Faves from Marvel, 'Jurassic Park' 'Star Wars' franchises set for FAN EXPO Boston
BOSTON — This year’s FAN EXPO Boston, you might want to survey the stellar celebrity lineup with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.Then again, FAN EXPO Boston might make you want to apply for an apprenticeship with the Jedi Council, summer internship at “The Daily Bugle” or check into the career opportunities offered at Jurassic World, the successor of “Jurassic Park.”
Be careful, FAN EXPO Boston might also make you nostalgic for Hell’s Kitchen and high school. And, by the time everything’s done, you’ll need a “National Lampoon’s Vacation” as you’re looking for a MBTA station to get you safely home and out of the Delta Quadrant.
With too many celebrity panels, photo ops opportunities, merchandise tables and autographs signing to cover in a day, the latest, three-day FAN EXPO Boston is happening June 14-16 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.
Great Dane
He antagonized James Bond in “Casino Royale,” Daniel Craig’s first foray as James Bond 007.
He was the chief architect behind the dreaded Death Star of “Star Wars” lore, according to “Rogue One.”He played a Master of the Mystic Arts who broke away from the Ancient One in “Doctor Strange.”
He caused mass violence, terror and chaos around the world in “Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore.”
And he tried to change the outcome of World War II in favor of the Nazis in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”
But FAN EXPO Boston organizers believe that attendees will want to chew the fat with great Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen for taken over the Dr. Hannibal Lecter role from Anthony Hopkins in the grisly “Hannibal” TV series.
Also, joining “Hannibal” for a lecture is Claire Danes’ hubby Hugh Dancy, who played criminal profile Will Graham on the series. Both are appearing Friday and Saturday.
Opie Taylor’s offspring
Boy, has Little Ronny Howard’s daughter grown into an accomplished actress, as well as a solid director like her Academy Award-winning director dad.
For fanatical fandom, Bryce Dallas Howard is the first to play Peter Parker’s ill-fated girlfriend Gwen Stacy in “Spider-Man 3,” a movie that shot more blanks than wove webs of intrigue.
Bryce also played Kate Connor, wife of future leader of the resistance against the Terminators John Connor in “Terminator Salvation” and a catlike vampire in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”
And she had directed standout episodes of “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”
But she’s best known for the role as Dinosaur Protection Group founder and leader Claire Dearing in the “Jurassic World” trilogy. Just don’t ask Bryce what in the world went wrong with “Argylle” (appearing Friday-Sunday).
I am no Jedi
In addition to playing a nurse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who has given medical aid to vigilante superheroes including “Daredevil” and various members of “The Defenders,” New York-born Rosario Dawson’s colorful résumé includes playing drums for “Josie and the Pussycats,” and sleeping around in the indie drama “Kids” (her 1995 debut), as well as appearing in Kevin Smith’s “Clerks II and 3,” Quentin Tarantino’s grindhouse gem/foot fetish fiasco “Death Proof” and the Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller collaboration “Sin City" and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.”
But it’s her role of former Jedi apprentice to Anakin Skywalker (aka the future Darth Vader) Ahsoka Tano (in “The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett” and, you guessed it, her own standalone show “Ahsoka”) that will be making would-be padawan with battery-operated light sabers buzzing in anticipation of her arrival. (appearing Saturday and Sunday)
Eman Esfandi and Diana Lee Inosanto of “Ahsoka” also appear Saturday and Sunday.
What is a ‘Yute’?
Academy Award-winner actress Marisa Tomei — best known as Mona Lisa Vito in “My Cousin Vinny” and Aunt May to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — will give sworn testimony on the correct ignition timing on a 1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor, and share other memories with fans. (appearing Saturday and Sunday)
Men without fear
If you’re a fan of the live-action “Daredevil” series, here’s a double whammy of note for you. Following the red spandex heels of Rex Smith and Ben Affleck, Charlie Cox has carved a niche as the definitive Matt Murdock/Daredevil, while Vincent D’Onofrio is absolute dream-casting as the menacing Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, the crime lord of New York City. And if Daredevil isn’t your thing, D’Onofrio also delivered memorable roles in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket,” “Mystic Pizza” and “The Cell” that’s worth praising. (both Saturday only)
Holiday Road
It’s a “National Lampoon’s Vacation”/Griswold family reunion of sorts at FAN EXPO Boston, with Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold), Beverly D’Angelo (Ellen Griswold), Dana Barron (Audrey Griswold) and Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie). And for you “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” fans, this is a perfect photo op for your family’s Christmas card. Chase, D’Angelo and Barron are all appearing Saturday and Sunday; Quaid all three days.
Screeching halt
If you’re nostalgic for ‘90s teen sitcoms, the “Saved By the Bell” mini-reunion is for you. Relive the glory days of fictional Los Angeles high school Bayside High with two of its male leads, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez, aka Zack and Slater, respectively. (both Saturday and Sunday)
O Captain, my Captain
Trekkie alert. Condition red. Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager has return to the Alpha Quadrant and is beaming down to FAN EXPO Boston.
It’s always a thrill when a Starfleet Captain shows up at a comic con in the area and Kate Mulgrew is one of the best.
And, in recent years, the Janeway character has gain a new legion of fans commanding the USS Dauntless, searching for the missing USS Protostar, being commanded by her former Voyager first officer Chakotay.
And for us grownups and fans of women behind bars, Mulgrew played Russian inmate “Red,” master chef and behind-the-scenes inmate leader on “Orange Is The New Black.” (Saturday and Sunday)
Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan — aka Piper and her bewitching half-sister Paige on “Charmed,” respectively — will be casting their collective spell on the comic con crowd this weekend.
In addition to “Charmed,” Combs was incredible playing Ella Montgomery on “Pretty Little Liars,” while McGowan was a scream in the Wes Craven’s original “Scream” and Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror.” (both all three days)
Other FAN EXPO Boston celebrity guests include Alan Tudyk of “Star Wars” and “Firefly” fame (appearing Saturday and Sunday), Cameron Monaghan of “Shameless” (Saturday and Sunday), Sean Gunn of “Guardians of the Galaxy” (Saturday and Sunday), and Ashley Eckstein of “Her Universe Founder” (all three days).
FAN EXPO Boston
When: 4 to 9 p.m. June 14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16
Where: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston.
How much: For convention and tickets information, visit fanexpohq.com/fanexpoboston.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: FAN EXPO Boston returns with stars including Marisa Tomei, Charlie Cox