By JAMES BURRELL
Recently, downtown Toronto was host to Canada’s largest pop culture event: FAN EXPO CANADA 2025. The four-day show—which is held annually at the Metro Convention Centre— took place from August 21st to 24th and celebrates all manner of fandom: comic books, science-fiction, gaming, anime and horror. As is the case each year, the convention drew massive crowds (though attendance numbers haven’t been released yet for this installment, the event has grown to attract an estimated 135,000 to 140,000 people each summer) to the Centre’s two huge buildings.
Among the guests on hand were stars Ewen McGregor, William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Brandon Routh. Representing the horror and cult film and television side was genre favorite Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Cronos, Alien Resurrection), as well as Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead) and Laura Vandervoort (V, the Soska Sister’s Rabid).
For fans of Netflix’s Wednesday, cast members were on hand to talk about the current season of the show and a large, interactive “Alone Zone” was set up for convention goers to spend time in. To mark the upcoming release of The Conjuring: Last Rites to cinemas, attendees could be “blessed” by a “priest” before entering an ominous 60-foot-long maze of mirrors installation dubbed “Reflections of Evil.” And distributor Raven Banner Entertainment was on hand to promote the new remake of the early ‘80s cult classic, Deathstalker, written and directed by Steve Kostanski. On display at the Raven Banner booth were several screen-used props from the film, which is slated to be released on home video in the US by Shout! Studios.
Merchandise-wise, local dealers and artisans like Movie Poster Warehouse, Hollywood Canteen, BMV, Blockheadz and Candy’s Costume Shop were present with a plethora of movie posters, lobby cards, books, masks, costumes, toys, custom dolls and figures for sale. And of course, there was cosplaying galore, with many attendees donning elaborate costumes of characters from their favorite series, comics and films.
Have a look at some photos from this year’s FAN EXPO CANADA!
