Fan Expo Canada 2015 Day 3 & 4

Saturday and Sunday of Fan Expo are generally on big blur, that’s why I’m combining the two into one page.

Saturday is the day that normally the “Big” stars arrive, from Rupert Grint, Norman Reedus and Robin Lord Taylor, there are a lot of actors coming that are a huge draw for fans. The lines are enormous, taking up the majority of the north building of the Metro Convention Centre. There is a lot of wasted space on the main floor normally filled with awesome attractions. Last year the 1966 Batmobile was present and it drew huge crowds, this year there’s no such attractions to be found.  I find it a little odd, even The EB games booth had a huge Replica of the Arkham Knight Batmobile last year but there are no similar draws this year.

There were so many Q&A’s to be seen that I really only had time for a few, mainly because the line ups are so long.

After showing my wife/photographer around the entire complex it became quite clear that to a new comer this is a lot to take in. She quickly became enthralled with finding items that our 10 year old daughter would love. A dancing Groot figure, some Hogwarts buttons, even some New 52 Aquaman TPB’s. My little girl is growing into quite the fan girl but she’s not ready for the Expo yet.

My wife and I made it to one of my most wanted Q&A’s, Jason Mamoa. We wait in line with the other fans, while we have press passes there are no special privileges for us when concerning lines. As we make into Hall 105 we wait patiently until the tall 6’5” frame of the future Aquaman comes into view. Sporting an interesting hat and dressed for comfort Jason comes across with almost a surfer dude quality. He’s mellow at times and yet seems to have an amazing sense of humor.

As the fans ask him a lot of questions that he’s not allowed to answer about his future roll, he does let one thing become clear, don’t judge his Aquaman like you would the character from comics. This will not be the classic almost silly version, he will bring his own take with the energy that made him not only Conan the Barbarian but Khal Drogo as well.  The session lasts nearly an hour, during which Mamoa really showed a side of himself that I’m certain few attendees knew he had.  That plus he granted a woman her dream role as she asked him to replay a scene with her made famous in Game of Thrones.  While many people in the hall seemed uncomfortable, Mamoa seemed to laugh it off and I’m sure he has a fan for life now.

The cosplayers are amazing this year bringing style and technique to their crafts, there are a few that are over the top and maybe a little too provocative but to each their own. “Cosplay is not Consent” is a theme found on billboards throughout the Expo. Apparently its been noted that some people believe that just because a girl or guy dresses up it means that you’re allowed to touch them, a silly notion but then again we do put warnings on toasters telling idiots to not bath with them, so I guess this warning must be displayed as well.

My biggest concern with both Saturday and Sunday is again the lack of a press scrum, apparently due to scheduling there will not be one this year, which really makes me wish I had spent more time at Q&A’s and doing interviews. Unfortunately this year around 8-10 different guests decided to not do press interviews this year, leaving the reporters a little out in the cold.

On Sunday I was able to attend two Q&A’s one with Amy Acker of Angel and Person of Interest fame, and also with Hayley Atwell of Agent Carter and Captain America fame. These two women are nothing but impressive. If you haven’t experience Amy Ackers work you should. Her range is enormous and her presence is impressive for such a tiny woman. Hayley Atwell is a striking image of beauty and laughter. She is a great role model for girls, women and even men.

As Fan Expo came to a close for 2015 I can tell you that it was filled with both great moments and a few disappointing ones. Scheduling is a huge issue and sometimes it seems like the guests won’t be able to make it on time. This is a common occurrence of course since their days are filled to the brim with filming the roles that we all love. I can’t express enough how great an experience Expo. So if you’re Canadian get your butt in gear and come see it, and if you’re from any other country, get your passport ready, the 3^rd largest event in North America is calling for you especially for you Americans, your dollar is worth way more than ours right now, just think of the savings.