Curating a Calgary Expo guest list can be a source of pride—and occasionally panic

This year’s Expo will feature four hobbits making the long trek to Calgary. (Courtesy Fan Expo/Bill Waters)

Wrangling famous folks for the Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo can take a lot of work, if Andrew Moyes is being honest.

The FanExpoHQ vice-president tells CTV News the guest list is something his team takes pride in.

“It’s not just the big stars from sci-fi or the big stars from comics,” Moyes said.

“You also see the best voice actors and gaming, the best in animation.

“Everyone who’s coming, regardless of their fandom, can have one of their heroes to meet.”

This year’s Expo will feature four hobbits making the long trek to Calgary. (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan.)

It’s inviting Captain Kirk to beam on down. (William Shatner.)

And many Goonies will gather for another fantastic adventure. (Sean Astin again, along with Corey Feldman, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Martha Plimpton, Kerri Green.)

You can hang with a protocol droid (Anthony Daniels), learn about life in Smallville (Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Erica Durance) and more.

Across the way, many of your favourite comic book creators will be there, too, to sketch, sign and spill stories.

FanExpoHQ is bringing in artist Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn).

Along with artist-editor Joe Quesada and inker-writer Jimmy Palmiotti (Marvel, Event Comics).

And industry legends, artist Michael Golden, writer Don McGregor and artist Tom Grummett, among others.

“It’s really about that fan experience (and) giving everyone their moment.” Moyes said.

“That’s why these conventions are so successful—because people have that once-in-a-lifetime moment to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Shatner, for the incredible characters you’ve created that have impacted my life in this way.’

“To me, that’s really important.”

But all of that is a lot of moving parts to get and keep in sync.

Or, a lot of stars to align.

Sometimes, set schedules fall apart and availabilities change.

Sometimes, weather does weather things and flights are missed.

Sometimes, life happens and a fan fave will land on the guest list year after year but have yet to actually land in Calgary.

No need to panic, right? Well...

“Lots of very rapid phone calls, lots of favours,” Moyes said.

“It’s where our sense of responsibility to our fans comes in.

“We really want to ensure that we’re finding the best possible scenario to go back with another option for our community.”

Whenever it doesn’t work out with a particular guest, Moyes said, “We hurt just as much.”

Moyes says FanExpo now being a circuit of shows helps.

“Sourcing talent for multiple shows means there are always irons in the fire that we can work and leverage in an emergency,” he said.

And, if nothing else, “You cross your fingers and hope.”

The Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo runs April 23-26 at the BMO Centre.

Guest announcements are still coming.

Full guest lists and more information are available at fanexpohq.com/calgaryexpo.

Tickets are available through that link as well.