Raleigh's annual pop culture comic-con, GalaxyCon, is in full swing, bringing cosplay and sci-fi stars to downtown this weekend.
The event, which kicked off Thursday and wraps up Sunday at the Raleigh Convention Center, has developed into a cornerstone event for the city. The convention's yearly presence brings an estimated economic impact of nearly $9 million, which benefits local businesses and the community, event organizers say.
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Along with its flagship event in Raleigh, GalaxyCon has expanded to several cities across the United States, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Savannah and Chicago.
'I want this life': White Lotus star shines on GalaxyCon's main stage
Included in this year's lineup of guests was Jason Isaacs, famous for his portrayal of Lucious Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise and who recently was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance as Duke University alum Timothy Ratliff on the hit HBO series "The White Lotus."
Isaacs sat for a Q&A panel on Saturday on the main stage of the Raleigh Convention Center. Isaacs said he's always been a fan of comic books and Sci-Fi, with his roots dating back to his childhood.
"Every Sunday, my father would drive me to a fish and chips shop. And next door, while they were cooking them, there was a sweets shop and the had a boxes of second-hand DC and Marvel comics," Isaacs said. "So every week we would sit and read comics while I was eating."
Isaacs told the crowd that he never read the origins of the comics, and that sometimes he would make his own origins for the characters he read about on those Sundays.
"I remember reading these comics out of order. So in my head, Daredevil was blind and used his main weapons for echolocation," Isaacs said. "I got two sticks, I went around and destroyed [my home]...I just remember thinking, 'I want this life.'"
Isaacs got his panel started with a fan gifting him a Duke University t-shirt, similar to the one Ratliff wore during one infamous scene from the third season, where Ratliff, while wearing the Duke University shirt, contemplated killing his entire family in a dream sequence as he faced embezzlement charges.
Frank Tramble, the vice president for communications, marketing and public affairs at Duke, said in an email that the university did not approve of the use of its “marks” in the program.
“Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling,” Tramble said, “but characters’ prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists.” Tramble said
Isaacs, at the panel, defended the use of the shirt, saying the University should be more concerned about other alum than a fictional one.
When it came to playing the role that got him his Emmy nomination, Isaacs said he got a lot of flack from people in Durham on Ratliff's accent, but he said it had a purpose to it.
"I was trying to be a particular guy in Durham, I think I was doing him particularly well," Isaacs said.
Isaacs told the crowd he tried to sound like a specific to a person he met in Durham, who he said had taken a bullet to the jaw, adding he was trying to be specific to his regional accent from the South.
"One of the things my friends from the south hate is when actors do a general southern accent, which doesn't exist. Arkansas is not Texas, is not Florida, is not Kentucky," Isaacs said.
Isaacs, who also filmed The Patriot in South Carolina, said Ratliff's favorite food would likely be "proper pit barbecue," even the actor who portrayed him is vegan now.
TV & movie stars, voice actors and more taking downtown Raleigh by storm
Making his return to GalaxyCon is another star with North Carolina ties: Grant Gustin. The former Elon University student is most famous for his portrayal of Barry Allen/The Flash in the hit CW series "The Flash."
Organizers say they and celebrities love coming to the convention in Raleigh, adding that it's easy to book talent because celebrities know "they'll be welcomed by amazing fans, enjoy fantastic, local restaurants and explore rich cultural attractions."
Aside from Isaacs and Gustin, numerous stars from various television and film properties are at the event, including:
- Ben Schwartz, who voices Sonic the Hedgehog in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise, and who portrayed Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the hit NBC series "Parks and Recreation."
- William Shatner, famous for his portrayal as Cpt. James T. Kirk in multiple “Star Trek” shows and movies.
- Susan Sarandon, famous for her portrayal of Janet Weiss in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and Louis in "Thelma & Louise."
- Geena Davis, famous for her roles as Barbara Maitland in "Beetlejuice," Thelma Dickinson in "Thelma & Louise" and Dorothy "Dottie" Hinson in "A League of Their Own."
- Giancarlo Esposito, famous for his performances as Gus Fring in the critically acclaimed shows "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," Stan Edgar in the popular Amazon show "The Boys," which just finished production on its final season, and as Moff Gideon in the hit Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian."
- Andy Serkis, known for his motion capture roles of Gollum/Sméagol in "The Lord of The Rings" movie franchise and Caesar in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" and "War for the Planet of the Apes." Serkis has also portrayed Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and Ulysses Klaue in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Black Panther."
- Tyler Hoechlin, famous for his portrayal as Clark Kent/Superman in CW series "Superman and Lois" and various Arrowverse shows on the CW.
- Wayne Knight, famous for his portrayals of Newman, Jerry Seinfeld's nemesis in "Seinfeld," Dennis Nedry in "Jurassic Park" and Stan Podolak in "Space Jam."
- The cast of "Beverly Hills, 90210":
- Gabrielle Carteris
- Jennie Garth
- Ian Ziering
- Brian Austin Green
- Tori Spelling
- Gabrielle Carteris
Film and television actors won't be the only ones shining bright at the event. Voice actors will be around for photo ops and autograph signings at the event.
- Erika Henningsen, famous for her role as Charlie Morningstar in the "Hazben Hotel" series and her performance in Broadway's "Mean Girls."
- John DiMaggio, best known for his roles as Bender in "Futurama," Jake the Dog in "Adventure Time," Marcus Fenix in the "Gears of War" video game franchise and Dr. Drakken in "Kim Possible."
- Dana Snyder, best known as his role of Master Shake in "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey, famous for her roles as Miles "Tales" Prower in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" movies and television shows and Ino Yamanaka in Naruto.
- Steve Downes, famous for his role as Master Chief John-117 in the "Halo" franchise.
- Jen Taylor, famous for her roles as Cortana in the Halo franchise and was the voice of Princess Peach and Toad in the "Mario" franchise between 1999 and 2007.
- Roger L. Jackson, best known as the voice of Ghostface in the "Scream" franchise and "Mojo Jojo" in "The Powerpuff Girls."
- Patricia Summersett, best known for her role as Princess Zelda in "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" and "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity."
- Nolan North, best known as the voice of Nathan Drake in the "Uncharted" video game series, Superboy/Connor Kent in "Young Justice" and the Marvel antihero Deadpool in various video games.
There will also be plenty of comic book authors, cosplayers and current and former wrestlers. You can find the full guest list here.
Note that many celebrity guests charge for autographs and photos. One of the major features is you can get a tattoo with a celebrity while you are at the convention. Pricing can be found here, and fan packages can be purchase in advance online.
Comic book and Sci-Fi fans enjoy free celebration at first-ever Street Fest
While tens of thousands were inside the Raleigh Convention Center on Saturday for GalaxyCon, others braved intense heat and donned costumes on Fayetteville Street for the event's first ever Street Fest.
New to the convention this year will be Street Fest. The free event, which is sponsored by WRAL News, kicked off Saturday on Fayetteville Street, featuring music, cosplay wrestling, food trucks, celebrity autograph opportunities and a fudge eating contest.
Organizers call Street Fest the next evolution of the fandom festival, which visitors like Jake Fogg say is crucial to growing the event.
"It just adds to the crowds each year and see it grow," Fogg said.
"Sometimes what stops people from coming and experiencing it is the money," said GalaxyCon attendee Samantha Gill. "Because this is free to everyone, it's like a taste tester before you go the actual convention,"
For Gill, who dressed as Marvel character Loki, GalaxyCon's Street Fest was another opportunity to experience the event in a new way with her family.
"I get to see different people and make new friends. We both share fandom interests so we get to do events together," said Gill.
Here is the schedule for Street Fest:
Saturday, July 26
- 10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Galaxy Groove with DJ Washburn
- Noon - 12:30 p.m. - GalaxyCon Pet Pawsplay Contest
- 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Copper Coast Fudge Eating Contest
- 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Are You In? (Incubus tribute band)
- 3 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - FSCW Saturday
- 5:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. - Foundit! (pop punk band)
- 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. - Toxic (2000s hard rock/metal band)
- 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. - GEW
Sunday, July 26
- 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Galaxy Groove with DJ Washburn
- Noon - 1 p.m.: Hawthorne and Holly (Nerdy pop punk band)
- 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Behind the Wheel (hard rock)
- 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Noise complaint Pr
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Creative, costly cosplay on display at GalaxyCon Raleigh as industry continues to grow
GalaxyCon & 'Animate!' staying in Raleigh through 2031
The New York Times and WRAL reporter Flynn Snyder contributed to this report