Middle East Film and Comic Con 2024: Celebrity guests and line-up for Abu Dhabi event

With Middle East Film and Comic Con’s return to Abu Dhabi only weeks away, celebrity guest announcements continue to grow.

From Harry Potter’s most famous twins to a voice actor from The Last of Us, those visiting will be able to meet some of the biggest names from pop culture.

Here is a list of who’s confirmed to attend the three-day event, which begins on February 9.

James and Oliver Phelps

James and Oliver Phelps portrayed the Weasley brothers in eight Harry Potter films. Getty Images

Famous for portraying the twins Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, the two actors delivered funny, and often touching, performances as the mischievous wizards.

The brothers skipped school to audition. And, at the sixth attempt, they landed the roles, going on to become fan favourites in the franchise.

Since the end of Harry Potter, the two have taken part in charity events, podcasts, TV shows and films such as Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho.

Troy Baker

Troy Baker is best known for his voice in video games. AFP

The prolific voice actor best known for his work in video games and anime series, is set to appear at the convention. His most memorable roles are as Joel Miller in The Last of Us games, Frank Archer in the anime Fullmetal Alchemist and The Joker in the Batman: Arkham games.

Baker also voiced the character of Nathan Drake in the beloved Uncharted game series, a performance that won him a Bafta Games Award nomination 2016.

Temuera Morrison

Kiwi actor Temuera Morrison. AFP

The Kiwi actor and star of the Star Wars show The Book of Boba Fett will also be coming to the capital. The actor first appeared in the franchise as Jango Fett, Boba’s father, in Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

He was also in Once Were Warriors, a leading film in Maori cinema, and played Tom Curry, Aquaman’s father, in the DC franchise.

Inaki Godoy

Inaki Godoy is best known for his role as Monkey D Luffy in One Piece. Photo: Netflix

Bursting on the scene with last year’s live-action Netflix adaption of the anime One Piece, Godoy impressed fans with his faithful portrayal of the lead character Monkey D Luffy.

The actor, 20, from Mexico, also appears in TV shows The Imperfects and Who Killed Sara?

Frank Welker

Frank Welker at this month’s Fan Expo in New Orleans. Getty Images

Modern audiences may know him best as the voice of Megatron in the Transformers franchise, but Welker has been voicing memorable characters since 1969. His first major role was as Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo cartoon.

Since then, Welker has lent his voice to many characters across a multitude of television shows and films. These include Futurama, Aladdin and Dexter’s Laboratory.

Peter Cullen

Peter Cullen received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children and Family Emmy Awards last month. AFP

Accompanying the voice of Megatron will be the voice of Optimus Prime. Cullen, who has been working since the 1960s, has delivered memorable roles such as Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh cartoons.

He has also been the voice of many trailers for films and television shows.

Other stars not to miss

The convention will also feature several comic book artists including Stephen Segovia, Mark Brooks, Carlo Pagulayan, Steve McNiven and Mikel Janin. Fans will have the opportunity to meet them, share a photograph and have something signed.

This year’s convention will feature a Japanese Village for the first time. The area will allow visitors to explore areas set up to convey a traditional Japanese experience.

Visitors can also tour the Artist Alley, which will give local and regional artists a chance to sell their artwork.

Middle East Film and Comic Con will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from February 9; tickets can be purchased at www.mefcc.com

Middle East Film and Comic Con 2023 is under way in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

The event runs for three days and celebrates all things pop culture

Spider-Man cosplay

Friends cosplay as zombies

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, at MEFCC

Friends Maryam, Samia and Edith cosplay as Power, Angel and Childe from Genshin Impact

Saig Ali at the Dragonball-Z series display

A cosplayer

Friends Falah, Sultan, Hamdan and Zayed around the shopping stalls

Swords were a popular choice for shoppers

Artworks created by Shaheen Alhadad from Crimson Star

Artist Soul of Crimson Star at Mefcc

Artist Shaheen Alhadad of Crimson Star

The shopping and gaming area

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi have a stand at MEFCC with charcters Tom and Jerry making an appearance

Ghost gamer cosplay

Anthony Daniels, the English actor best known for playing C-3PO in the Star Wars films, at the event

Cartoon artist Hessa Butaweel at her stand in the Artist Alley

Ruqaya Alsalem as a Pink Power Ranger with The Joker

Kaliste Rodi as Princess Leia, left, and Eva Sereda, right, as a Stormtrooper from Star Wars

Wafa Obeid as Maleficent

Harley Quinn cosplayer

Gavin Mansour and Merve Arslan with limited-edition Funko figures

Emirati artist Abdulla Aljneibi

Limited-edition Funko dolls on sale

Stormtrooper cosplayers

Tony Santiago with some of his artwork

Diana, left, dressed as Arlecchino and Nona, right, as Columbina. Both are characters from Genshin Impact

Gaming is popular at MEFCC

Jalil Bekkairov, left, as Obi Wan Kenobi and Assal Bekkairova, right, as a Jedi

Emirati artists Mahra and Khulood Khalil

Funko collector Emad Al Zankawi

Alia Almansouri with Harley Quinn