Icons, Cosplay & Culture: FAN EXPO 2026

Toronto was taken over by fandom this weekend as FAN EXPO Canada celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 27–30.

For four days, thousands of fans stepped into a world filled with Hollywood stars, legendary characters, comic creators, gaming icons, anime, cosplay, collectibles and plenty of nostalgia. And this year’s guest list was anything but ordinary. Leading the celebrity lineup was Mark Hamill, bringing Star Wars history to the convention, alongside major names including John Cena, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Alan Ritchson, Mr. T, Sean Astin and John Rhys-Davies

Lord of The Rings: REUNION

One of the biggest highlights was the 25th anniversary celebration of The Lord of the Rings. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan reunited for fans, with John Rhys-Davies also joining the celebration. The weekend even included Second Breakfast, giving fans a chance to celebrate the beloved world of Middle-earth in true Hobbit fashion. For anyone who grew up watching The Lord of the Rings, seeing the cast together again was more than a celebrity appearance. It was a trip back in time.

FAN EXPO wasn’t just about movies and television. Gaming was a major part of the weekend, with appearances from some of the industry’s most recognizable voices, including Christopher Judge of God of War, Steve Downes and Jen Taylor of Halo, Roger Clark of Red Dead Redemption II, Michael Ironside of Splinter Cell and performers from games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. For gamers, it was an opportunity to meet the voices behind characters they have spent countless hours playing.

Of course, it wouldn’t be FAN EXPO without Star Wars. From panels and collectibles to cosplay and photo opportunities, the franchise was impossible to miss. Fans could hear from performers connected to The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, while the Star Wars Cosplay March brought together members of some of the franchise’s most dedicated fan organizations. And with Mark Hamill in attendance, the Force was with Toronto this year.

The Moment Everyone Is Talking About: Mel Gibson

At his 2026 Fan Expo Toronto panel, Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson reflected on his extraordinary decades-long career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from iconic films including Mad Max, Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, and Apocalypto, while also offering a rare glimpse into his highly anticipated upcoming project, The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.

Gibson recalled how he unexpectedly landed the role of Max after arriving at an audition with a badly injured face, and explained how the shoestring-budget production taught him that compelling storytelling, creativity, and heart matter more than money. He discussed how working with director George Miller on Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior influenced his understanding of editing and filmmaking and ultimately inspired him to become a director himself. Reflecting on Braveheart, he emphasized the power of practical filmmaking, real performers and environments, and knowing when to exercise restraint, recalling how removing 28 minutes from the original cut ultimately strengthened the film.  The most revealing portion of the panel focused on The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection, which Gibson confirmed is being developed as two films rather than one. He explained that the story is so vast and difficult to comprehend that he and  Randall Wallace and another writer spent approximately 10 years developing the screenplay, using imaginative storytelling and historical associations while remaining faithful to the truth and essence of the biblical narrative. Gibson described the production as significantly larger in scale than the original Passion, with elaborate sets recreating AD 30 Jerusalem, along with parts of Damascus, Egypt and Rome. Many members of the original creative team returned, and Gibson revealed that the two films were shot in just 135 days, an exceptionally demanding schedule for such an ambitious production. He is currently completing the editing and post-production work in Toronto and teased that the film “isn’t what anyone expects,” while stressing that it does not deviate from the core truth of the story. The first installment is currently expected to arrive in theaters in May 2027,

Ultimately, FAN EXPO Canada 2026 was about much more than celebrity appearances. It was about nostalgia, discovering new artists, meeting the voices behind beloved characters, dressing up, taking photographs, buying collectibles and standing in line for the chance to meet someone whose work has meant something to fans. And perhaps that’s what makes FAN EXPO so special.