Wizard World Chicago: 7 Celebs You Need To Meet This Weekend

ROSEMONT, IL — Officially, summer isn't over until Sept. 22, although most people look to the Labor Day holiday as the unofficial end of the season. But an event this weekend might be the best way to close out August if you're a fan of comics, cosplay and certain celebrities.

Wizard World Chicago is a four-day pop culture showcase that features a variety of panels, vendors and famous guests. This year's event — which runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Donald E. Stephen Convention Center in Rosemont — includes speed dating sessions, an improv comedy demonstration by Second City and costume contests for kids and adults. Famous film and movie vehicles also will be on display, including the Batmobile from the 1966 "Batman" TV series, Ecto-1 from "Ghostbusters," Speed Racer's Mach 5, the AMC Pacer from "Wayne's World" and a dune buggy and motorcycle from "Megaforce." (What? You don't remember Hal Needham's "Megaforce" from 1982? With its inspiring tagline, "Deeds not words?" You lead an empty existence.)

But Wizard World's big draw is the star power organizers have rounded up for the event. Actors, wrestlers and other celebrities will be on hand throughout the convention, participating in panels, signing autographs and posing for photos. Although the panels are included with the price of admission, autographs and photos cost extra and, in most cases, can be purchased online ahead of the show. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Patch looks at the seven Wizard World guests fans should definitely make time to see, whether it's during a Q&A or up close for an autograph or photo session.

1. Cobie Smulders

Why to see her: Smulders made a name for herself as Robin Sherbatzky on “How I Met Your Mother," and fans of the Marvel Studio films know her as SHIELD agent Maria Hill. She's also starred in "Unexpected" by Chicago filmmaker Kris Swanberg.

When to see her: A Q&A with Smulders will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. She also will be signing autographs ($50) and posing for photos, including group shots with Paul Bettany — Vision in "The Avengers" — and Elizabeth Henstridge — Agent Simmons on "Agents of SHIELD" ($75-$175). An "Agents of SHIELD" VIP package ($349) also is available, and that features admission to the event, reserved seating for the show panel, swag and other specials.

2. Danny Trejo

Why to see him: Trejo's tough guy looks has helped earn him roles as the heavy in such films as "Heat," "Con Air" and "The Replacement Killers." He's also a favorite of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who has cast him in "Desperado," "Once Upon a Time in America" and the director's "Spy Kids" movies. Rodriguez even built the "Machete" film series around Trejo after the two created a faux-trailer about the titular character for "Grindhouse." Recently, Trejo lent his voice to a bizarre — and absolutely hilarious — episode of "Rick and Morty."

When to see him: He'll participate in a Q&A at 1 p.m. Sunday. He'll also be signing autographs ($50) and posing for photos ($60) Saturday and Sunday.

3. Caleb McLaughlin

Why to see him: What could top playing Young Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway for a kid actor? How about starring in the surprise Netflix hit "Stranger Things?" That's been McLaughlin career trajectory, as he and the rest of the creepy series' ensemble cast have become pop culture favorites.

When to see him: McLaughlin will be part of a Q&A at 3 p.m. Saturday. He'll also be signing autographs ($40 and $60) and posing for photos ($55) Saturday and Sunday.

4. David Tennant

Why to see him: Being a part of one pop culture franchise used to be enough for an actor. But Tennant has been lucky enough to not only land the role as the 10th Doctor in the "Doctor Who" series, but he also turned in a nasty performance as the vile, mind-controlling Kilgrave in the first season of the Marvel Netflix series "Jessica Jones." All that, and he's still had time to appear in a "Harry Potter" film and was recently tapped to be the voice of Scrooge McDuck in the "DuckTales" reboot.

When to see him: Tennant will be part of a Q&A panel at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Autograph and solo photo op sessions are sold out, but Tennant will be available for group photos ops with fellow "Doctor Who" vets Alex Kingston, Catherine Tate, Jenna Coleman and John Barrowman ($155-$495). "Doctor Who" ($575) and David Tennant VIP packages ($475) also are available, and that includes admission to the event, special seating during the panel and show swag.

5. Gene Simmons

Why to see him: As a member of Kiss, Simmons was dressing up like a comic book character before it was the thing to do. He's might've moved from the stage to the board room as a business man, but he still enjoys staying in the spotlight. Even if it's only to create the on-air awkwardness of this infamous "Fresh Air" interview with Terry Gross. (Read the transcript if you're not up to listening to the audio.)

When to see him: He'll be holding a Q&A at 1 p.m. Saturday. He'll be signing autographs ($120) and posing for photos ($120) Saturday and Sunday. A VIP package ($374.99) is available that includes admission to the event and other specials. Simmons also will be performing a concert Saturday at Park West Theater, 322 W Armitage Ave., Chicago. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $38-$299 and can be purchased at the venue's website.

6. John Cusack

Why to see him: Most film-goers know the critically acclaimed actor for his roles in "Say Anything," "The Grifters," "Better Off Dead," "High Fidelity," "Being John Malkovich" and "Grosse Pointe Blank." But if you've lived in Chicago long enough, you've probably run into Cusack at a North Side watering hole or seen him in the stands at a Cubs game.

When to see him: Cusack will participate in a Q&A session at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. He'll be signing autographs (no presales available; cash-only purchases at the booth) and posing for photos ($95) Saturday and Sunday. A VIP package ($249) also is available that includes admission to the event and other specials.

7. Kevin Conroy

Why to see him: You probably won't recognize Conroy's face, but for a certain generation of cartoon fans, he's the Batman. Conroy has been the voice of the Dark Knight in numerous animated shows and movies since "Batman: The Animated Series" debuted in the mid-1990s.

When to see him: He'll be attending a Q&A session at 2 p.m. Saturday. He'll also sign autographs Friday through Sunday.

Go to Wizard World Chicago's website for a complete list of guests and attractions.

Wizard World Chicago 2017

• When: 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24; noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
• Where: Donald E. Stephen Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont
• Cost: Single-day general admission ranges from $40 to $60. Four-day admission is $94.95. Special VIP packages also are available. Tickets can be purchased at the event's website.
• More Info: Go to Wizard World's website for convention details and a schedule of events.

Cobie Smulders (left), John Cusack and David Tennant. (Smulders photo by Charles Sykes | Invision | Associated Press; Cusack photo by Michael Buckner | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images for SXSW; Tennant photo by Chris Pizzello | Invision | Associated Press)

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