If you spot a Jedi, or a Sailor Scout, or a Mario brother in downtown Vancouver in a couple of weeks, Fan Expo is why.
The annual sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event is coming back to the Vancouver Convention Centre from Feb. 18 to 20.
Popular among all the events are the celebrity guests. This year there is plenty for people of all ages; Peter Weller from the original Robocop will catch some people's eye, while the likes of Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Dante Basco (Rufio in Hook) will likely be popular with a slightly younger crowd. And for even younger there's Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter).
And for everyone, there's Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3PO in Star Wars films, TV shows, and video games for more than 46 years.
There are a few who will be popular with people of all ages, too. Sean Astin has had roles in several things with big fan bases, including the Goonies, the Lord of the Rings, and Stranger Things. And Michael Rooker has been in the MCU as Yondu in two Guardians of the Galaxy films, as well as Merle Dixon in the Walking Dead and Mallrats along with literally dozens of other roles.
And then there's Carl Weathers, who not only has starred in The Mandalorian, the original Predator film, and the Rocky franchise, but also has lots of connections to Vancouver. He's played football here (for the B.C. Lions) and was in Happy Gilmore, which was shot here.
There will also be stars of Arrow, the Flash, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, among other franchises.
Aside from the celebrities, Fan Expo will have voice actors, comic creators, and people working in the film, comic, and TV industries
Along with the famous folks, there will be cosplay competitions, a tabletop gaming area, trivia events, and, of course, a 300,000-square-foot marketplace with artists, creators, and shops.
Tickets range in price; advance single-day passes are $33 right now, with three-day passes running $80.
