(20 Apr 2014) WONDERCON DRAWS COSTUMED FANS, STARS FROM BANA TO OLDMAN
Tens of thousands of fans and Hollywood types ranging from Gary Oldman to Eric Bana visited Anaheim for WonderCon -- an annual pop culture convention that's like the little brother to the much larger Comic-Con.
Fans wandered the show floor -- many dressed in homemade costumes representing their favorite characters -- and stars presented previews of their upcoming summer movies to eager audiences.
"The Hobbit" actor Richard Armitrage was there promoting his disaster movie "Into the Storm."
"I'm hoping to see some people dressed up as 'Into the Storm' characters. Dressed like you but wet. I think that would be brilliant, wouldn't it? With a hair dryer!" he said.
Andy Serkis was promoting "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes." He reprises his performance capture role as ape Caesar.
"It's amazing here as well. We've just come down in an elevator and saw the most amazing, incredible costumes. Every time I see those guys -- such a wide variety of genres, it's just like wow," Serkis said of the convention.
Many of those visiting the convention were busy with multiple projects, including Keri Russell. She appears in "Planet of the Apes" but also just got news that her FX series "The Americans" was being renewed for a third season.
"They don't tell us anything. I haven't even seen the second season yet. No. You just do it. You have to do the work. I need to though. I'll catch up soon. I'll see it. Don't worry. I'll see it," she said.
And Joel McHale was promoting the horror film "Deliver Us From Evil" but pondering the future of his comedy series "Community," which may be decided based on ratings for the season finale.
"I want it to come back. I think it should come back. I think we performed well enough, I hope. I don't know how it all goes. I'm not an executive. But if it doesn't come back, I have to cut off one of my pinkies. It's just a deal I made with myself. I can't not do it," McHale joked.
Gary Oldman -- a notable pitchman in recent TV ads for a smartphone -- stood up for his product and the ad, which features him saying "blah blah blah."
"It's better than some of the dialogue on commercials, you know," he said.
"Jay Baruchel," promoting his voice role in "How to Train Your Dragon 2," was visiting WonderCon two days after performing at a live read of the script of "The Graduate," playing the part made famous by Dustin Hoffman. He acted alongside Sharon Stone.
"Oh it was epic. It was so cool. It was pretty big shoes to fill. But it was just such a fun evening. To get to play that character. Just to get the chance to read those words was a real treat. And to get to be up there with the people I was up there with -- incredible," Baruchel said.
And "Teen Wolf" star Dylan O'Brien talked up his young-adult targeted movie "The Maze Runner."
"I know 'Divergent' and 'Hunger Games,' it's female lead. And that's awesome. I'm glad to be one of the boys doing it now," he said.
WonderCon was continuing through Sunday. Comic-Con will be late July in San Diego.
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