Couldn’t make it? Want to relive it? Check out our coverage of Fan Expo Denver.
Pop culture fans knew it was a good event when there were so many amazing panels and activities that it took meticulous planning to create that ideal schedule. Attendees got creative to squeeze in superstars such as Elijah Wood, Anthony Daniels, Ming-Na Wen, Kevin Smith, Charlie Hunnam, Billy West, Will Friedle, Christy Carlson Romano, Sean Schemmel, and jaw-dropping comic icons like Jim Lee. Then there was that Saturday night when the Hobbits lit up Denver! The main events room was at capacity with the reunion of Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.
Of course, the Merchant Mesa was packed full of treasures. There was absolutely something for everybody as wandering eyes, smiles, and wallets strolled the isles looking for that something special they could not get anywhere else. Just down the rows past the vendors were super-talented authors and artists on hand to chat with their fans and share their wares. Kids found fun learning art, gaming, and storytime. Fellow fans shared their knowledge and passion for subjects galore in all of the panels available.
There were Banthas and lightsabers, comics and artwork, and serious smiles of joy at every turn. “Star Wars” fans discussed which movies were the best. It was actually refreshing to hear one fan say that they loved all of them because, hello, they’re all “Star Wars.”
The guest lineup was incredible, and here are some highlights from some of the panels in the Main Events room.
Anthony Daniels
Anthony Daniels entered the room from the back and spent much of his time mingling through the audience with his mic. Promoting his book A Droid’s Tale, he looked like he was having a blast. C-3PO himself entertained like a one-man show. He was hilarious. One of the questions that he asked the audience was who remembered the “Star Wars” movies before Disney took over? He shared some great stories such as how very difficult the first day was on the set of “A New Hope.” Can you imagine that heat in the desert? And in that gold suit?! The suit wasn’t even ready in time. Once he put the suit on, the cast and crew were absolutely amazed.
Ming-Na Wen
This was not Ming-Na Wen’s first rodeo. She commanded the audience with wit and fabulous stories about life on the set of “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.” The Mando set was an absolute dream. She said that it was the best experience anyone could have asked for. Admittedly “Star Wars” was her ultimate fandom growing up as it was a form of escapism and dreams. Ming-Na was only supposed to shoot one episode and then die, but thanks to fans, she came back. She felt like a guest on that set, whereas on “Book of Boba Fett,” she ended up owning the Hutt’s house!
Matthew Lewis
Someone asked Matthew Lews if he was shy as a kid, and his answer was that he was, indeed, Neville Longbottom! Laughing he said that it was certainly not because of his acting ability. Shy yes, and he was a bit frightened of Alan Rickman for quite a long time. Lewis did add that all of the adults on the cast were so lovely and he wished he had gotten to know them better–especially Alan. On his last day, he finally went to talk with him. Bravely, he went to his trailer and Rickman invited him in. They shared a cup of tea and he offered him some good advice on how to further his career. He wouldn’t be where he was today if Rickman had not done that.
Lewis’ favorite line was “that went well” on the bridge in “Deathly Hallows.”
“Sons of Anarchy’s” Charlie Hunnam, Ryan Hurst, Emilio Rivera
Fans asked some great questions and shared some heartfelt stories about how the show impacted their lives. Charlie Hunnam, Ryan Hurst, and Emilio Rivera fielded these questions and gave everyone in the room some wonderful insight into the series that made these guys stars, “Sons of Anarchy.” Below are some of the answers that came out of that fabulous hour of entertainment.
Hunnam: Favorite movie growing up was “Clash of the Titans.”
Rivera: He was into gangster movies and The Munsters. He actually still watches old black and white TV to this day.
Hurst: Superman was everything to him. He slept in his cape!
Hunnam: When he found “Sons,” it was life imitating art. He felt like he was living out his childhood dreams.
Hurst: He got to play pretend for money.
Rivera: “Sons” was more than a TV series. It was a brotherhood.
What was the most tragic death on the show?
Hunnam: Opie and the killing of his “mom” was hard too. He was almost tearful when he talked about killing off characters. Speaking of that, when Jax rodes towards the semi-truck in the finalte, it wasn’t scripted to have his arms spread out. He felt like Kurt Sutter allowed him to make his own interpretation. Kurt liked it.
Rivera: When it came to killing characters off on “The Mayans,” he laughed and said, well at least it wasn’t Opie!
Hurst: When shows go on for so many years it becomes a different art form for an actor. It’s an interesting mental creative process.
Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood was introduced to a huge and enthusiastic crowd. Screams and excitement filled the room. These fans were absolutely ready to hear some stories from “Frodo.” They were not disappointed. They found out that the game Animal Crossing was a bright light for him during the pandemic. Story-based games were his favorite because there was always some drama in the storytelling. When asked what he was looking forward to in the gaming world he answered that he was very excited for the game Stray to come out.
This was actually the morning after the big Saturday night Hobbit reunion, Wood said that he felt like they were all the same after 20 years. Each time they all get together for an event, they make it a point to have dinner together in every city they visit.
A fan asked him why Frodo kept dropping his sword. Wood laughed and answered that his power wasn’t in his sword fighting, it was in the power of the ring.
Sean Astin
Sean Astin was hilarious right from the start. The room was loud with applause when Astin was introduced. He thanked everyone and said that Denverites were a precious metal. When “Lord of the Rings” and “Goonies” were mentioned, there were soulful cheers. But it was when the film “Rudy” was mentioned that the room broke into the Rudy chant!
Astin was asked about on-screen chemistry? Well, kissing Frodo worked well!
He had been trying to get Elijah to play League of Legends after their reunion panel the night before but didn’t happen.
The cosplay was creative and fun.
It was absolutely wonderful seeing cosplayers of all ages. The passion of it all was mind-blowing. Imagine how much sewing, gluing, cutting, and masterful planning went into creating these costumes. Well done, Denverites. Well done!
Pin this site to the top for next year’s Fan Expo Denver June 30th-July 2nd, 2022.
Written by Colleen Bement
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
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