FAN EXPO Chicago is celebrating all things pop culture with a star-studded guest list. The 3 day convention takes place this year from August 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The event brings together fans of comics, movies, television, gaming, anime, and more as people flock to the city to connect with fellow fans, show off their latest cosplay, and meet their favorite celebrities.
This year’s line up sees a mix of guests from across film, TV, anime, and gaming. There are panels featuring casts from Star Wars, Twilight, Dragon Ball, and The Flash to name a few. There really is something for everyone at FAN EXPO Chicago.
15
Pom Klementieff
Known For Guardians Of The Galaxy, Avengers, Mission Impossible
Pom Klementieff is known for her portrayal of the sensitive and hilarious Mantis in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers movies as well as kicking ʙuтт in the latest Mission Impossible films as the villain Paris. She is joined at FAN EXPO Chicago by fellow Guardians Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, and Sean Gunn for a panel taking place on Saturday at 1:30 PM in the Main Theater.
14
Alex Brightman
Known For Hazbin H๏τel, Helluva Boss
Helluva Boss is joining Hazbin H๏τel on Amazon Prime this year to the joy of many fans of the animated series. Alex Brightman stars in both shows, playing multiple characters in the adult series. In Helluva Boss he voices both Robo Fizz and Fizzarolli and in Hazbin H๏τel he plays Sir Pentious and Adam. He also gets off to show his musical talents on the show, fitting since he was nominated for a Tony Award for his roles in the Beetlejuice and School of Rock musicals on Broadway. Brightman joins fellow cast members Morgana Ignis, Vivian Nixon Williams, Bryce Pinkham, and Richard Horvitz for a Helluva Boss panel on Friday at 4:15 PM in the Main Theater.
13
Thomas Lennon
Known For Reno 911!
Thomas Lennon is the creator, writer, and star of Reno 911! and subsequent revival and TV movies where he plays Lieutenant James Dangle in all his short shorts glory. He has also starred in films such as 17 Again alongside Zac Efron and the late Matthew Perry, Night at the Museum, and I Love You, Man. Lennon will be reunited with fellow Reno 911! cast member Cedric Yarbrough (Deputy S. Jones) at FAN EXPO Chicago for a panel on Friday at 8:00 PM in Theater #2 that is sure to bring the laughs.
12
Mae Whitman
Known For Avatar: The Last Airbender, Arrested Development, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Whether she’s playing one of Ramona Flowers’ evil exes or the water bender Katara, Mae Whitman brings a fun and feisty energy to her characters. A star of both film and TV, her career began at a young age when she played Meg Ryan’s daughter in When a Man Loves a Woman at age 5. At FAN EXPO Chicago, Whitman will appear on two panels, one at 6:45 PM on Friday in the Main Theater and the other on Saturday at 11:00 AM moderated by ScreenRant’s Joe Deckelmeier. The panels will also feature Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang), Zack De Sena (Sokka), Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph), Dante Basco (Zuko), and Greg Baldwin (Uncle Iroh) as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
11
John Hannah
Known For The Mummy Trilogy, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
As the smart and neurotic brother of Evie (Rachel Weisz) in the 1999 film The Mummy, John Hannah quickly became a beloved character in the series. It helped that he constantly found himself in danger, allowing his sister to save the day. Hannah will reunite with his Mummy cast members Brendan Fraser (Rick O’Connell), Patricia Velasquez (Anck-Su-Namun), and Ode Fehr (Ardeth Bay) for a panel on Sunday at 12:15 PM in the Main Theater.
10
Mckenna Grace
Known For Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, The Handmaid’s Tale
If there’s a younger version of a character in a movie or TV show, chances are Mckenna Grace has played her. She has starred as the younger version of Margot Robbie’s character in I, Tonya, young Sabrina Spellman in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and young adult Carol in Captain Marvel. Grace has also broken out on her own with critically acclaimed performances in The Handmaids Tale and a lead role in the new Ghostbusters films. Her next role will take her to Panem where she will be playing Maysilee Donner in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
9
Mason Thames
Known For How to Train Your Dragon, The Black Phone
Mason Thames is having a big 2025. Not only did he star in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon film, but this year also sees him leading the Scott Derrickson horror film The Black Phone 2 and the Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You alongside fellow FAN EXPO Chicago guest Mckenna Grace. Catch his panel on Sunday in Theater #2 at 4:00 PM.
8
Ming-Na Wen
Known For Star Wars, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Mulan
Ming-Na Wen has been a fierce presence on screen for many years. She’s played iconic characters such as Mulan, Melinda May, and most recently, the bounty hunter Fennec Shand across several Star Wars series on Disney+. She’s always a con favorite and FAN EXPO Chicago should be no exception. Her panel takes place on Sunday at 12:00 PM in Theater #2 and fans are not going to want to miss it.
7
Karen Gillan
Known For Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Who
Karen Gillan has traveled time and space, been trapped in a video game, and fought Thanos. She’s truly done it all. The jury is still out on whether she will join the new Avengers in fighting Doctor Doom, but fans will still want to catch her panel with the rest of the Guardians of Galaxy to hear about her time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and beyond.
6
May Hong
Known For Hacks, KPop Demon Hunters
No movie is bigger right now than KPop Demon Hunters. The Netflix phenomenon has been breaking records thanks to its catchy songs, great story, and voice cast.
May Hong voices Mira, the sarcastic and ᴅᴇᴀᴅpan lead dancer of Huntr/x. Her panel will be on Saturday at 3:00 PM in Theater #2 and fans are going to want to see the panel and hear all about the surprise success of the movie.
