Question-and-answer sessions featuring “The Vampire Diaries” stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Welsey, Tom Felton (Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Brett Dalton (“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Evan Peters (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Karl Urban (Star Trek, Bourne Supremacy) and top artists, costume contests and the popular “Sci-Fi Speed Dating” highlight the diverse programming schedule at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, Friday through Sunday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission.Some of the highlights of the more than 75 scheduled panels are:
· Interactive Q&A sessions with Felton (Saturday, 1 p.m.), Peters (Saturday, 5 p.m.), Dalton (Saturday, 1 p.m.), Urban (Saturday, 2 p.m.), WWE® Divas The Bella Twins™ (Saturday, 6 p.m.), Caity Lotz (Sunday, noon), Karyn Parsons (Sunday, 1 p.m.) and more
Group Q&As featuring Somerhalder and Wesley (Saturday, noon), the Guardians of the Galaxy tandem of Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn (Saturday, 4 p.m.) , the “Charmed” trio of Holly Marie Combs, Shannen Doherty and Brian Krause (Sunday, 2 p.m.) and “The Walking Dead” stars Sarah Wayne Callies, Scott Wilson and Andrew J. West (Saturday, 3 p.m.)
· Informative discussions with noted creators Phil Ortiz (Friday, 4:30 p.m.), Michael Golden (Saturday, noon), Mark Bagley (Friday, 6:30 p.m.), Kody Chamberlain (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.), Tom Cook (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.), Jai Nitz (Sunday, 11:30 a.m) and others, many moderated by Danny Fingeroth
· “Last Fan Standing”, a fan-oriented game show starring the one and only Bruce Campbell (three shows, 11 a.m., 4:15 p.m. Saturday; noon Sunday; additional ticket required)
· World Of Warcraft Composer Jason Hayes Presents: Behind The Music With “Critical Hit” (Saturday, 2 p.m.)
· Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Fri., 5 p.m.; Sat., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.), 90-minute sessions
· Costume contests for adults (Saturday, 7 p.m., La Nouevelle Ballroom) and kids (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.), plus cosplay-themed sessions with Wizard World personality Damian Beurer, cosplay superstars Riki “Riddle” LeCotey and Kristen Hughey and others
· Creator Pro-Am Drink & Draw (Friday, 8:30 p.m., location TBD) and Official Wizard World After Party brought to you by Lucy from Universal Home Entertainment (Saturday, 9 p.m., Masquerade Nightclub at Harrah's New Orleans 228 Poydras St. free with Wizard World wristband)
Meet-and-greets with Jason David Frank (Saturday, 11 a.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.) (additional ticket required)
Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted. (*Note: Frank Meet & Greets, “Last Fan Standing” tapings require a separate ticket.)
A full list of Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con programming is available at http://wizd.me/PRProgrammingNewOrleans (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change).
Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con is the first of 24 events currently scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD). For more on the event, visit http://wizd.me/NewOrleansPR.