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Chris Evans, who has emerged as one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors for both big budget and independent features, will make his Wizard World Comic Con debut at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, January 9. The Hollywood heavyweight will greet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and conduct a live Q&A session in this extremely rare appearance.
Evans will be joined at the event by fellow Captain America franchise stars Jeremy Renner ("Clint Barton/Hawkeye"), Hayley Atwell ("Peggy Carter") and Frank Grillo ("Brock Rumlow"), as well as directors Anthony and Joe Russo. Renner will also attend on Saturday, while Atwell, Grillo and the Russos are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9-10.
Evans can next be seen in Captain America: Civil War, the third installment of Marvel's Captain America franchise. He also starred in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the sequel to the highly successful Captain America: The First Avenger which was released in 2011. In each film, Evans reprises his role as the famed Marvel Comics character, "Steve Rogers," who transforms into Captain America after volunteering for a top secret research project in hopes of defending America's ideals. Both films grossed over $713 million each at box offices worldwide.
Recently, Evans starred in Bong Joon-ho's Snowpiercer opposite Octavia Spencer, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and Ed Harris. Set in a world covered in snow and ice, the film follows a train full of travelers who struggle to co-exist.
"The addition of Chris Evans brings the already stacked Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans guest list to a new level for our attendees," said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. "Captain America is one of the world's great franchises, and Chris has been its face for several huge blockbusters. Fans will want to take advantage of this extremely rare opportunity to meet this superstar."
"We are excited to head down to New Orleans to meet our fans," said directors Anthony and Joe Russo, "and are incredibly proud to be able to share the stage with the film's talented stars Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Hayley Atwell and Frank Grillo."
Two-time Academy Award nominee Renner also reprised his role as William Brandt in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. His nominations have come as Best Actor for The Hurt Locker in 2008 and Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Town.
Atwell, who plays the lead in the ABC TV series "Agent Carter," a spin-off featuring her role in the Captain America franchise, has appeared in numerous other TV shows both in the U.S. and U.K., and is an accomplished stage actress, having completed several long runs in leading British theatres.
Grillo is also known for his roles in Warrior, The Grey, End of Watch and The Purge: Anarchy. His TV work includes recurring spots in "The Shield," "Prison Break," "The Gates" and "Blind Justice."
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have produced and directed many critically acclaimed TV shows including "Arrested Development," "Community" and "Happy Endings." They received an Emmy for helming the "Arrested Development" pilot. The Brothers most recently directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier for Marvel. They are currently in post-production on Captain America: Civil War and will direct Avengers Infinity War Part I and II after that.
Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) opens its 2016 schedule with its sixth trip to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, January 8-10. In addition to Evans, Renner, Atwell and Grillo, other headliners on the celebrity roster include the "Doctor Who" trio of Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Jenna Coleman, "The Walking Dead" standouts Chandler Riggs and Steven Yeun, Ben McKenzie ("Gotham," "The O.C.") and William Shatner ("Star Trek," "Boston Legal").
Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The first event scheduled on the 2016 Wizard World calendar, New Orleans show hours are Friday, January 8, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, January 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, January 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character - and some never before dreamed - will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume CONTEST on Saturday night.
For more on the 2016 Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, visit http://wizd.me/NewOrleansPR.
About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard World, Inc. (http://www.wizardworld.com) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across NORTH AMERICA that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm (CIDM), and ComicConBox, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.
The 2015-16 Wizard World Comic Con schedule is available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html.
