FAN EXPO Philadelphiawill feature some high-profile guests at fascinating panels, and these 10 events are the most exciting of the entire convention. FAN EXPO Philadelphia began today, May 16, and brought together some of the most notable names in film, television, animation, comics, video games, and more. Some of themost exciting celebrities at FAN EXPO Philadelphiainclude legendary directors like John Carpenter, famous science fiction actors like Christopher Lloyd and John Boyega, and many of the actors behind the voices of beloved animated characters. It’s a huge event, and it has more than enough panels for all types of fans.
FAN EXPO Philadelphia’s lineup is so jam-packed with notable stars that it’s difficult to parse out which panels to attend. Different panels offer unique access, and there are certain panels that appeal to particular fandoms more than others. Anime fans, for example, can meet members of the cast ofNaruto, whileTwilightfans can meet some of the film’s vampires. Picking out just 10 of FAN EXPO’s various events to consider the best is no easy task, but these panels are definitely worth checking out over the weekend.
10The Doctor Is In: Meet Jodie Whittaker
Friday 6:45 pm in Theater #2 (Room 118ABC)
Doctor Whofans will have a unique opportunity to meet the Thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, at FAN EXPO Philadelphia. Whittaker was the first woman to play the beloved Time Lord, and she did so from 2017 to 2021.Whittaker’s panel at FAN EXPO will see her discuss her time with the iconic sci-fi franchise and the rest of her storied career, as well as “the evolving world of television.“Whittaker has also starred in hit shows likeBroadchurchand movies likeAttack the Block, so her discussion should be very well-informed.
9Being Super With The Cast Of Superman & Lois
Friday 7:45 pm in Main Theater
DC fans will get a chance to meet three of the biggest members of thecast ofSuperman & Lois: Tyler Hoechlin (Superman), Bitsie Tulloch (Lois Lane), and Michael Cudlitz (Lex Luthor).Hosted byScreen Rant’s Joe Deckelmeier, Hoechlin, Tulloch, and Cudlitz will discuss their time withSuperman & Lois, playing legendary comic book characters, and more. SinceSuperman & Loisseason 4’s endingwas the final installment of the show, this panel should be a great opportunity for the cast to look back on their experiences and offer some insights into the series and their characters.
8The Many Faces Of Andy Serkis
Saturday 3:00 pm in Main Theater
Legendary voice actor and motion capture performer Andy Serkis will also have his own panel at FAN EXPO.Hosted by Joe Deckelmeier, Andy Serkis' panel will offer an opportunity for him to talk about the many classic characters - both in CGI and live-action - that he has portrayed through the years. Serkis' filmography is proof enough that the panel will be interesting: he’s portrayed Smeagol and Gollum inThe Lord of the Rings, Alfred inThe Batman, Caesar in thePlanet of the Apesmovies, Snoke inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, Ulysses Klaue in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and many other characters.
7John Cena: Live And Unfiltered
Saturday 4:45 pm in Main Theater
Wrestling, superhero, and action fans will all appreciate John Cena’s panel at FAN EXPO.Cena’s panel at FAN EXPO will see him discuss his wrestling career with the WWE, his switch to acting in Hollywood movies, his tenure as DC Comics' Peacemaker, and much more. The panel also promises to be an “unforgettable, up-close conversation with the fans,” which could mean that Cena will be fielding questions from the audience. Regardless, Cena’s panel at FAN EXPO should be very interesting to a wide variety of attendees.
6Mel Gibson Spotlight
Saturday 6:00 pm in Main Theater
Legendary actor and director Mel Gibson is also hosting a panel at FAN EXPO. Gibson made his mark on Hollywood first as an actor in massive action franchises likeMad Max,Lethal Weapon, andBraveheartbefore transitioning into the director’s chair for films likeThe Passion of the Christand, most recently,Flight Risk.Gibson’s panel at FAN EXPO, hosted by Joe Deckelmeier, should provide him with ample opportunities to reminisce on his long and impressive career both in front of and behind the camera. Even after decades in showbusiness, Gibson almost certainly has new insights to share.
5Big Deal: Meet With John Boyega
Sunday 12:00 pm in Theater #2 (Room 118ABC)
Screen Rant’s Joe Deckelmeier will help introduce FAN EXPO to the actor behind Finn in theStar Warssequel trilogy, John Boyega.Boyega’s panel at FAN EXPO promises to discuss his tenure as the former stormtrooper and eventual Resistance leader as well as his other notable sci-fi films, likeAttack the Block,Pacific Rim: Uprising, andThey Cloned Tyrone. Boyega almost certainly has plenty of stories to share about his journey to becoming a sci-fi icon, and while there’s no guarantee, he may even have hints to share about upcoming projects.
4Inside The Hellaverse With Hazbin Hotel And Helluva Boss
Sunday 12:15 pm in Main Theater
The animation sensation that is the “Hellaverse” -Hazbin HotelandHelluva Boss- will also be represented at FAN EXPO Philadelphia.Alex Brightman (Sir Pentious), Morgana Ignis (Sallie May), Cristina Vee (Verosika Mayday), and Blake Roman (Angel Dust) will discuss theirHellaversecharacters and share behind-the-scenes stories. Their FAN EXPO panel should also provide some unique insights into bothHazbin HotelandHelluva Bossand how they relate to one another.
3OVER 9000! The Dragon Ball Voice Actors Panel
Sunday 1:15 pm in Theater #2 (Room 118ABC)
Anime fans will have a unique opportunity to meet a huge chunk of the main cast ofDragon Ballat FAN EXPO. On Sunday afternoon,the English voice actors behind Trunks (Eric Vale), Whis (Ian Sinclair), Son Gohan (Kyle Hebert), Bulma (Monica Rial), and Krillin (Sonny Strait) will all join together to discuss their iconicDragon Ballcharacters. TheDragon Ballpanel will also be a question-and-answer format, meaning attendees can ask the actors almost anything about their anime characters or what it was like to be part of one of thebest anime series of all time.
2Back to the Future: A Time Traveller’s Reunion
Sunday 2:45 pm in Main Theater
In a rare event, three of the main cast members of the originalBack to the Futurewill reunite at FAN EXPO Philadelphia.Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown, Claudia Wells, who played Jennifer, and James Tolkan, who played Mr. Strickland, will all host a panel together at FAN EXPO. With the 40th anniversary ofBack to the Future, Lloyd, Wells, and Tolkan should have plenty of insights and fond memories of their legendary sci-fi film, and their discussion should prove interesting to anybody who has seen the films.
1Master of Villains: Giancarlo Esposito Unveiled
Sunday 3:45 pm in Theater #2 (Room 118ABC)
The last FAN EXPO panel we’re looking forward to focuses on Giancarlo Esposito, one of the most famous villain actors in modern television, movies, and games. Esposito gained massive fame for portraying Gus Fring onBreaking Bad, and he quickly played antagonists inThe Mandalorian,Captain America: Brave New World,Far Cry 6, and many more shows and movies.Esposito’s panel at FAN EXPO should provide new insights into his history as a villain actor and his rise to worldwide prominence. Esposito may even have comments to make about his non-villainous characters.
While these 10 panels are the most exciting, they’re hardly all that FAN EXPO Philadelphia 2025 has to offer. From interactive booths like a lightsaber training course to cosplay meetups, there’s more than enough for fans to fill out their entire weekends.Star Trekfans, for example, can meet three different captains, whileStar Warsfans can meet C-3P0 himself, Anthony Daniels.FAN EXPOPhiladelphia 2025 has plenty of great opportunities for fans of all genres and media.
