FAN EXPO Canada 2026 Turns Thirty with Hobbits, Hamill, and Record Resident Evil Reunion

Toronto’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre will open its doors Thursday for FAN EXPO Canada 2026 — running August 27 through 30 — in what organizers are billing as the convention’s most ambitious edition in its thirty-year history. With 135,000 fans expected this weekend, an 11-city Lord of the Rings hobbit reunion tour landing on one of its final stops, a rare Mark Hamill appearance tied to the convention’s thirtieth anniversary, and what organizers are calling the world’s largest-ever Resident Evil cast reunion, this year’s show arrives as a convergence of milestones that would be difficult to manufacture deliberately. FAN EXPO Canada is the third-largest pop culture convention in all of North America — the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada — having grown from a gathering of 1,500 fans in 1995 into a four-day citywide spectacle.

The convention spans more than 700,000 square feet across the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s North and South Buildings at 255 Front Street West. VIP, Ultimate, and four-day pass holders can access an early preview beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday; general admission opens at 4 p.m. ET. Friday and Saturday hours will run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET; Sunday closes at 5 p.m. ET. Single-day general admission starts at $41 on Thursday, rising to $51 on Friday, $73 on Saturday, and $56 on Sunday, with a four-day pass available for $139.

Mark Hamill Returns for FAN EXPO Canada’s Thirtieth

The biggest addition to this year’s lineup — one that was announced just days before the convention — is Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who will make what organizers describe as a rare public appearance on Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. ET. The official FAN EXPO Canada special-experiences page notes that Hamill chose the appearance specifically to celebrate thirty years with fans at the convention. Limited VIP packages that included a guaranteed photo op and autograph had already sold out as of this writing; general seating at the panel will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with general admission.

Hamill is best known for playing Luke Skywalker across the original Star Wars trilogy and its sequels, and for his long-running voice performance as the Joker across animated Batman projects spanning three decades. His appearances at pop-culture conventions have grown increasingly rare in recent years, making this stop a significant draw for the Saturday crowd.

The Crown Jewel: An Evening with the Hobbits

The convention’s signature event is a 25th-anniversary celebration of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, featuring four of the saga’s hobbit actors: Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck), and Billy Boyd (Peregrin “Pippin” Took). Toronto is one of eleven cities on the 2026 reunion tour that began at FAN EXPO New Orleans in January.

The four will take the stage for An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years on two nights: Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Saturday’s performance is already sold out; Friday’s event may still have availability as of publication. Organizers describe the format as “part variety show, part storytelling session” — each night’s panel will be distinct, with behind-the-scenes memories, on-stage antics, and reflections on twenty-five years of fandom. Note that this is not a free general-admission panel: all attendees will need to purchase a dedicated ticket for either performance, separate from general convention admission.

Elijah Wood reflected on the anniversary milestone, describing the quarter-century mark as feeling abstract — noting that the films still feel present and that ongoing convention appearances keep the experience fresh for the cast. Check the official FAN EXPO Canada special-experiences page for current availability.

The Lord of the Rings celebration will extend beyond the main-stage panels. John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) and David Wenham (Faramir) are confirmed for autograph and photo-op sessions throughout the weekend. Fans of Lost will also notice an unplanned mini-reunion: Josh Holloway, Henry Ian Cusick, and Dominic Monaghan — who played Charlie Pace in the series — are all scheduled to attend.

For the devoted, Sunday morning offers Second Breakfast, An Unexpected Feast with the Hobbits, held at the InterContinental Toronto beginning at 8 a.m. ET. Priced at $229 per person and sold separately from general admission, the intimate small-group brunch with hobbits offers a small-group breakfast format with all four hobbit actors.

“World’s Largest-Ever Resident Evil Reunion” Opens Friday

Friday afternoon brings what organizers are calling the world’s largest-ever Resident Evil reunion, timed to the Capcom survival-horror franchise’s 30th anniversary. Toronto actress Alyson Court — who voiced Claire Redfield across Resident Evil 2, Code Veronica, and multiple additional entries in the series — assembled the roster, which will gather at 2 p.m. ET in Room 701:

• Alyson Court — Claire Redfield
• Sally Cahill — Ada Wong
• Charlie Kraslavsky — Chris Redfield
• Catherine Disher — Jill Valentine
• Paul Mercier — Leon S. Kennedy
• Riva Di Paola Lombardi — Rebecca Chambers
• Richard Waugh — Albert Wesker
• Jarelle “Jay” Christie — Jim Chapman
• Jacob Barker — Kevin Ryman
• Evan Sabba — Brad Vickers
• Laura Thorne — Yoko Suzuki
• Vittorio Altomare — Mark Wilkins
• Genevieve Buechner — Ashley Graham (Resident Evil 4 remake, 2023)
• Andre Pena — Luis Serra (Resident Evil 4 remake, 2023)

Following the panel, most of the cast will be available for signings at the Trepidation Comics booth on Friday and again on Sunday.

Day-by-Day Programming Guide

Thursday, August 27

Meet Mikasa: Attack on Titan Q&A with Trina Nishimura — 8 p.m. ET, Room 206

The convention will kick off Thursday evening with an Attack on Titan retrospective featuring Trina Nishimura, the English-language voice of Mikasa Ackerman, moderated by ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley. The panel will examine the legacy of an anime that debuted in 2013 and spent the better part of a decade completing its four-season run.

Friday, August 28

Breakthroughs in Motion: Q&A with Ji-Young Yoo — Noon ET, Room 206

Until Dawn and KPop Demon Hunters actress Ji-Young Yoo is scheduled to appear for a conversation on character craft and modern genre storytelling, moderated by ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley.

Engines, Encores, and Enterprise with Bruce Dickinson — 4 p.m. ET, Room 206

Iron Maiden frontman, licensed commercial airline pilot, author, and entrepreneur Bruce Dickinson is slated to join the convention for a wide-ranging discussion tracing the intersection of artistic discipline and leadership — expected to cover vocal technique, the engineering mindset behind elite performance, and lessons from professional a

Saturday, August 29

From Braveheart to Mad Max: A Q&A with Mel Gibson — 12:15 p.m. ET, Constitution Hall (Main Stage)

Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson is scheduled for a career retrospective covering his work on Braveheart, Mad Max, and Lethal Weapon, moderated by ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley.

The Mummy with Oded Fehr — 2 p.m. ET, Room 714

Oded Fehr — who played the warrior Ardeth Bay in the 1999–2001 Mummy franchise and appears as Admiral Charles Vance in Star Trek: Discovery — is set to join the convention for a behind-the-scenes retrospective. The session will be moderated by ScreenRant.

Dead by Daylight / Behaviour Interactive Panel — 3 p.m. ET, Room 707

Canada’s largest independent game developer, Behaviour Interactive, is scheduled to host a dedicated gaming panel covering its flagship asymmetric horror title Dead by Daylight — which reaches its 10th anniversary in 2026 — alongside other titles in the studio’s portfolio, including 7 Days to Die.

Frank Miller — Special Comic Experience (All Day)

Legendary creator Frank Miller (Sin City, 300, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) is offering a premium all-day meet-and-greet with sketch commissions from $200 to $4,000. Miller’s Saturday panel is a highlight for comics fans. Former Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada is also offering signature and sketch packages ranging from $40 to $1,740, with his own panel throughout the weekend.

Sunday, August 30

Beyond Starlight: Craft, Resilience, and Reinvention with Erin Moriarty — 11 a.m. ET, Room 206

The Boys and True Detective actress Erin Moriarty will sit down for a candid conversation about navigating the entertainment industry, moderated by ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley.

John Cena Live — 4:15 p.m. ET, Constitution Hall

Peacemaker star and WWE legend John Cena is set to headline Sunday afternoon with photo opportunities, autographs, and a dedicated live event. General seating at the panel is included with admission on a first-come, first-served basis; paid gold and silver tickets will guarantee a seat.

Gaming Guests: One of the Strongest Voice-Acting Rosters in Years

Beyond the dedicated panels, FAN EXPO Canada 2026 is scheduled to feature one of the most stacked video game voice-acting lineups the convention has assembled, including:

• Steve Downes — Master Chief, Halo series
• Jen Taylor — Cortana, Halo series
• Christopher Judge — Kratos, God of War series (also known for Stargate SG-1)
• Roger Clark — Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption II
• Ben Starr — Gustave, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Jennifer English — Maelle, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; Shadowheart, Baldur’s Gate 3
• Michael Ironside — Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell (Toronto native)
• William Fichtner — Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Sam Witwer — various Star Wars games

Note on Jennifer English: The actress is best known to gaming fans for two distinct roles in two different games — Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023) and Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025). Both games won Game of the Year in their respective years. Her dual-role gaming career makes her one of the few performers to anchor back-to-back Game of the Year winners.

Comics Programming: Legends and Rising Stars

The comic book floor is headlined by genuine industry legends. Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn) is hosting a full comic experience including cover art, original art, and signings, with packages from $140 to $1,250. Tom King (Supergirl, Mister Miracle, Batman) and David Finch (Ultimate X-Men, Moon Knight) round out the current-creator lineup. Klaus Janson — whose inking collaboration with Frank Miller on Batman: The Dark Knight Returns remains one of the medium’s landmark achievements — is also confirmed.

Aspiring creators should note that the Kubert School (booth KS01) is offering free skills labs and portfolio reviews throughout the weekend.

Show Floor Highlights

With 400,000 square feet dedicated to shopping, the convention floor will span vintage collectibles, show-exclusive items, comics, anime merchandise, cosplay props, and more. Additional programming will include:

Japanese Arcade and Tabletop Gaming — Free play (with convention ticket) on vintage Japanese arcade machines, pinball, and classic board games throughout the weekend.

Cosplay Red Carpet and Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix — A competitive costume showcase for local creators competing for cash prizes.

Anime Idolfest — A performance showcase featuring singing, dancing, and cosplay.

Comics Xplosion — An art Battle Royale with club and DJ elements.

LEGO Activations — A life-size Pikachu built entirely from LEGO bricks, alongside life-size AT-RT and Spider-Man displays, a Pokemon-themed Make & Take, and preview access to recently launched LEGO Pokemon sets.

Trading Card Station — Dedicated space for Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, and other trading card games.

Tabletop Gaming — Free-play sessions and tournaments for Dungeons & Dragons, BattleTech, and more.

Starship Troopers Reunion — Denise Richards, Michael Ironside, Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, and Jake Busey are all scheduled to appear, making for a substantial reunion of the 1997 Paul Verhoeven science-fiction film.

What to Know Before You Go: Is There a Good Day to Avoid the Crowds?

Yes — and it matters. With 135,000 fans expected over four days, Saturday and Sunday will see the heaviest attendance. Convention veterans consistently recommend Thursday and Friday for lighter crowds, better access to the show floor and Artist Alley, and shorter lines at the celebrity signing tables. By mid-morning Saturday — when headlining panels are drawing peak crowds — congestion on the convention floor can make navigation slow and signing lines very long. Plan accordingly.

The complete schedule is available at the official FAN EXPO Canada website and through the official iOS and Android app.

Practical Information

All times Eastern. Specific guest scheduling and session times subject to change; confirm at the official FAN EXPO Canada website or app before attending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lord of the Rings hobbit panel sold out?

The Saturday, August 29 performance of An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years (7:30 p.m. ET) was sold out as of publication. The Friday, August 28 performance (7 p.m. ET) may still have availability. Neither performance is included with general admission — all attendees must purchase a separate dedicated ticket for entry. Check the official special-experiences page for current availability.

Can I still meet Mark Hamill at FAN EXPO Canada 2026?

The limited VIP package for Mark Hamill — which included a guaranteed photo op, autograph, and reserved panel seating — had sold out as of publication. However, Hamill’s Saturday panel at 4 p.m. ET is open to general admission attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early on Saturday if you plan to attend.

How much does it cost to attend FAN EXPO Canada 2026, and which day is best for newcomers?

Single-day general admission ranges from $41 on Thursday to $73 on Saturday. Thursday and Friday are the recommended days for first-time visitors or anyone who wants more manageable crowds: the convention is fully operational on both days, but Saturday and Sunday draw significantly heavier attendance as headlining panel days. A four-day pass costs $139 and includes Thursday early access at 2 p.m. and a limited-edition T-shirt.

What makes FAN EXPO Canada 2026 different from previous years?

Three simultaneous milestone anniversaries are converging on a single weekend: FAN EXPO Canada’s own 30th anniversary (which brought Mark Hamill in as a special guest), the Lord of the Rings 25th anniversary reunion tour (an 11-city run that concludes with the Toronto stop among its final dates), and the Resident Evil franchise’s 30th anniversary. The last time all three of these franchises had major anniversary years in the same calendar year was never — this is a coincidence of timing that won’t repeat for years.

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