Tampa Bay Comic Convention kicks off with full lineup despite SAG-AFTRA strike

Tampa Comic Con fans concerned about actor strike

Ariel Plasencia reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, the 2023 Tampa Bay Comic Convention is expected to bring 12,000 attendees and will feature exhibitors catering to a variety of interests.

"I don't think the fans really see much difference with the strike going on than without it going on," the event’s co-producer, Dan Farr, told FOX 13. "Celebrities may choose to talk about it in their panels. They may talk about how important the strike is to them and what are some of the factors. But that's all fair game."

The family-friendly convention that runs from July 28-30 will offer a full lineup of activities related to comic books, magazines, toys, games, Star Wars, Star Trek, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, sketches and apparel.

READ: SAG-AFTRA actors' strike not impacting Tampa conventions, according to organizers

While the Tampa event will feature dozens of celebrity appearances, the online guest list does show five actor postponements, including Elijah Wood of Lord of the Rings.

Fans can dress as their favorite characters.

"We have had a couple of people that were announced early on that have had to cancel for one reason or another. But for the most part, the lineup is bigger than what we anticipated," Farr said.

Friday’s guest list does include Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin, who is also an executive member of the SAG-AFTRA national board.

"He understands the celebrities that are doing the conventions and meeting the fans and how important it is to keep that fan relationship going. So he's been one of the advocates to make sure that in the strike, that celebrities were not boxed out from being able to do conventions like this," Farr said.

READ: New exhibit at the University of Tampa examines the history of comic books

Sean Driscoll traveled to Tampa from Alaska to get autographs from several of his favorite actors. Driscoll told FOX 13 he kept a close eye on the online guest list, hoping the SAG-AFTRA strike wouldn’t have an impact on the event and force him to change his plans again.

"My son and I, we were looking forward to going to San Diego Comic Con, and because of all that, we decided not to," Driscoll said.

Fans will have the chance to explore hundreds of vendors.

SAG actor Catherine Sutherland said this is her first time attending the Tampa Bay Comic Convention as a celebrity guest.

"It's a bit of a slippery slope at the moment, because we're really trying to fight and get what's owed to actors and writers," Sutherland said.

While the Pink Ranger won’t be talking about any current or upcoming projects, she said it was important for her to show up this weekend.

"This is literally meeting fans and just being there for them. That's what we do this for, you know? So it's not about the studios, it's about the fans," Sutherland said.

Attendees can expect to see actors from "The Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," "Stranger Things," "Breaking Bad" and "The Mandalorian" at the convention.