Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 will feature an all-star lineup of numerous celebrities from a wide variety of science fiction, fantasy, and horror television shows and movies, including 20 standout stars. The convention, which commences on Friday, May 3, and ends on Sunday, May 5, will be located at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Everything from autographs and photo ops to panels will be offered over the course of the first weekend of May 2024 at the show.
Some celebrities appearing at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 come from colossal franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while others are known for cult films and series. According to Fan Expo Philadelphia’s website, in the past, the convention has hosted renowned guests such as Stan Lee, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, and many more. For 2024, the weekend in Philadelphia will include several stars of the same caliber, along with a handful of hidden gems who fans can meet and watch spill behind-the-scenes secrets from their movies and shows and tease future roles.
Hayden Christensen is undoubtedly one of the biggest names appearing at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024, especially given his return to the Star Wars franchise in the past couple of years. Christensen is best known for starring as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, debuting in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. The actor also starred in Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith before taking a 17-year hiatus from the role. Christensen later returned as Anakin in two Disney+ series — Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022 and Ahsoka in 2023.
Hayden Christensen won’t be the only Star Wars actor at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 — Rosario Dawson, known for her portrayal of Ahsoka Tano in Disney+’s Ahsoka, will also appear (along with other Ahsoka stars). Dawson originated the live-action version of the iconic Clone Wars character when she guest-starred as Ahsoka in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 5, and The Book of Boba Fett episode 6 before headlining her own show in 2023. Dawson also played Claire Temple in the Netflix Marvel shows, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders.
Natasha Liu Bordizzo is another Ahsoka star who fans can meet at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024. Bordizzo plays Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian warrior who previously fought against the Galactic Empire, in the Disney+ Star Wars television series. The character of Sabine was first introduced into the Star Wars canon in the animated show Star Wars Rebels. Aside from Ahsoka, Bordizzo has starred in Netflix’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, The Greatest Showman, and The Society.
The organizers of Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 went all out in recruiting Star Wars actors for their event — Alan Tudyk is also on the guest list. Tudyk is probably best known for starring as Wash in the tragically short-lived space Western drama series Firefly. But he also played K-2SO in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
A few of the actor’s other memorable roles include Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle in Resident Alien, Eric Morden/Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol, and Ellroy in The Rookie. Tudyk is also a seasoned voice actor, having voiced Alistair Krei in Big Hero 6, The Joker and Clayface in Harley Quinn, Optimus Prime in Transformers: EarthSpark, and many other characters in shows and movies.
Before Rosario Dawson starred as Ahsoka Tano in Disney+’s Ahsoka, Ashley Eckstein originated the Togruta Jedi character in the Star Wars franchise by voicing her in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Eckstein also voiced Ahsoka in Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. Outside Star Wars, Eckstein is known for playing Muffy in That’s So Raven and voicing Mia the Bluebird in Sofia the First. Eckstein also founded the fashion label Her Universe.
Sofia Boutella is a relative newcomer to the science fiction genre, having recently starred in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movies on Netflix, so her being in attendance at Fan Expo Philadelphia is exciting. Boutella plays Kora, a former Imperium soldier who forms an army to fight against the Motherworld in the Netflix epic space opera. The actress will assumingly reprise her role in Rebel Moon 3 and beyond. Aside from Rebel Moon, some may recognize Boutella from her roles in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Star Trek Beyond, and The Mummy.
Even though Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 primarily centers around sci-fi and fantasy media, a couple of other actors famous for their work in other genres will also be at the event, including Rainn Wilson. Many will recognize Wilson from his portrayal of Dwight Schrute in the long-running NBC sitcom The Office. The actor starred in the popular show throughout its run, having appeared in all 201 episodes. Aside from The Office, Wilson has dabbled in the sci-fi genre, as he has starred in Star Trek: Discovery and Utopia. Wilson has also voiced Lex Luthor in various DC projects.
Like Rainn Wilson, Mario Lopez is known for his work outside the sci-fi/fantasy genre, as many will recognize the actor from his role as A.C. Slater in the NBC teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. Lopez played Slater in almost every Saved by the Bell television show (including the revival) and movie. But in the years following his initial run as Slater, Lopez turned to hosting entertainment news magazine series, like Extra and Access Hollywood.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar will join his Saved by the Bell co-star Mario Lopez at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024. Gosselaar is undeniably most recognized for his role as Zack Morris (a name that has almost become synonymous with his own). The actor starred as Zack in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell, Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and the Peacock revival. However, Gosselaar also appeared in television shows such as NYPD Blue, Pitch, Mixed-ish, and Will Trent.
Marisa Tomei is one of a few Marvel stars who will be at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024. For Marvel fans, Tomei is most known for her role as Aunt May Parker in the Spider-Man movies and more in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — she appeared in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Others may also recognize Tomei from My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want, The Wrestler, and other films.
Another Marvel actress appearing at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 is Chloe Bennet, who played Skye/Daisy Johnson/Quake in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., an ABC television series connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bennet starred as the fan-favorite superhero throughout all 136 episodes of the show’s seven seasons, and many hope that she will reprise her role as Quake in future MCU projects. There were rumors that Bennet would be in Disney+’s Secret Invasion because of how Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ended, but those turned out to be false.
Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 will excitedly host an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reunion between Chloe Bennet and Jeff Ward. Ward starred as Deke Shaw beginning in season 5 of the Marvel series up until the series finale in season 7. Deke was from the future and had a shocking connection to a couple of the show’s original characters. Aside from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ward played Buggy the Clown in the Netflix fantasy adventure series One Piece and will reprise his role as Buggy in One Piece season 2.
Danny Trejo is one of the most renowned actors who will be at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024, as he has appeared in various iconic movies and television shows, such as From Dusk till Dawn, Con Air, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and more. However, Trejo’s most recognizable character is Machete, whom the actor first played in the Spy Kids franchise. He reprised the role in a spin-off film, Machete, and its sequel, Machete Kills.
Cameron Monaghan played one of the most iconic villains in Gotham, and he was a series regular on the popular Showtime series Shameless, so his involvement in Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 is exciting, to say the least. Monaghan starred as twins Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska (who served as origin stories for the Joker) in the Fox superhero crime drama, and many critics and viewers praised the actor for his impressive portrayal of the well-known villain. Meanwhile, Monaghan’s Ian Gallagher was also a fan-favorite and appeared in all 11 seasons of Shameless.
Following the release of the live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix, Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 is capitalizing on its relevancy and popularity by including a handful of actors from the show, including Ian Ousley. Ousley stars as Sokka, Katara’s brother in the adventure fantasy series. Before joining the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Ousley appeared in 13 Reasons Why, Young Sheldon, and Physical.
Dallas Liu will appear alongside a few of his Avatar: The Last Airbender castmates at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024. Liu plays Prince Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation who is determined to capture the Avatar in the Netflix series. The actor had a handful of impressive film and television credits to his name prior to starring in Avatar: The Last Airbender, like his roles as Ruihua Chen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Shuji Ishii-Peters in Pen15.
Elizabeth Yu stars as Princess Azula in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, and she will be in attendance at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024. Even though Princess Azula, the princess of the Fire Nation and Zuko’s younger sister, is a recurring character in the first season, she plays a significant role in the live-action fantasy adventure series and will assumingly be even more important in the upcoming seasons. Before appearing in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Yu starred in the films Somewhere in Queens and May December.