Fan Expo Canada 2026 is just around the corner, and this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the biggest in the convention’s 30-year history. The four-day pop culture celebration runs from August 27 to 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Organizers expect over 130,000 fans to attend the event, which is the third-largest pop culture convention in North America.
ScreenRant is returning as a media partner for the 2026 convention and will moderate six celebrity panels throughout the weekend. The lineup includes two standout sessions featuring Mel Gibson and Oded Fehr, along with panels for anime fans, music lovers, and more.
ScreenRant Moderates Six Panels at Fan Expo Canada 2026
ScreenRant host Liam Crowley will lead the discussions across multiple rooms and stages at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The panels cover a wide range of pop culture interests, from anime and music to action films and fantasy franchises.
The full panel schedule includes sessions on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each panel offers fans a chance to hear directly from actors and creators about their most famous roles and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Thursday, August 27: Attack on Titan Q&A with Trina Nishimura
The convention kicks off on Thursday with a panel for anime fans. Trina Nishimura, who voices Mikasa Ackerman in the hit anime series Attack on Titan, will take the stage at 8:00 PM in Room 206.
The panel will discuss the lasting legacy of the anime that took the world by storm in 2013 and completed its four-season run over a decade. Fans of the series can expect insights into the making of the show and Nishimura’s experience bringing one of anime’s most beloved characters to life.
Friday, August 28: Ji-Young Yoo and Bruce Dickinson Take the Stage
Friday features two panels moderated by ScreenRant. The first is “Breakthroughs in Motion: Q&A with Ji-Young Yoo” at 12:00 PM in Room 206. Yoo, a rising actress and voice artist, will discuss crafting layered characters and navigating the changing landscape of modern storytelling.
Later in the day, Bruce Dickinson, the legendary frontman of Iron Maiden, will appear for “Engines, Encores, and Enterprise with Bruce Dickinson” at 4:00 PM in Room 206. Dickinson, who is also a commercial airline pilot, author, and entrepreneur, will talk about vocal power, performance longevity, and leadership lessons from both the flight deck and the festival stage.
Saturday, August 29: Mel Gibson Shares Stories from a Legendary Career
Saturday brings one of the most talked-about panels of the weekend. Mel Gibson will appear for “From Braveheart to Mad Max: A Q&A with Mel Gibson” at 12:15 PM on the Constitution Hall Main Stage.
Gibson, the Oscar-winning actor and director, is known for iconic roles in Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, and Mad Max. The panel promises to explore his career spanning epic adventures, acclaimed dramas, and blockbuster hits. Attendees can expect stories about the experiences, challenges, and memorable moments behind some of his most recognizable work.
Gibson is scheduled to attend the convention on Saturday, August 29. Fans can also book photo opportunities and autograph sessions with him. Prices for autographs and photo ops start at $275 for standard options and go up to $325 for premium autographs.
Controversy Surrounding Gibson’s Appearance
Gibson’s invitation to Fan Expo Canada has generated significant backlash online. When the convention announced his appearance on X (formerly Twitter) in April 2026, many fans expressed disappointment and anger.
The convention’s announcement post read: “He’s led revolutions, ruled the wasteland, and set the bar for epic storytelling. Mel Gibson’s roles in Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, & Mad Max are more than iconic—they’re legendary. Meet this cinematic hero when he comes to Toronto this August”.
Criticism has focused on Gibson’s past controversies, including anti-Semitic remarks during a 2006 drunk-driving arrest, racist and sexist language on leaked recordings involving a former girlfriend, and a misdemeanor battery case. More recently, Gibson was named one of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “special ambassadors” to Hollywood.
One X user called the booking “really questionable” and asked Fan Expo whether it had “any comment for your attendees who are opposed to hate speech”. Another wrote: “My family was thinking of attending this year, but not anymore”.
On a Toronto Reddit thread, criticism was even sharper. One user wrote: “Besides his antisemitism and other crap, he is also on board Trumps Hollywood tariff train”. Another Redditor commented: “Not to shock the Expo organizers, but fandoms are fairly rife with non-whites and people of different sexual orientations; and God forbid (literally) women who work”.
Despite the controversy, Gibson remains on the guest list. Fan Expo Canada 2026 will also feature a wide range of other celebrities, giving attendees plenty of options if they choose not to attend Gibson’s panel.
Oded Fehr Brings The Mummy Magic to Toronto
Later on Saturday, Oded Fehr will take the stage for “The Mummy with Oded Fehr” at 2:00 PM in Room 714. Fehr, who played the dashing Ardeth Bay in The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001), will share behind-the-scenes stories from the beloved action films.
The panel will explore what it was like working with the cast and bringing the Medjai warrior to the screen. Fehr will also celebrate the enduring legacy of the blockbuster franchise that continues to attract new fans worldwide.
Fehr is an Israeli actor based in the United States. Beyond The Mummy franchise, he is also known for playing Carlos Olivera in the Resident Evil films and Fleet Admiral Vance on Star Trek: Discovery. He has been making appearances at fan conventions across North America, including recent reunions with The Mummy cast members at Fan Expo Denver and other events.
Sunday, August 30: Erin Moriarty Closes Out the Weekend
The final ScreenRant-moderated panel takes place on Sunday. Erin Moriarty, known for her roles in The Boys and True Detective, will appear for “Beyond Starlight: Craft, Resilience, and Reinvention with Erin Moriarty” at 11:00 AM in Room 206.
Moriarty will discuss navigating the complexities of Hollywood while staying true to her artistic vision. The panel offers fans a chance to hear from one of television’s most compelling young actors.
Star-Studded Guest List at Fan Expo Canada 2026
Other than the ScreenRant panels, Fan Expo Canada 2026 features an impressive lineup of celebrity guests. The guest list includes:
- John Cena (Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad)
- Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings)
- Alan Ritchson (Reacher)
- Mark Hamill (Star Wars)
- Mr. T (Rocky III, The A-Team)
- Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies)
- Dean Norris (Breaking Bad)
- Christopher Lambert (Highlander)
The convention also features special ticketed events, including “An Evening With The Hobbits” celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings, with cast members Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan. A “Second Breakfast” event offers fans a hobbit-themed dining experience.
Related:
What Else to Expect at Fan Expo Canada 2026
Fan Expo Canada is more than just celebrity panels. The convention features over 1,000 exhibitors, a massive retail floor with exclusive collectibles, Artist Alley, cosplay meetups, D&D games, live podcast recordings, and a dedicated area for kids and families.
The event runs Thursday from 4 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Tickets are available through the official Fan Expo Canada website.
Fan Expo Canada 2026 marks the convention’s 30th anniversary, making it a milestone year for Canada’s largest pop culture event. With four days of panels, meet-and-greets, and fan experiences, the convention promises something for every type of pop culture enthusiast.
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