Phoenix Fan Fusion Special Guest Highlights
We are only one week away from Phoenix Fan Fusion, formerly known as Phoenix Comic Con, and the guests and schedules are really coming together to make it an awesome year! There are pages and pages of special guests listed on the Phoenix Fan Fusion website, but I have highlighted my favorite guests below that I’ll be hoping to see!
First off, we’ve got Paul Reubens, that’s right, Pee-wee Herman himself will be in attendance. The guy who has played Pee-wee for over the last 30 years, as well as voiced major characters like Max in Flight of the Navigator, and RX-24 in the old Star Tours ride at Disney parks has been in so many things we never even knew besides the things we love him for. I’m partial to Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, but he was also in all the other Pee-wee projects, as well as Batman Returns, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Matilda, Mystery Men, and so many animated series, like DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, it’s insane! Reubens will be available at the fest on Saturday and Sunday, and photo ops will range from $60-$80.
Next up, is THE Jeff Goldblum. The charismatic and incredibly talented actor, who’s also still pretty hot if I may say so myself, is known for his distinct style and many iconic roles in movies like Jurassic Park, Independence Day, The Fly, Thor: Ragnarok, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Will & Grace, and The Big Chill, among others. We share a birthday, and I called him hot. Do you think that’ll get me in for a free selfie? Goldblum will be in attendance Saturday only and will be available for autographs for $110 and photos for $120.
Also at the fest is your favorite hobbit and mine: Elijah Wood. Wood has been a favorite actor of mine since we were both kids. I loved the movies Paradise and Radio Flyer and Forever Young when they came out, and pretty much everything he was in since then. Of course the trilogy The Lord of the Rings was a giant hit and an incredible series. And the weird indie films that came after were fantastic, including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City, and Bobby. I loved him most recently in the TV series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, which was so dang good, and ended way too soon. Wood will be at the fest Friday and Saturday, and will be available for a photo or autograph for $80, or a combo of the two for $140
Like the two before him, this next actor is also hot. Sorry, Paul Reubens. Matthew Lewis, of Harry Potter film fame. Our very own Neville Longbottom, who began the series an odd-looking little boy, and grew up to be oh so much more. He was recently seen as an oblivious boyfriend in Me Before You and has been keeping busy on other projects, but will always be Neville Longbottom in our hearts. Lewis will be in attendance on Saturday and Sunday, and will be available for photo ops for $50-$70
Billy Dee Williams needs no introduction it seems, but he is, of course, the world’s first Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars films, and will be returning to play the role in the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. He’s been in other great movies over the years, like Batman and Fanboys, but will always be Lando Calrissian in our hearts. Williams will be at the fest Friday though Sunday and will be available for an $80 photo, or a paid autograph on site.
Last on my list, but absolutely not least, is the great Chris Sarandon. This is the one my kids are really losing their minds over. We recently showed them The Princess Bride, and they are obsessed. When we told them he would be at the convention, they were a mix of excited, shocked, and appalled. I have explained to them that Mr. Sarandon played Prince Humperdinck, but he himself is a good person and should not be held accountable for Humperdinck’s actions, and they are still sketchy about the whole thing. They may boo at him and call him names. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. He is also, of course, the wonderful voice of Jack Skellington in the beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas, but he will always be Prince Humperdinck in our hearts… Sarandon will be at the Fan Fest Friday through Sunday, and will be available for a selfie or autograph for $50, a photo op for $60, or a combo for $80.
Many more authors, artists, cosplayers, comedians, Power Rangers, drag Queens, and others will be at Phoenix Fan Fest from May 23rd-May 26th. Tickets are still available online. Look for the GeekTyrant crew, and come geek out with us.
Let us know if you’ll be attending, who you’ll be dressed up as, and who you’re most excited to see!