Back to the Future’ 40th Anniversary Q&A, ‘Smallville Nights,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Local Sessions & more
NEW ORLEANS – From the biggest “Back to the Future” reunion ever featuring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson and Huey Lewis, accompanying “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance and multiple BTTF-themed events, to celebrity Q&As, industry, cosplay, gaming, anime and entertaining, informative sessions from all areas of pop culture, the event has unveiled its lineup of more than 150 programming panel, screenings and meetups, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 10-12, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
FAN EXPO New Orleans programming operates multiple rooms throughout all three days during show hours and into the evenings. In addition to sessions with stars like Andy Serkis (“Lord of the Rings,” “Planet of the Apes”), Zachary Levi (“Shazam”), “Supermen” Dean Cain, Brandon Routh, “Smallville” standouts Michael Rosenbaum, Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Erica Durance and Laura Vandervoort and many others, there are dozens of informative, entertaining panels by superstar creators as well as cosplay, gaming, trivia, film, horror, podcasts, screenings and other pop culture themed sessions, many conducted by New Orleans-based organizations.
And programming extends beyond the panel rooms, with the Creators Stage featuring artists and writers discussing their crafts, as well as the Community Zone highlighting the best in local organizations, charities and interactive content.
Fans can review the entire event schedule at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/schedule/. Most panels are free with event admission. Just a few of the highlights include:
Friday:
- 1 p.m., Nightmare New Orleans, Room 393 (daily throughout the sessions)
- 2:45 p.m., Radical Accessibility: The Case for Making Inclusive Events for Everyone, Theater #3/Room 291
- 4 p.m., Inside Hollywood South: Behind the Scenes of New Orleans’ Movies and TV Shows, Fan Panel Room A/Room 286
- 5:30 p.m., The One Piece is Real! Q&A with Luci Christian (“Nami”), Sonny Strait (“Usopp”) and Kyle Phillips (“Marco the Phoenix”), Theater #4/Room 386
- 6:45 p.m., Behind the Scenes of Grimm: A Conversation with Bitsie Tulloch & David Giuntoli, Theater #3/Room 291
- 6:45 p.m., Perceptions of the Macabre: An Exploration of Fans Fascination with Horror, True Crime and Violence, Fandom Theater/Room 297
- 7 p.m., the biggest Back to the Future reunion ever featuring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson and Huey Lewis, celebrating its 40th anniversary, Main Theater
- 8 p.m., Anime Soiree/Dimensional Dance Party, Howlin’ Wolf (907 St. Peter’s St.)
Saturday:
- 10:45 a.m., I am C-3PO: Meet Anthony Daniels, Main Theater
- 11 a.m., Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos: Playful Pets, Kids’ Zone/Room 283
- 11:45 a.m., The Cullens Unveiled: Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone and Kellan Lutz Reflect on Twilight, Main Theater
- 12:45 p.m., Man of Steel and Women of Strength: Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch in Conversation, Main Theater
- 1 p.m., I am no Jedi! Standing Strong and Standing Together with Ashley Eckstein, Theater #2/Room 293
- 1:15 p.m., Romantasy Readers Meetup, Book Nook/Room 397
- 1:45 p.m., Execute! A Conversation with William Shatner, Main Theater
- 3 p.m., From Executive Producers Dwayne Johnson, Brian Volk-Weiss and Dany Garcia – Roboforce: The Animated Series Sneak Peek, Theater #2/Room 293
- 3:45 p.m., Zachary Levi: Heroes, Laughter and Beyond, Main Theater
- 4 p.m., Meet Miyamura! Horimiya Q&A with Alejandro Saab, Theater #4/Room 386
- 4:15 p.m., Writing the DC Multiverse with creators Mark Russell (Batman: Dark Age), Jeremy Adams (Aquaman, Green Lantern), Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons) and Kami Garcia (Teen Titans, Joker/Harley), Theater #3/Room 291
- 5:45 p.m., Heather Locklear: A Hollywood Icon’s Journey through Television and Film, Main Theater
- 6 p.m., Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup
- 6:30 p.m., Murder Mystery Show: A Dance with Death, Fandom Theater, Room #297
- 6:30 p.m., Drink and Draw with Emmy-award winning creator Joe Wos, Panel Room A
- 7:30 p.m., “Smallville Nights” with Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum*
- 8 p.m., “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance, Theater #2/Room 293
- 8:30 p.m., Rocky Horror Picture Show by Sweet Sensation Shadowcast, Fandom Theater, Room #297*
Sunday:
- 10:45 a.m., The Many Faces of Superman: A Tribute to the Man of Steel with Brandon Routh, Tim Daly, George Newbern and Dean Cain, Main Theater
- 11:45 a.m., The Art of Performance: Andy Serkis and the Magic of Motion Capture, Main Theater
- Noon, Shameik Moore: From Screen to Game – A Journey through Gaming and Voice Acting, Theater #2/Room 293
- 1 p.m., From “The Good Place” to “New Horizons,” meet Manny Jacinto, Theater #2/Room 293
- 2 p.m., Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Screening, Fandom Theater/Room 297
- 2:45 p.m., Long Live Los Pollos Hermanos with Giancarlo Esposito, Main Theater
- 3 p.m., Voices of Gaming: Kellen Goff and Grey Delisle Bring Characters to Life, Theater #2/Room 293
- 3:45 p.m, The Heart of Smallville: Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Erica Durance, and Laura Vandervoort Reflect on their Legendary Roles
- 4 p.m., Is Streaming Giving Us the Golden Age of Fantasy? Or Does The 80s Film Scene Still Shine Brighter?, Fan Panel Room A/Room 286
*ticketed event requires additional admission
FAN EXPO New Orleans features the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors, cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom.
New Orleans is the first event on the 2025 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.
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