekend, converging the worlds of Sci-Fi, Anime, Horror, Gaming, Comics and Cosplay together into one giant celebration. Fan Expo Canada celebrated its 25th year anniversary and they did it bigger and better than ever with several notable guests in attendance including John Travolta, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Levi, Karl Urban, Peter Capaldi, Brendan Fraser and more!

Highly-touted Cast reunions highlighted the affair including that of Saved by the Bell, Smallville, Blade Runner, The Goonies and more. The likes of Pamela Anderson, David Harbour, Kristen Kreuk, Jason Momoa also were slated but had other commitments preventing them from making it.

Fans found themselves with many events, panels, photo ops, autograph signings, screenings, panels and even LGBTQ+-inclusive matchmaking events to attend all the way through Fan Expo Sunday wherein previous years, Saturday normally is the busiest day.

The event brought-in an estimated 129,000+ people from around the world.

Some Highlights from Fan Expo Canada 2019:

COSPLAY

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT EXHIBIT

In addition to rate pieces from Star Wars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and more, a huge draw at the Exhibit was a travelling, growing ball made from the hair of 600+ people around the world!

SAVED BY THE BELL Panel with Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar x Mario Lopez

Stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley talk about their time on the 90s morning TV staple. They reveal while Berkley was filming a certain “Las Vegas movie”, the Cast were watching the O.J. Simpson chase while filming their own Vegas movie. Berkley and Lopez admitted they were nice to Dustin Diamond, Gosselaar not so much! Berkley says she had the most fun filming the Series’s fantasy sequences.

So awesome hearing them do the Show’s signature Bayside cheer!

JEFF GOLDBLUM

The screen veteran known for his work in the Jurassic Park franchise, returns to the City he filmed The Fly! He reveals he spent seven hours in makeup a day, that his wife, Olympian Emilie Livingston is from here too! His new Disney+ series The World According to Jeff Goldblum, premieres November.

And he reveals his new Album on Decca will feature surprise vocalists! He even had the room singing “O Canada“! 🇨🇦

TEEN TITANS GO Panel with Tara Strong x Greg Cipes

The two Voice Actors joked around and Cipes brought his dog Wingman with him to the Panel and the dog stole the show, drinking out of Strong‘s water cup.

When asked what their advice is for their young fans, Strong said to “Choose kindness.”. Cipes said “Never give up on everything you ever wanted.”.

Strong advises also it is important for voice actors to have an acting background and admits she is very “physical” behind the mic.

Cipes cites Robin Williams as his biggest influence.

BLADE RUNNER – Sean Young x Edward James Olmos

Young made some candid revelations from her experience in Hollywood,  telling the audience “Never make a Director feel bad for hitting on you”.

On recent reboot Blade Runner 2041, she admits “At 2 hours and 51 minutes, I thought it was much weaker than the original.”.

On working with Sir Ridley Scott, she says “He made me smoke cigarettes to lower my voice. He was very manipulative towards the ladies.”.

Olmos admits, “At the time he (Harrison Ford) was first announced, I thought he was miscast. All I thought was Han Solo.”.

ZACHARY LEVI

Levi, unlike others, didn’t require a Moderator and Morgan Hoffman obliged kindly. He stood-up his entire Panel even, fielding fan questions directly.

One fan got to do a magic trick, one got to sing a song from Disney‘s Tangled with him even!

He imparted a bit of inspiration, telling fans, “We all are worthy of occupying space in this world.”.

On Toronto-made Box Office and critical hit Shazam!, he admits the most fun thing for him was getting to act like a 14-year-old. He says also, “The weather was cold but the costume did not keep me warm.”.

JOHN TRAVOLTA

The screen icon talked about his new film THE FANATIC and how much he loves when fans talk to him. He  two also reveals  that two fans broke into his house with the intention of only meeting him. There was no ill will.

He admits he never thought Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction would ever become as popular as they had. He always believed Grease was going to be huge and said he was the one that only wanted Olivia Newton-John as Sandy.

THE GOONIES Panel – Sean Astin, Corey Feldman x Ke Huy Quan

Feldman tells fans about his affinity for our country, “I love Canadians so much, I married one!”. He is referring to wife, model Courtney Anne Mitchell.

On the famous water slide seen in the Film, he states “We only got to go down the water slide twice. It was the stunt doubles who did the rest!”.

BRENDAN FRASER

The star of Encino Man and The Mummy arrived straight from Johannesburg where he is filming currently. He asks the audience if they want another Mummy movie and they gave him a resounding cheer!

He advises Universal Pictures that the key ingredient is fun when making these movies. He currently can be seen in popular series DOOM PATROL.

Other notables:

Jack Quaid, star of Amazon Prime‘s THE BOYS

For more on FAN EXPO CANADA, visit here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/George Kozera/Amanda Gilmore)

By David Baldwin and Mr. Will Wong

Now in its 19th year Toronto Comicon takes place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend bringing together fans of Sci-Fi, Anime, Cosplayers, Gaming, Comics and more in one extravaganza.  Toronto Comicon year after year has given fans a chance to connect with their favourite idols with Panels, Autograph Signings and Photo Ops. Known as one of the most exciting events each spring in Toronto, the event this year was headlined by several stars including Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Jaleel White (Family Matters), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), Jonathan Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Corbin Bernsen (The Punisher) and several more!

Funko Pop! vinyl collectibles, rare editions of comic books and the opportunity to get one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces by Artists, continue to be a huge draw at the three-day affair. Truly Toronto Comicon is a mecca of all things adored.

Our David Baldwin had the opportunity to sit-in on a couple high-profile Panels for Ron Perlman and Dan Fogler.

PERLMAN

Golden Globe Award winner Ron Perlman has had a celebrated career in Film and Television, including unforgettable performances on Television Series Beauty and the Beast and originating the titular role in a soon-to-be rebooted Hellboy. He delighted fans on Saturday afternoon with a lively Q&A session. He set the tone for the nearly hour-long discussion by taking the stage and immediately greeting the audience with “Sup motherfuckers?” He later apologized to everyone who brought their children with them, but did not change his casual demeanour. He says that “99% of the roles I’ve played, I’ve really loved” and likens that passion for his roles to his mantra of “Don’t say yes unless you really love the person you’re playing.”.

While he enjoyed talking about his popular roles (“Sons of Anarchy was larger than life”) and his close relationship with honourary Torontonian and Oscar-winning Director, Guillermo del Toro (going so far as to praise Pan’s Labyrinth as a “masterpiece” and calling it the “quintessential del Toro movie”), Perlman did not hesitate to get very candid with the audience. Upon hearing an audience question about his time on the ill-fated 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau, he flat-out said “We should have never made that movie,” and said that acclaimed Director Jean-Jacques Annaud saved his life and career more than once when he was “going to quit acting”. He also let the audience in on a very telling secret: “I’m not a big fan of watching my own stuff. I just do it and move on to the next thing.”.

Perlman next year can be seen in Paul W.S. Anderson‘s eagerly-awaited Monster Hunter.

FOGLER

Despite landing a breakout role in 2016’s blockbuster Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first of a few slated Films in the Franchise, Dan Fogler long has been honing his craft. Fashionably-late for his own Panel today, he was exactly as animated and wild a personality as you might expect: “I like acting in front of people.” In his discussion, he detailed how much joy it brings him to get to play roles in the likes of Fanboys, the Fantastic Beasts series and The Walking Dead saying the roles “speak to the little nerd in me.” He even went so far as to say that his work on Fanboys specifically gave him the “invitation to act like a kid again.”.

Fogler went the extra mile during the Q&A portion, handing-out comic books and memorabilia to each audience member who asked a question (and in a rather wonderful touch, personally delivered memorabilia and hugged an audience member in a wheelchair). He riffed on his time working with Christopher Walken on Balls of Fury (telling the audience Walken’s method of dialogue delivery: “It’s all about slow, medium, fast”) and reminisced about his inspirations, saying that after discovering that Voice Actor Mel Blanc was playing and creating voices for multiple Looney Tunes characters, “I want to do that!”. Fogler even tried his hand at Sign Language, poorly attempting to sign-out “Say hello to my little friend” to his on-stage interpreter.

The Brooklyn native currently can be seen on AMC’s The Walking Dead as Luke.

Check-out some more sights of 2019 Toronto Comicon:

Ron Perlman

Dan Fogler

Jaleel White

Jonathan Rhys-Davies

Tommy Flanagan

Corbin Bernsen

John De Lancie

Cosplay

Cool, rare stuff

Also, CAPTIVE STATE is in theatres this weekend. Don’t forget to check-out this need little installation where you can star in your own Poster for the Film!

You still have one more day left to check-out 2019 Toronto Comicon as it wraps Sunday, March 17, 2019!

More here.

Missed it? Don’t worry, Fan Expo Canada is coming this Summer. More details here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/David Baldwin)

By David Baldwin, Siobhán Rich x Mr. Will Wong

Now in its 24th year, FAN EXPO CANADA has stamped itself as the premier celebration of fandom in Toronto year after year uniting connoisseurs of Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime and Gaming together for a four-day extravaganza. Once again taking over Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event was highlighted by a reunion of BACK TO THE FUTURE stars Canadian Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson. For the first time ever also, FAN EXPO CANADA hosted WWE® Night with stars of the sport: Triple H®, A.J. Styles™, The Miz® and Charlotte Flair®. Others appearing at the affair were favourites William Shatner, Steven Ogg, Evangline Lilly, Lucy Lawless, Robin Lord Taylor, Jason Momoa, Rob Schneider, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Karen Gillan, Cary Elwes, Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Billy Zane, Emma Dumont and many more!

Purveyor of Pop Culture vinyl collectibles, FUNKO caused quite a stir this year with a pop-up at the Festival giving some lucky fans timed session tickets and a chance to purchase some exclusive goods. Harry Potter and Doctor Who-themed Escape Rooms, the Dragonball North America Tour 2018,  a Degrassi Reunion, plus a Photo Op with the Jurassic Park Jeep were big draws also this weekend.

Funko Pop-Up

Dragonball North American Tour 2018

Our Team had the pleasure of attending FAN EXPO CANADA and sitting-in on some of the hottest ticket panels! More on that below:

AN EVENING WITH THE CAST OF “BACK TO THE FUTURE”

The weekend is just starting, but Fan Expo staged one of the biggest highlights of this year’s convention tonight — An Evening with the Cast of Back to the Future. On hand were Tom Wilson, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Canada’s own Michael J. Fox. The ticketed event had fans lining up for over two hours to attend the packed panel. While there was no audience Q&A portion of the 40-minute event, the audience was not left disappointed.

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE)
Disney fans at Fan Expo Toronto were treated to some behind the scenes and early clips of the upcoming Ralph Breaks the Internet. Hosted by Richard Crouse and the Film’s producer, Clark Spencer, the crowd was shown behind the scenes animated LOLCats and also told about new character Yesss, voiced by Taraji P. Henson. We were then walked through clips that introduced the basic plot including the important role Gal Gadot will be playing as race car driver, Shank.

Perhaps the most anticipated and well received scene was an extended look of the all the Disney Princesses meeting our favourite glitch, Vanelope (Sarah Silverman).

The Movie centers around the friendship between Vanelope and Ralph (John C. Reilly). As the Movie opens, Vanelope‘s future is in jeopardy after her video game is damaged and the owner of Litwak’s Arcade isn’t sure he can afford to fix it. The best friends decide to take maters into their own hands and head into the Internet in search of eBay.

The much anticipated sequel looks fantastic. Ralph Breaks the Internet hits theatre on Friday, November 21, 2018 via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada.

EVANGELINE LILLY & RODRIGO BASTOS DIDIER ON “THE SQUICKERWONKERS“
Evangeline Lilly (Ant-Man and the Wasp, Lost) took the stage at Fan Expo Canada today to discuss her Book Series, The Squickerwonkers. She started writing the planned eight-part Series as a way to create new content to read to her son, as she felt reading the same books over and over again “sucks”. The self-proclaimed “intense perfectionist” has written two of the Books so far, telling the audience that she “did a panic edit before bringing the new book to the cons.” She was also proud to note about the series that “If we start with a female protagonist, that’s a great place to start today.”

We also learned about The Squickerwonkers‘ Illustrator, Rodrigo Bastos Didier. Lilly first noticed the artist after he posted artwork on her Facebook page, and the two got into contact after meeting at a Brazilian comic convention. Didier‘s connections helped Lilly get her first publishing deal, after she struggled with self-publishing. “He had such a soft and loving energy. I just wanted to work with him,” she says.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY PANEL

And if that was not exciting enough, Space Channel brought the crew of the USS Discovery to discuss the much anticipated Second Season of Star Trek: Discovery. On hand for the panel were Sonequa Martin-Green (Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Shazad Latif (Voq/Ash Tyler) and Anson Mount (Christopher Pike). The group spoke at length about their excitement with the thrilling first season and the fan reactions they have experienced since.

Martin-Green says that she was delighted and in awe of the fans of the show, saying they had “so much love and respect in welcoming us” into the Star Trek family. “There’s nothing to prepare you in life for someone who dresses up as you,” Wiseman says with a laugh. “I don’t know why she resonates with people. Tilly is me, and her enthusiasm is unrivaled,” she says. Jones tells the audience that he initially had difficulty deciding how to play his alien character Saru, noting that after 32 years of playing costumed creatures, “How do you make this one different? The makeup you wear helps you to inform the character.” But what Jones is really thrilled about is how the fans he has spoken to have told him how important that character is to them, saying Saru is “Inspiring people to get over their own fears” as his characters works through his.

LUCY LAWLESS x RENÉE O’CONNOR PANEL
Amid jokes of a new comedic show which would unite all the key members of the Cast of XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS (including Bruce Campbell and Ted Raimi) and trips down memory lane regarding late cast member Kevin Smith (Ares), the famously-friendly pair discussed craft services, the #MeToo movement, and the dangers of being Renée O’Connor‘s stunt double.

The two Actress were asked, whether a remake would turn the Xena/Gabrielle relationship from subtext into text?
Lucy: “Absolutely”.
Renée: “People say they loved the relationship – the friendship – that it was so deep.”.

Lucy also was asked about her first impression of Renée:
Lucy: “She was exactly like Gabrielle that first episode.”
Renée: “I was fascinated by her.”

The duo were asked about Gabrielle‘s evolution on the Series.
Lucy: “They saw what Renée could do and said, ‘Let’s write to that!'”.

See some Snaps from the weekend. Hover cursor or click left and right to navigate slideshow on each album:

Team Mr. Will and our Photo Ops: